The Okavango: addressing environmental concerns Anton Earle Stockholm International Water Institute

Key points One of the last undeveloped rivers in Africa Basin states have socio-economic development objectives Cooperation to ensure protection of the environment

Rainfall in Okavango basin Human population density in Okavango basin (Both maps from Mendelsohn & el Obeid, 2004)

Flow Contributions 4

Total annual flow = 10,000 million cubic metres Drivers of Change: Economic Environment Social Demographic Policy, law, institutional Technology Climate change Econ development and electricity scarcity Environment – conservation zones creating conflicts with local communities. Shifts in delta naturally Social – services sector such as tourism growing, large scale agriculture Headwaters region may be re-settled Legal - recognised through intl agmts such as Ramsar Technology – run of river hydro, deep boreholes Change in flow regime Total annual flow = 10,000 million cubic metres

Balancing Future Development Ecosystems Development Large-scale irrigation Hydro-power generation Water transfer to Windhoek Communities across basin Botswana eco-tourism

GEF-EPSMO project developed scenarios for future development and impacts Based on proposed basin developments Present 2,700 ha irrigation, urban water demand in three centers Low Increased urban consumption due to Angolan resettlement. 21,000 ha irrigation. One storage and three run-of-river hydro stations. Medium 205,000 ha irrigation. One storage and four run-of-river hydro stations. One interbasin transfer of 17 Mm3 per annum High 350,000 ha irrigation. One storage and nine run-of-river hydro stations. Extended interbasin transfer of 100 Mm3 per annum. Additional urban water development scheme. Climate Change Dry Driest climate change scenario Wet Wettest climate change scenario

Development scenarios for the Okavango River (EPSMO-GEF)

Two Main Development Impacts in the Delta Increase in nutrients Blocking of sediments travelling on the annual flood-pulse

OKACOM Okavango River Commission formed in 1994 including all 3 states of main basin, Technical advisor to the Parties (states) Aims for the sustainable development and management of the resources of the river, Agreement in 2007 to form a secretariat Agreement in 2010 on sharing hydrological data

OKACOM Structure OKACOM COMMISSION 3 Commissioners per country Angola, Botswana & Namibia Okavango Basin Steering Committee (OBSC) Institutional Task Force Biodiversity Task Force Hydrology Task Force OKACOM Secretariat Executive Secretary Direct OKASEC Contractees Communication and Information Specialist, Finance Officer, Administration Officer, Secretary Seconded Technical Staff

Basin-wide Forum Through a long-term project stakeholders living in the basin in all 3 countries have formed a forum Allows them to discuss issues of common interest Reflects reality of shared culture, languages, trade etc between communities in basin BWF now has permanent observer status in OKACOM – can attend meetings raise issues but not vote Secretariat has an obligation to share information with stakeholders.

OKACOM Impact Trust between the basin states Information and data exchanged Multi-lateral approach adopted No infrastructure built Status-quo maintained Little impact on poverty

In negotiation processes you will have to think about a management strategy and you need to consider the following approaches to negotiations that you will have within your group: Win/win Compromise win some /loose some Competition ( I WIN you LOOSE) Avoidance (loose/ loose )

Anton Earle anton.earle@siwi.org Stockholm International Water Institute, SIWI www.siwi.org