Managing Water, Soil and Waste Resources to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals

166 Pages·2018·3.29 MB·English

by  Stephan Hülsmann

Stephan Hülsmann 
Editors
Reza Ardakanian
Managing Water,
Soil and Waste
Resources to
Achieve Sustainable
Development Goals
Monitoring and Implementation of
Integrated Resources Management
Managing Water, Soil and Waste Resources
to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals
ü
Stephan H lsmann Reza Ardakanian
(cid:129)
Editors
Managing Water, Soil
and Waste Resources
to Achieve Sustainable
Development Goals
Monitoring and Implementation of Integrated
Resources Management
123
Editors
StephanHülsmann Reza Ardakanian
UNU-FLORES UNU-FLORES
Dresden,Sachsen Dresden,Sachsen
Germany Germany
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Contents
The Nexus Approach as Tool for Achieving SDGs:
Trends and Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Stephan Hülsmann and Reza Ardakanian
KeyStrategiestoAchievetheSDGsandConsequencesforMonitoring
Resource Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Stefan Bringezu
The Urgent Need to Re-engineer Nitrogen-Efficient Food Production
for the Planet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Ilje Pikaar, Silvio Matassa, Korneel Rabaey, Bronwyn Laycock,
Nico Boon and Willy Verstraete
Participatory Processes and Integrated Modelling Supporting Nexus
Implementations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Alex Smajgl
Games for Aiding Stakeholder Deliberation on Nexus Policy Issues. . . . 93
Junko Mochizuki, Piotr Magnuszewski and Joanne Linnerooth-Bayer
GovernanceofWater-Energy-FoodNexus:ASocialNetworkAnalysis
Approach to Understanding Agency Behaviour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Mathew Kurian, Kent E. Portney, Gerhard Rappold, Bryce Hannibal
and Solomon H. Gebrechorkos
Integrated SDG Implementation—How a Cross-Scale (Vertical) and
Cross-Regional Nexus Approach Can Complement Cross-Sectoral
(Horizontal) Integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Holger Hoff
v
About the Editors
Stephan Hülsmann is an Academic Officer at UNU-FLORES where he leads the
SystemsandFluxAnalysisconsideringGlobalChangeAssessmentunit.Hestudied
Biology in Göttingen, Kiel and Lund (Sweden) and graduated (Diplom) in
Göttingen, Germany. He obtained his Ph.D. at Technische Universität Dresden
(integratedwaterqualitymanagementinreservoirs),followedbyaresearchproject
attheNetherlandsInstituteofEcology(NIOO)oftheRoyalNetherlandsAcademy
of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). After returning to TU Dresden, he worked as a
senior research scientist in the interdisciplinary Hydro Sciences Department,
Institute of Hydrobiology, prior to assuming his function as Project Officer at the
UNU Vice Rectorate in Europe and UNU-FLORES. His research focuses on
integrated water and watershed management, nutrient fluxes, and on responses of
environmental systems to stressors such as eutrophication and climate change,
usingsystemsanalysisapproaches,modelling,aswellasexperimentalapproaches.
Reza Ardakanian of Iran is the Founding Director of UNU-FLORES. He has
servedasDirectoroftheUN-WaterDecadeProgrammeonCapacityDevelopment
hostedbyUNUsince2007andservedasVice-RectorofUNUinEuropefrom2009
to 2011. He has been on the boards of various international programmes/
organizations such as the UNESCO International Hydrological Programme, the
UNESCOInstituteforWaterEducation,theInternationalHydropowerAssociation,
and the UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security. He holds a Ph.D. in
WaterResourcesManagementfromMcMasterUniversity(Canada)andisaFaculty
Member of Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, Iran. He held a number of
national offices in Iran, including Deputy Minister for Water Affairs (2001–2005),
SeniorVice-Minister(1998–2001)andDeputyMinisterforPlanningandEconomic
Affairs (1989–1991) with the Ministry of Energy, and Deputy Minister for Urban
DevelopmentandMunicipalitieswiththeMinistryofInterior(1987–1989)andhas
beenapprovedasMinisterofEnergyofIraninOctober2017.
vii
The Nexus Approach as Tool
for Achieving SDGs: Trends and Needs
StephanHülsmannandRezaArdakanian
Abstract TheNexusApproachisincreasinglyevolvingintoanintegrativeconcept
which bridges sectors and considers interrelated resources in an unbiased way to
achievesustainableresourcesmanagement.Nexus-orientedresourcesmanagement
isthusimperativeforachievingtheUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoals
(SDGs).Theotherwayaround,aresourceperspectiveonthenexusshouldbehelpful
giventhatvirtuallyallSDGsimplyandrelyonsustainableresourcesmanagement,in
particularaddressingwater,soil,andwaste.TheinterrelatednessofSDGsprovides
anotherstrongcaseforaNexusApproach.Herewebrieflylayoutthebackground
and conceptual outline of the book, addressing key aspects of nexus implementa-
tion including monitoring of resource use, closing cycles of key elements, utilize
proven methods of stakeholder participation and its mapping and monitoring and
mainstreamingofthresholdsandpoliciesacrossscalesandgovernmentallevels.We
then summarise these key aspects addressed in subsequent chapters and highlight
theinterrelations.Overall,thisvolumeprovidesastrongcaseforstrengthenedmon-
itoring frameworks and for close involvement of all stakeholders in the process of
implementing a Nexus Approach. It adds to the ongoing process of consolidation
anddiversificationoftheNexusApproachandprovidesspecificrecommendations
ofhowtoadvanceit.
1 Introduction
The nexus concept is progressively evolving as the integrative approach which
bridgessectorsandconsiders interrelatedresourcesinanunbiased waytoachieve
sustainableresourcesmanagement.Itbuildsuponearlierintegrativeconceptswhich,
however, still had a single-resource perspective [for example, Integrated Water
B
S.Hülsmann( )·R.Ardakanian
UnitedNationsUniversityInstituteforIntegratedManagementofMaterialFluxesandof
Resources(UNU-FLORES),Dresden,Germany
e-mail:[email protected]
©UnitedNationsUniversityInstituteforIntegratedManagement 1
ofMaterialFluxesandofResources(UNU-FLORES)2018
S.HülsmannandR.Ardakanian(eds.),ManagingWater,SoilandWasteResources
toAchieveSustainableDevelopmentGoals,https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75163-4_1
2 S.HülsmannandR.Ardakanian
Resources Management (IWRM) (Global Water Partnership (GWP) 2009)] and
incorporates various simultaneously evolving research initiatives and management
concepts eventually converged into the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus. Men-
tionedforthefirsttimeinrelationtoresourcesmanagement duringthe1980s,the
term “nexus” gained prominence in this context particularly since the year 2000
as reviewed by Scott et al. (2015), providing a historic perspective of the Nexus
Approach.TheseauthorsemphasisethattheWEFnexusindeedrepresentsacom-
prehensive concept of integrated resources management which captures the inter-
linkagesofwater,energy,andfoodatmultiplelevels.Theyarguethat“thenexusis
fundamentallyaboutresourcerecovery,closingtheloopandcapturingtrueefficiency
gains”.Itisalso,however,aboutmitigatingtrade-offsandpromotingsynergies.As
such,theNexusApproachthusrepresentsapathtowardssustainabilityandindeed
itsrelevanceforsustainabledevelopmentandatransitiontogreeneconomywasa
majorfocusoftheBonn2011conference(Hoff2011),whichmarkedanimportant
milestonefortheNexusApproachtobecomeinternationallyrecognised.
Since 2011 the Nexus Approach has, despite some concerns and criticism (e.g.
Wichelns2017)consolidatedasaconceptbutatthesametimediversified,whileit
isacknowledgedthatthebasicconceptisfarfromnew.Infact,ithasbeenargued
thatevenancientcivilisationsunderstoodandpractisedtheNexusApproachwhen
cultivating their land (Lal 2016). Among the added or alternative perspectives on
the WEF nexus is to look at the other side of the coin, asking which resources
have to be managed in a sustainable manner to achieve the sought water, energy,
andfoodsecurityputforwardattheBonn2011conference?Thisaspecthassince
its inception in 2012 been emphasised by the United Nations University Institute
forIntegratedManagementofMaterialFluxesandofResources(UNU-FLORES).
A kick-off workshop in 2013 in Dresden, Germany elaborated on these ideas and
proposedtofocusonwater,soil,andwaste(HülsmannandArdakanian2014).The
governanceaspectoftheNexusApproachwasaddressedinabookwhichemerged
from that workshop (Kurian and Ardakanian 2015). The Nexus Approach to the
sustainablemanagementofwater,soil,andwasteemphasisestheinterrelatednessof
thesethreeresourcesalongwiththecycleofresearchtoimplementation.This“Dres-
denNexus”,promotedinparticularintheDresdenNexusConferenceserieswhich
emergedfromthe2013workshop(DNC),isstronglyrelatedtotheWater,Energy,
and Food Security Nexus (Hoff 2011), but emphasises the resources perspective
(HettiarachchiandArdakanian2016a).
Focusingonthechallengesposedbydifferentaspectsofglobalchange(climate
change,urbanisation,populationgrowth)onenvironmentalresourcesmanagement
a recent series of papers explored how a Nexus Approach may help to cope with
them(HettiarachchiandArdakanian2016b).Aclearconclusionwasthatapplying
aNexusApproachiskeyforthesustainableuseofenvironmentalresourcesunder
conditions of global change. It will, therefore, be instrumental for achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (United Nations 2015), which will frame
theinternationaldevelopmentagendaforthecomingyears.
TheNexusApproachasToolforAchievingSDGs:TrendsandNeeds 3
2 TheNexusApproachandSDGs
WhiletheimportanceoftheNexusApproachforachievingtheSDGscanbededuced
ratherstraightforwardlyfromconceptualconsiderations,themorecomplexquestion
remainshowtoadoptandimplementit.WiththeadoptionoftheSDGsinautumn
2015 the overall targets related to resources management are clear. Many of the
SDGsareinterrelated,whichalreadypointstotheneedforaNexusApproach.The
sustainable management of environmental resources is of particular relevance for
goal2(Zerohunger),goal6(Cleanwaterandsanitation),goal7(Affordableand
clean energy), goal 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), and goal 15 (Life on
land),butstronglinksexistalsotolessresources-relatedSDGs(seeBringezu2018).
A common theme and potentially strong integrator is therefore the need for moni-
toringstrategiesreflectingtheNexusApproachandtheSDGs.Thesestrategiesand
the respective data are crucial to be able to evaluate any advance towards sustain-
able environmental resources management and achieving SDGs and have to be a
decisivecomponentofpoliciesandguidelinesfortheimplementationofintegrated
managementapproaches.
GiventhatsustainableresourcesmanagementwillbemandatoryforUNMember
StatesinthecontextofSDGs,thereisastrongneedtofocusindepthonmonitoring
and implementation strategies. Issues related to data requirements as well as data
quality and efficient data management, strengthening of monitoring programmes,
andoffeedbackloopstoresourcesmanagement(toassessadvanceandsuccessof
implementingintegratedmanagementapproaches)arecriticalinthisregard.More-
over, governance frameworks for integrated resources management, incentives for
resourcerecoveryandefficiency,andtheeconomicframeworkfacilitatingtheimple-
mentationofsustainableenvironmentalresourcesmanagementstrategiesneedtobe
establishedand/orstrengthened.
3 TrendsandNeedsforImplementationofaNexus
Approach
WithrespecttotheNexusApproachasatoolforachievingSDGs,thecontributions
to this book focus on various key aspects of monitoring and implementation
strategies,takingsomeongoingtrendsfurtherandrespondingtoneedsaselaborated
below. They were conceptualized to provide food for thought for participants of
the Dresden Nexus Conference 2017 (DNC). This second issue of DNC aimed
to provide a platform to discuss the state of the art related to “SDGs and Nexus
Approach: Monitoring and Implementation”. Emphasis was placed on providing
examplesofnexusresearch—criticallyrelyingonmonitoringofresourceuse—and
implementation through case studies and integrating participatory approaches to
fosterinvolvementofallparticipants(gamingsession,WorldCafé).
4 S.HülsmannandR.Ardakanian
To set the stage, the second chapter elaborates on “Key strategies to achieve
theSDGsandconsequencesformonitoringresourceuse”(Bringezu2018).Taking
a systems perspective, Bringezu first explores how monitoring based on Material
FlowAccountingeffectivelylinksresourceusewithitsenvironmentalimpacts.Key
indicators related to the use of land and water resources, of material extraction,
use and consumption, and GHG emissions cover the major pressures on resource
useandobviouslyreflectthemanagementofwater,soil,andwaste.Applyingalife
cycleperspective,theseindicatorstranslateintofootprints,whichprovedparticularly
useful when comparing the performance of countries with regard to sustainable
resource use. Putting this into perspective at a global scale implies that countries’
resource use is to operate within limits set by their respective share of the safe
operatingspace(Rockstrometal.2009)fortherespectiveresource.
WithregardtotheimplementationofSDGsitisapparentthatasustainableuseof
resourcesisaprerequisitetoachievethem,sinceindeedalltopicalgoalsaredirectly
related to natural resource use as Bringezu points out. A basic question is how to
achievegoalswhichemphasizesustainablesupplyofresourcessuchasSDG2(food,
agriculture),6(water)and7(energy)withoutcompromisinggoalswhichaddressthe
preservationoflife-sustainingsystems,forexamplegoal13(climate),14(oceans)
and 15 (terrestrial ecosystems). The inherent trade-offs as well as synergies are
apparentevenbetweentargetsofsingleSDGs.ThisholdsforSDG6whichisabout
water supply (target 6.1), but also addresses protection and restoration of water-
related ecosystems (target 6.6). Increasing resource productivity, but also closing
cycles by fostering reuse and recycling are key for minimising trade-offs or even
turning them into opportunities. Monitoring the outlined footprints is essential for
evaluatingtheeffectivenessofresourcepoliciesacrossscales.Tothisend,Bringezu
proposesspecificinstitutionaldevelopmentstobeconsidered.
Aconcreteandspecificexampleofhowclosingcyclesandincreasingresource
efficiencymayhelpachieveSDGsandstaywithin—orratherreturnto—planetary
boundariesofsustainableresourceuseisgiveninChapter“TheUrgentNeedtoRe-
engineerNitrogen-EfficientFoodProductionforthePlanet”byPikaaretal.(2018).
Addressing a key challenge of sustainable development, ensuring food security as
capturedinSDG2,theyarguethatre-engineeringthenitrogencyclewithinthecon-
textoftheNitrogen/Water-Waste-EnergyNexusisessentialforachievingsustainable
solutions. With the invention of the Haber-Bosch process a century ago, convert-
ing atmospheric nitrogen into reactive nitrogen, a major limiting factor in agricul-
turalfoodproductionwasneutralisedandultimatelyenabledthemassivepopulation
growtheversince.Negativesideeffects(externalities)ofmassiveN-fertilisationare
nowadaysevidentandcurrentanthropogenicnitrogenflowsareclearlybeyondthe
safeoperatingspace(Rockstrometal.2009).
Sustainable solutions ultimately require restoring the link between the nitrogen
andthecarboncycles.Pikaaretal.promote(i)theuseofHaber-Boschnitrogenfor
proteinproductionbymicrobesforhumannutritionand(ii)itsupgradeintoslow-
release fertilisers. Both measures would help to close the nitrogen cycle. Another
measuretothisendistherecovery ofnitrogenfromwastewater andother organic
waste.Inthenexuscontext,thesetechnologicalandengineeringopportunitiesneed