Implementing the SDGs in Shared Basins through Intl. Water Law Stockholm, 24 th August 2015 Prof Owen McIntyre School of Law University College Cork National University of Ireland Linking Global Water Law & Sustainable Development

Themes Intl Water Law & Sustainable Dev –IWL: consensus re key rules and insts.; uncertainty re values (relative weighting) SDGs & International Water Law –Political commitment & legal framework Implications for International Water Law –Relevance and legitimacy Effective implementation of IWL (RBOs) –Key role of RBOs / institutions –Crucial for realisation of SDGs

Relationship btn Intl Water Law and Sustainable Development Convergence in Intl. Water Law [RBOs] –Accepted (if normatively uncertain) concepts: Art. 5 UNWC: Equitable & Reasonable Utilisation –Art. 6 UNWC: factors re ERU (econ, social, env values) –ERU ‘operationalises’ sustainable development –Vital human needs / human rights-based approaches Art. 7 UNWC: Prevent Significant TB Harm –Due diligence obligation re State conduct –Protection & maintenance of ecosystems Art. 8 UNWC: General Duty of Cooperation –Arts. 8, 9, 11-19, UNWC: procedural co-op –Central role of EIA and RBOs (Pulp Mills) –Framework / process for articulation of VALUES

Convergence: Global Water Resources Instruments 1997 UNWC 1992 Helsinki Convention 2008 ILC Draft Arts on TB Aquifers Equitable Utilisation Arts. 5,6 Art. 2.2(c)Arts. 4, 5 Duty of Prevention Art. 7 Art. 2.1Art. 6 Duty of Co- operation Art. 8 Arts. 2.6, 9, 11Art. 7, 16 Environ / Ecosystem Arts Arts. 2.2, 3Arts. 10, 11, 12 Prior Notification Arts Art. 9.2(h), (j)Art. 15.1, 15.2 Consult/ Negotiate Art. 17 Art. 10Art Exchange Information Art. 8 Arts. 6, 9.2(c), 13Art. 8 Dispute Settlement Arts Art. 22, Annex IVArt. 15.3

Convergence: Case Study - SADC Region Water Conventions Note: The OKACOM and LIMCOM Agreements are not analysed in detail as both Agreements are primarily concerned with institutional structure, powers and functions, rather than with setting down substantive and procedural obligations applicable to the parties. UNWC 2000 SADC Protocol ORASECOM Agreement Incomati- Maputo ZAMCOM Agreement Equitable Utilisation Arts. 5,6Art. 3(7)(8)Art. 7.2Art. 3(b)Arts. 12, 13,14.1 Duty of Prevention Art. 7Art. 3(10)Art. 7.3Art. 3(c)Art. 14.2, 4 Duty of Co- operation Art. 8Art. 3(5)Art. 7.1Arts. 4,5,7Art Environ / Ecosystem Arts. 20-3Art. 3,Art Arts. 6, 8Art Prior Notification Arts Art. 4Art Art. 13Art. 16 Consult / Negotiate Art. 17Art. 4Art. 8.1Art. 15(1)Art Exchange Information Art. 8Art. 3(6)Art. 7.4, 7.11Art. 12Art. 15 Dispute Settlement Arts Art. 7Art Art. 15Arts

SDGs and Intl. Water Law: Values Promoted under SDGs Goal 6: “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” –Target 6.3: By 2030 … reducing pollution, chemicals –Target 6.4: By 2030 … water-use efficiency, sustainable withdrawals –Target 6.5: By 2030 … IWRM at all levels, TB co-op –Target 6.6: “By 2020, protect and restore water- related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes” Cross-cutting goal: G1: Hunger; G2: Poverty; G3: Health; G4: Education; G5: Gender Equality; G7: Energy; G15: Ecosystems (ERU)

SDGs & IWL: Shared Values Focus: Water and Sanitation for All: –HRW & San CESCR GC15; VHNs UNWC Art 10 Focus: Sustainable Water Use: –Sust utilisation UNWC Art 5; Efficiency UNWC Art 6 Focus: Ecosystems Protection: –Env flows; ecosystem services / benefit-sharing Focus: Participatory Water Governance: –Procedural HRW & San reqs; EIA; Customary / IPs Focus: Transboundary Water Co-op: –Gen duty to co-op UNWC Art 8; HRW & San GC15

SDGs and Intl. Water Law IWL provides est. legal and inst. framework to support realisation of (non-binding) SDGs SDGs represent political commitment re values SDGs provide catalyst for continued dev of IWL norms, procedures, insts.(treaty & custom) –2 Work Streams: UNSG (global & nat. stakeholder consultations); OWG (rev. 30 UN States & NGOs) SDGs to be adopted by UNGA Resolution –implementation, monitoring compliance, etc. Implementation of IWL crucial to SDGs - RBOs

Options  Early cooperative engagement  Multi-step approach  Scope of notification to correspond to ESIA scope  One State responsible for notification  Open process: options for modification considered Elements for Implementation Thematic Policy Areas Notification and Consultation Mechanisms Basin Management Plans Standards for Environmental and Social Protection Equitable and Reasonable Utilisation International Water Law Prevention of Significant Harm Duty to Cooperate Harmonisation of TWM aspects Information and Data sharing mechanisms Factors  Strategic planning process  Involvement of senior RBO official  IFI involvement  Link process to existing legal obligations  Shared State interests in project Options  Existing national / IFI standards  Benchmarking to intl. Standards  Procedural standards most important  Bona fide stakeholders  Environmental Action Plans & Resettlement Action Plans  Environmental Flows Factors  Social equity  RBO mandate Options  Clarify Purpose(s)  Primary / Secondary Data  Decision Support Systems  Simpler Data-Sharing Solutions – contact  Sustainability of Systems  Regional Body / RBO Coordination  Inter-sectoral / Inter- organisational Data- Sharing  (Regional) Validation Platform  Sensitive Information Factors  Epistemic Community  Procedures / Protocols  External Support / Adequate Resources  Designated People/Tasks Options  Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis  Understand Process Drivers  Structured Inter-State Communication  Strategic Action Programme  Link to Other Sectors  Realistic Investment Plan  Decision Support Systems  Existing African Models Factors  Complex, lengthy and expensive planning processes  IWRM Planning Process  High Quality Data  Common Interests  Political Circumstances  Private Sector  Stakeholder Participation Options  Informal Harmonisation  National Water Policy  REC Regional Water Policy  Coherence between REC and National Water Policy  Continental Bodies AMCOW/ANBO  Other Harmonised Sectors – Trade/Energy  Clarify Aims & Extent – Subsidiarity  General Approaches – IWRM Factors  Regional Framework Agreements  Diverse Motivations  Epistemic Community  Political Will Initial Implementation Framework for River Basin Organisations

Conclusions SDGs – universal (political) commitment of States to progressive values inherent in core rules of IWL SDGs – incorporate concerns / views of broad range of actors (incl. non-State, etc.) and constituencies IWL provides essential legal and institutional framework for realisation of SDGs in shared basins SDGs – enhance relevance and legitimacy of IWL SDGs – potential for “transformational” effect on interpretation and continuing development of IWL Effective implementation of IWL (by RBOs) crucial to realisation of SDGs