Balancing conservation and development – pay attention to rural and backward areas
China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research
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Academic institution
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#SDGAction50846
Description
Objective: Pay attention to the conflict between the conservation and development of water resources in backward areas, promote the balanced development of river basins, and ensure the fulfillment of the core commitment to “leaving no one behind” in sustainable development.
Issue: Balancing conservation and development is a key issue for water resources management. Rural areas represented by river source regions are usually characterized by a harsh environment, fragile ecology, underdeveloped transport network, and sparse population, and protect water sources for downstream water security at the expense of lack of economic development. As a result, these regions are economically backward and face problems in conservation and development. Therefore, water and sustainable development in rural and backward areas deserve more attention.
Measures:
In view of difficulties such as geographical differences, conflict in water allocation, upstream and downstream conservation, and cross-administrative district management, comprehensive measures must be adopted. The measures include increasing financial investment, establishing mechanisms, making technological innovation and carrying out cooperation among departments, etc., and are used properly in combination.
Fiscal measures: Regard government investment as the central fund to promote infrastructure construction, enhance the regions’ development capacity, particularly the benefits from resource development, increase ecological compensation for protection of resource environment, and increase multi-channel international assistance.
Mechanism building: Establish cross-industry and multi-stakeholder coordination mechanism to resolve conflict between funding and policy support for industry departments. Establish a system of ecological compensation for areas concerning sacrifices and benefits for water resources protection, and increase technological guidance and financial support for green development in river source areas and rural areas.
Technological innovation: Strengthen technological innovation and application, and solve the structural conflicts between conservation and development, such as implementing circular economy model, renewable energy development, efficient water conservation, and reduction of waste water in river source areas.
Follow-up mechanism: Establish an evaluation system to evaluate the achievements in water resources protection and balanced development in river basins with the participation of upstream and downstream areas, assess the feasibility and efficiency of measures, and provide reference for management results and policy adjustments.
N/A
IWHR, IRTCES, UNESCO-IHP, GWP, IAHR, ICID, INBO, UNICEF, AWC
SDGS & Targets
Goal 6
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
6.1
By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
6.1.1
Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services
6.2
By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations
6.2.1
Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water
6.3
By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
6.3.1
Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treated
6.3.2
Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality
6.4
6.4.1
Change in water-use efficiency over time
6.4.2
Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources
6.5
By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate
6.5.1
Degree of integrated water resources management
6.5.2
Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation
6.6
6.6.1
Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time
6.a
6.a.1
Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan
6.b
Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management
6.b.1
Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management
SDG 14 targets covered
Deliverables & Timeline
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress
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Timeline
Entity
SDGs
Region
- Global
Other beneficiaries
Economic and industrial departments in poor rural areas, communities and residents in remote areas such as river source regions, ethnic minorities or indigenous peoples, women and children
Website/More information
Countries
Contact Information
Yanwei , Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Division of China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research
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