Greater Mekong Forum, Oct. 21-23, 215

Trans-boundary Water, Food and Energy Nexus

Perspectives and lessons from the Nile Basin/East Africa

Simon Langan –Focal Region Coordinator

Zadoc Ogutu –Focal Region Manager

S/Sudan

Main Areas of Concern

•  Innovative practices to address current and future crises �  Demographic expansion/youth bulge, �  Energy and food shortages, �  Climate variability and change

•  Demand for basin-wide investments that recognize trade-offs – GERD, Rusumo Falls HEP and Rumela-Burdana dams

•  Models of NRM interventions that enhance gender and social equity

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)

What is needed?

•  Tools/mechanism for enhancing water use –agriculture, domestic and industry

•  Working through partnerships - Mobilising funds for multi-purpose investments and infrastructure is hard without co-operation

•  Sharing evidence on good practices with partners (EAC, NBI, LVC, IGAD) - Prioritize TBW in programs

•  Building individual and organization capacities

•  Primary data and analysis for integrated solutions (biophysical, socio-economic)

Irrigated Agriculture

Flood management

Watershed Management

Regional Transmission System

Local Community Infrastructure

Hydromet System

Hydropower

Water-Energy-Food nexus Solutions

Fisheries & aquaculture

From Single Output … to Multiple Interests

W-E-F Nexus C’D

•  From sharing water (quantity) to sharing benefits - incentives for cooperation

�  Direct economic: from the river productive use e.g. irrigation/food

�  Reducing costs: because of river e.g. conflicts

�  Indirect economic: beyond the river e.g. regional integration

�  Environmental: to the river e.g. water quality & biodiversity

WLE NBEA Project Sites

Sudd Swamp

White Nile

Categories: Cluster 1: Trade-offs in Development of NRM Cluster 2: Alternative solutions for SLM

Cluster 3: Governance and social equity

Key Research Questions

1)  How can we ensure that investments in food, water and energy are sustainable and meet regional, national and sub-national growth and poverty goals?

2)  What are the political and economic contexts, drivers and governance arrangements that will affect NRM use over the coming decade?

3)  What development solutions strengthen the position of women and young farmers

Integrate WLE gender and ecosystem services perspectives, databases and tools (KAS)

Engage and dialogue (Attitude)

Strengthen the capacity in gender and ecosystem services (Skills)

Document and share lessons (knowledge)

Expected Research outcomes

1)  Improved awareness, knowledge and skills in ecosystem services and gender equity among national and regional organizations

2)  Adoption of inclusive approaches in agricultural and infrastructural development by the NARs and universities, and investors /development and partners

3)  Government Ministries and organizations responsible for NRM consider the trade-offs for better decision making on ecosystems services and social equity

Indicators towards Outcome 1

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Inventory reports/Data bases created

Technical reports released

NRM interventions assessed

Testing of innovations

Scientific publications/journals…

PhD/Masters Theses released

Training /workshops conducted

Policy briefs

Progress Reports

Curricula/module/ tool kits developed

Number of universities, local authorities, government Departments/ Ministries making informed decisions

Indicators towards Outcome 2

0 5 10 15 20 25

Stakeholder consultations

Joint plans/strategies/protocols

Policy processes

Methodology/models/tools developed

Decision support tools developed

Consultative meetings - women, investors, partners

Gendered approaches promoted

Adoption of inclusive approaches in agricultural and infrastructural development by the NARs and universities, and investors /development and partners

Indicators towards Outcome 3

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5

Land use scenarios

New NRM Approaches

Investment criteria developed

Government Ministries and organizations responsible for NRM consider the trade-offs for better decision making on ecosystems services and social equity

Bright & Hot spots in 9 months •  Initiated collaboration with

partners & next users

•  Integration of science (inter- and intra-project collaboration)

•  Raising awareness on ES approach

•  Enhancing gender and social equity research

Challenges in 9 months

•  Integration of WLE projects with other flagships (and links to other CRP’s)

•  Moving towards outcomes & evidence

•  Deepening stakeholder engagement – 2 projects in the heart of politics (VWU & Nile Water Accounting)

•  Working across regions

Conclusions

•  WFE nexus is constrained by population and economic growth

•  Nexus is a difficult choice facing policy-makers – win-win situation to avoid favoring one pillar over the other

•  Inclusive investment analyses in development of TBW programs (balancing water demands for electricity and food) are key in mitigating strains in the nexus

•  The need for science-based evidence to inform policy decisions has never been greater

•  Opportunity for cross-basin learning – Mekong, Volta & Ganges