Answering Europe’s growing need for integrated water management
Sustainable water management doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires water to be considered in connection to energy, food and ecosystems. Helping to illustrate those connections is the RETOUCH Nexus(opens in new window) project. “The project aims to design and promote integrated and inclusive ‘Nexus smart’ water governance schemes that secure Europe’s water future in the face of climate change,” explains Maria Vrachioli(opens in new window), a senior researcher at the Technical University of Munich(opens in new window) (TUM), the project’s coordinating partner. To achieve this, the project is using the water, energy, food and ecosystems(opens in new window) (WEFE) Nexus, a framework designed to address complex resource challenges. “With WEFE Nexus, we move water governance from a siloed, sector-specific approach to one that is integrated and coordinated across sectors,” adds Vrachioli. “In doing so, we hope to reconcile conflicting interests while also leveraging existing and emerging opportunities.”
Europe’s diverse water challenges
With WEFE Nexus in hand, the project conducted six case studies(opens in new window), selected to reflect Europe’s diverse water challenges. During each case study, researchers developed indicators, models, governance arrangements and innovative engagement processes. The team then worked with local stakeholders to test and refine the proposed solutions. One of those case studies took place in Valencia, Spain, an area facing frequent and severe droughts due to water scarcity, irregular hydrology and the over-exploitation of groundwater. Historically, such scarcity issues were addressed by allowing greater use of available resources. But this approach has nearly exhausted the Júcar River basin, the region’s primary water source. To find an alternative solution, the project used the WEFE Nexus framework to develop efficient water governance and economic tools that can be used to better balance water use with energy production, agriculture and environmental sustainability.
Putting policy into practice
In addition to its first generation of ‘Nexus smart’ socio economic and environmental indicators and tools, the project offers a free-of-charge and easy-to-use monitoring framework(opens in new window) that makes cross sector water trade offs visible for decision makers. Researchers also produced comparative analyses of governance and policy coordination(opens in new window), which are available via an easy-to-navigate dashboard. Last but not least, the project delivered innovative stakeholder engagement roadmaps organised in a comprehensive engagement toolkit(opens in new window). Taken together, the project’s deliverables provide very concrete guidance and proven solutions for improving water governance in practice. “We don’t just talk the WEFE Nexus talk, we walk the walk by translating abstract ideas into concrete economic instruments, decision support tools and engagement formats that practitioners can actually use,” remarks Vrachioli. This guidance has been compiled into detailed policy briefs(opens in new window).
Secure water services and healthier ecosystems
The RETOUCH Nexus project is on track to provide Europe with a comprehensive, Nexus-based water governance solution, one that will include indicators, analytical frameworks, economic instruments, participatory mechanisms and IT tools. “I am confident that we will equip authorities with the tools and networks they need to design more climate-resilient water systems, more efficient economic instruments, and a more innovative and participatory governance environment,” concludes Vrachioli. “The end result will be more secure water services and healthier ecosystems.” The project is currently working to up- and out-scale its tested governance schemes and economic instruments and to integrate them into existing policies. It is also coordinating its results with other WEFE Nexus related EU-funded projects such as InnWater and GOVAQUA.
