One of the best solutions to tackle these issues is to increase ecological efficiency (eco-efficiency) in water infrastructure in countries, which can play a central role in pursuing sustainable development. This eco-efficiency approach for water infrastructure could be supplementary to the traditional approach, mainly focusing on water supply management (e.g. construction of physical water infrastructure like dams, reservoir, hydropower plants, water distribution networks, and other water facilities).
Most of the new approaches including eco-efficient approach for water infrastructure require different perspectives, mindset, and disciplines incorporating social sciences, economics, psychology, sociology and education, as well as awareness, expertise and capacity building to develop strategy, planning design and implementation. In this regard, there are urgent needs for raising awareness, building capacities and setting of clear goals and guidelines for eco efficient water infrastructure through research, country need assessment, consultations, training and workshop activities.
In this connection, ESCAP initiates the Project on the “Development of Eco-efficient Water Infrastructure in Asia and the Pacific” in 2008, which is funded by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in order to enhance the awareness; develop the strategy and guidelines for development of eco efficient water infrastructure; and find appropriate policy options and methodologies to effectively integrate the eco efficiency concept into water policy planning process of countries.
Objectives
Policymakers introduce policy options and develop strategic plan to integrate the water resources management into the socio-economic development process through eco-efficient management of water infrastructure. The intermediary objectives are as follows;
To strengthen capacity development on the planning and implementation for eco efficient water infrastructure in countries
To facilitate the partnerships and networking in the region through sharing knowledge, experiences, technologies and lessons learned
To foster the change of mindsets and enabling environments toward eco efficient water infrastructure
Researches on challenging issues, status of water infrasturcture devleopment, and the need assessment of capacity building and institutional strengthening on eco-efficient water infrastructure development in the region
Organize the national workshops with the implementation of country study projects for capacity building on eco-efficient water infrasturcture development
Organize three regional workshops to share knowledge, experiences and lesson learned among countries in the regiona including implementation country study projects
Design and implementation of pilot projects on eco-efficient water infrasturcture in selected countries to demonstarte the eco-efficiency
Development of project website, CDs, brochures and posters for sharing knowledge, experiences, and lesson learned of the project
First Regional Workshop was conducted in Korea, November 2008 in order (1) to reach the common understanding on the concept of eco efficient water infrastructure development, and the benefits and challenges in water infrastructure development; (2) to discuss and review the commonly accepted strategy for the implementation of this project on eco efficient water infrastructure development so as to maximize the impacts to countries in the region and to achieve the concrete outcomes/outputs; and to build the regional partnership on eco efficient water infrastructure development through networking of organizations and experts in the region
Implementation of sub-country projects started in Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Bhutan. This include the development of a strategy to integrate eco-efficiency into the national development process of water sector as well as the development of guidelines for the integration of specific eco-efficiency measures into the development of water infrastructure depending on the local requirements and conditions.
Consultations and country workshops are organized and conducted in countries to exchange views with key stakeholder regarding the implementation of developed strategy and guidelines on eco efficient water infrastructure, to identify the prioritized pilot programmes and plans to apply the eco-efficient approaches, and to submit them to top policy makers for adoption and further implementation.
Development of new project website - www.ecowaterinfra.org and linked to other good website such as green growth portal and water sensitive urban design approaches
Share the progress and achievements of the project through the active participation in international events like 5th World Water Forum in March 2009, Singapore Water Week in June 2009, AOGS-2009 in Singapore
Brochures and posters of projects were made to share the concept of eco efficiency, various activities of the projects, the progress and achievement of the project including sharing of knowledge and experiences
Researches are conducted such as compilation of good practices on water resources planning and management, generic guideline for eco efficient water infrastructure and indicators for eco efficient water infrastructure
in Asia and the Pacific