CREATING POLITICAL WILL FOR TRANSBOUNDARY BASIN COOPERATION IN MIDST OF CONFLICT LESSONS FROM THE JORDAN RIVER BASIN

Transcription

1 CREATING POLITICAL WILL FOR TRANSBOUNDARY BASIN COOPERATION IN MIDST OF CONFLICT LESSONS FROM THE JORDAN RIVER BASIN APRIL 2-3, 2014 HCM, VIETNAM

2 EcoPeace / FoEME EcoPeace /Friends of the Earth Middle East is a trilateral Jordanian, Palestinian, Israeli environmental peacemaking NGO. Harnessing bottom-up and top-down strategies FoEME advances these projects by publishing scientific and social research, national level advocacy campaigns and grassroots community development.

3 Transboundary River System Lower part of Jordan River divides into three political areas: Israeli: Sea of Galilee to Yarmouk River Jordanian-Israeli: Yarmouk River to Bezek Stream Palestinian-Jordanian: Bezek Stream to Dead Sea Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME)

4 The Lower Jordan River Rich in Cultural, Historical Heritage Holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims Unique Eco-System Meeting point for flora and fauna of three continents Migratory flyway for 500 million birds twice annually

5 The Historical Lower Jordan River Average annual flow of over 1.3 billion cubic meters including: Upper Jordan: 540 mcm Yarmouk: 480 mcm Side Wadis: 280 mcm Supported a wide variety of habitats/ rich biodiversity Israel Electrical Company Archives

6 The Mighty River Jordan

7 The Great Water Grab / Conflict Mindset

8 Back Door Dump / Conflict Mindset

9 Results of Conflict Mindset Over 95% of the Jordan River s flow is diverted by Israel, Syria and Jordan. Resulting in ecological devastation of the Jordan River system. Loss of cultural heritage/ tourism revenue.

10 Grassroots Community Model: Good Water Neighbors Established in 2000 Now includes 28 communities; 15 in the Jordan River / Dead Sea Valley Partner with municipalities, schools and community centers Creates local constituents in support of political leadership

11 Empowering Constituents: Youth Water Trustees

12 Empowering Constituents: Back Door to Front Door. Develop Neighbors Path Trails Media tours, site visits, Big Jump events... getting it on the public agenda

13 Empowering Constituents: JV EcoParks Ein Gedi EcoCenter, Israel Auja Environmental Education Center, Palestine Sharhabil bin Hassneh EcoPark, Jordan

14 Empowering Constituents: Community Leadership Big Jump! into the Jordan/Yarmouk River

15 Advance Regional Vision: Transboundary Jordan River Peace Park Draft Studies, Plans & Designs prepared Israel Min of Regional Coop Invests in Northern Gate Jordanian National Committee Est. Tour Operators List Site

16 Political Will: Municipal Leadership Sign MoUs

17 More Media Attention

18 Leverage Concrete Solutions Auja - new water network, cutting 50% water loss

19 Create Higher Level Political Will US Senate Resolution supporting regional effort to rehabilitate the Jordan River passed unanimously November 2007 EU Parliament Resolution 2010 Israeli Knesset 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013 Jordan Parliament 2011 & 2012 PLC member discussions 2011& 2013

20 Gain More International Support

21 Prepare Studies: Environmental Flow Study undertaken by a Regional Expert Team Sarig Gafny, Ecologist, Ruppin Academic Center Samer Talozi, Hydrologist, Jordan University of Science and Technology Banan al Sheikh, Botanist, Al Quds University Regional Advisory Committee

22 Possible Rehabilitation Scenarios Scenario Required Flow Required Quality Take No Action X 10 6 m 3 /Y Salinity: ppm Mostly effluents, agricultural and fishpond runoff Full Restoration 900 1,400 X 10 6 m 3 /Y 3 minor flood/y Partial Restoration X10 6 m 3 /Y 1 minor flood/y River Rehabilitation X10 6 m 3 /Y 1 minor flood/2y Flow Enhancement X10 6 m 3 /Y 1 minor flood/2y Salinity: ppm No effluents, agricultural or fishpond runoff Salinity: ppm No effluents, agricultural or fishpond runoff Salinity: ppm High quality effluents, agricultural and fishpond runoff up to 25% of baseflow Salinity: ppm Mostly effluents, agricultural and fishpond runoff

23 Set NGO Targets: Regional Rehabilitation Goal mcm annually, one minor flood Salinity level less than 750 ppm; primarily fresh water with only the highest quality of effluents allowed up to 25% of the LJR's base flow This strategy would remove most of the disturbances, restore the river's structure and function, allow biodiversity to recover and achieve a fair to high ecosystem integrity and health. Regional Advisory Committee

24 Set NGO Targets: Amounts required by each country to meet annual rehabilitation goal To implement a rehabilitation strategy requiring at least 400 mcm per year, the following quantities would be needed annually: Israel 220 mcm (54%) Syria 100 mcm (24%) Jordan 90 mcm (22%) Palestine would not be asked to contribute water rather it needs to receive riparian share of Jordan River waters. Regional Advisory Committee

25 Undertake More Studies: Economic Study Conclusions 914 million cubic meters of water can be saved/produced in Israel, Jordan and Palestine at less than the marginal cost of water. Part of which, from Israel and Jordan, can be utilized to meet the rehabilitation goal for the Lower Jordan River. Draft Cost Benefit Study shows that rehabilitation makes economic and environmental sense.

26 More Political Will Created: Developing a Master Plan Israeli Government initiates Master Plan for rehabilitation from the Sea of Galilee to Green Line Jordan and Israel create sub committee for Jordan River rehabilitation under terms of Peace Treaty Together with SIWI and GNF Launch NGO Regional Master Plan on all sides, including Palestine - raising the bar. First Baseline Study just released

27 2013: Rehabilitation of Lower Jordan River... underway Sewage Being Removed: Waste Water Treatment Plants being Built Israel $60 million investment. Jordan North Shuna part solution Palestine Jericho plant off the ground Israel Releases Fresh Water 30mcm pa

28 Expand Constituents: A Tradition of Pilgrimage For many pilgrims the Jordan River features prominently along routes connected to Biblical and Islamic texts, drawing visitors to the places where miracles occurred and prophets walked. Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME)

29 Continue to Promote Regional Vision: Palestine FoEME advocates for the equitable distribution of water resources, access to the river and a share in its benefits. Access to develop tourism and economic opportunities benefit economy and communities. Show link to broader political peace process Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME)

30 Creating Political Will for Cooperation: The Case of the Lower Jordan River! Civil society can be effective catalyst Need regional approach and regional vision Build local constituents schools / mayors across the basin Undertake sound research environmental & socio-economic Identify clear targets and bench marks Mindful of synergy between bottom up and top down advocacy Political will created along the way For more information visit