1. E EEA Hydropower Workshop Lljubljana, 11-13 February 2013 The water-energy- climate «nexus» and freshwater ecosystems in the Western Balkans Angela Klauschen WWF International Mediterranean Programme Sustainable Hydropower

2. Shorter title Secondary information can go here XX-XX Month, Year Additional information can run Underneath if necessary Contents – What are the main implications of water-energy-climate nexus in the Western Balkans? – How will the nexus affect freshwater ecosystems in the Western Balkans? – What solutions does WWF propose to preserve freshwater ecosystems in the context of the nexus?

3. The nexus – an overview... 1. What are the main implications of water-energy- climate nexus in the Western Balkans?

4. Water demand, energy and freshwater ecosystems Increased incentives to the development of hydropower globally Growing pressure and impacts of water allocation (agriculture food / biofuels, cooling water for energy production, urban demand, industry, etc.) Both non-consumptive and consumptive use with significant impacts: economic, social and environmental Massive losses in freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem services 1. What are the main implications of water-energy- climate nexus in the Western Balkans?

5. Implications of climate change Climate change is a fact Climate change increases pressure and uncertainty Climate change will increase precipitation variability, temperature, extreme events (floods, droughts) Climate change has its most severe effects on freshwater systems: runoff, extreme events, water supply, fresh- water ecosystems 1. What are the main implications of water-energy- climate nexus in the Western Balkans?

6. In Europe... In the Western Balkans, climate change will entail: - decreases in water discharge - by up to 25% - by 2070 1. What are the main implications of water-energy- climate nexus in the Western Balkans?

7. Hydropower: a renewable and sustainable energy? Hydropower is powerful as a renewable energy as a potentially sustainable energy as a threat to freshwater ecosystems 2. How will the nexus affect freshwater ecosystems in the Western Balkans?

8. In the Western Balkans... Rising energy demand for development purposes Some countries energy supply relies for up to 80% on hydropower (i.e. Albania) Hydropower potential of rivers not yet exhausted Strong investor interest/ activity in the region (i.e. WB, EBRD) supporting dam construction Rising energy demand for development purposes Some countries energy supply relies for up to 80% on hydropower (i.e. Albania) Hydropower potential of rivers not yet exhausted Strong investor interest/ activity in the region (i.e. WB, EBRD) supporting dam construction 2. How will the nexus affect freshwater ecosystems in the Western Balkans?

9. In the Western Balkans... Hydropower again fashionable as a «clean» energy solution and as water storage + flood retention infrastructure Hydropower seen as a viable option for energy security and even to increase income through energy exports to neighbouring countries 2. How will the nexus affect freshwater ecosystems in the Western Balkans?

10. Freshwater ecosystems in the Western Balkans... On the other side... - very pristine, biodiverse freshwater ecosystems - but fragile and complex due to karstic nature of the area - highly sensitive to climate change On the other side... - very pristine, biodiverse freshwater ecosystems - but fragile and complex due to karstic nature of the area - highly sensitive to climate change 2. How will the nexus affect freshwater ecosystems in the Western Balkans?

11. Freshwater biodiversity the Western Balkans... 2. How will the nexus affect freshwater ecosystems in the Western Balkans?

12. Biodiversity Loss (State) Threats (Pressure) Root Causes (Drivers) Changing hydrological and flow regimes due to CC Drying out of wetlands Fragmentation of river systems Loss of freshwater species Changing natural processes Water resources over- exploitation Water infrastructure development, water regulation Wetland reclamation for agriculture Industrial, domestic, agricultural pollution Increased agricultural production for domestic markets Industry and tourism development Increased energy demand (nationally and internationally) Lack or not enforced institutional setting for IRBM/IWRM Insufficient systems of PAs Main identified threat: hydropower... 2. How will the nexus affect freshwater ecosystems in the Western Balkans?

13. WWFs freshwater priority areas under threat Livansko Polje Lake Skadar Hutovo Blato 2. How will the nexus affect freshwater ecosystems in the Western Balkans?

14. Overview 3. What solutions does WWF propose to preserve freshwater ecosystems in the context of the nexus? Sustainable hydropower for healthy ecosystems and water security Envisioning a sustainable, renewable energy future by 2050 Soft infrastructure vs hard infrastructure for adaptation to climate change

15. Making hydropower sustainable... 3. What solutions does WWF propose to preserve freshwater ecosystems in the context of the nexus? Some planning principles: Preserve critical natural assets, free-flowing rivers - the «Amazon» of Europe -, precious wetlands and related ecosystem services from development define zoning criteria and create no-go areas, choose dam sites accordingly Assess needs and best options use SEAs, master planning and sectoral policy integration Avoid cumulative impacts of infrastructure on one river/ ecosystem plan wisely using basin planning tools (IRBM, WFD, SEAs)

16. Making hydropower sustainable... 3. What solutions does WWF propose to preserve freshwater ecosystems in the context of the nexus? Some technical measures: Minimize environmental impacts through hard mitigation measures include e.g. fishladders, special intake towers in dams to be built/refurbished Respect natural flow regime needs of ecosystems (water quantity, quality, timing, temperature + sediments) implement environmental flows when designing and operating dams, avoid hydro-peaking Give priority to rehabilitation and refurbishing of existing infrastructure for increased energy output and improved environmental standards

17. Making hydropower sustainable... Some ideas for fair and inclusive decision-making: Provide credible information to the public & involve stake- holders to show that the planned infrastructure is the best option implement WFD, SEA, Aarhus Convention provisions Make sure all parts of society, incl. downstream users, are better off with than without the project conduct cost/ benefit analysis, SEAs, EIAs, etc. When in a transboundary context, countries sharing water basins in which new infrastructure is planned, should comply with the Espoo Conv., Kiev Prot., Aarhus Conv., UNECE Water Conv. Before approving loans/financial support, IFIs and donors should screen projects against their environmental standards (e.g. EU, WB performance standards, Equator Principles) 3. What solutions does WWF propose to preserve freshwater ecosystems in the context of the nexus?

18. The Dinaric Arc Sustainable Hydropower Initiative WWF's Mediterranean Programme works: in cooperation with its network, local NGOs, regional partner organisations (Transparency Int'l, GWP) and other stakeholders (EU, farmers, fishermen), independent experts to influence key decision-makers among water and energy utilities, international hydropower sector, IFIs, to adopt a sustainable approach to hydropower in the region by providing scientific information and capacity building, reminding commitments and legal requirements, allowing discussion and trust building, etc. to ultimately reach common understanding on sustainable hydropower in the region that works for people and nature 3. What solutions does WWF propose to preserve freshwater ecosystems in the context of the nexus?

19. Towards a sustainable energy mix... 3. What solutions does WWF propose to preserve freshwater ecosystems in the context of the nexus? - Energy can be sustainable by 2050 - Mix of renewables and energy efficiency – no nuclear, no conventional fuels (coal, oil, gas) but some biomass and... - Hydropower part of the energy mix, but limited increase - Need to look at real needs reg. energy generation - Need for change in consumption patterns (e.g. meat) and change habits (reduce footprint) - Energy can be sustainable by 2050 - Mix of renewables and energy efficiency – no nuclear, no conventional fuels (coal, oil, gas) but some biomass and... - Hydropower part of the energy mix, but limited increase - Need to look at real needs reg. energy generation - Need for change in consumption patterns (e.g. meat) and change habits (reduce footprint)

20. Soft versus hard water infrastructure for adaptation - Freshwater ecosystems often able to adapt to changing climate - high natural resilience, resistant to extreme events - provide «adaptation» services such as flood protection (buffer zones), water purification and storage = «soft» infrastructure - hard infrastructure too rigid, usually restricts or eliminates some of this natural resilience - Soft or green infrastructure can help combine control of water resources, restore flow regimes, rebuild natural climate resilience 3. What solutions does WWF propose to preserve freshwater ecosystems in the context of the nexus?

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