Partnerships on Policy Research Zafar AdeelUnited Nations UniversityInstitute for Water, Environment and Health

Overview• Policy-relevant research gaps for water-energy nexus

• Information & data gaps

• Risks & opportunities in research partnerships

• Questions to the panel

Challenge Areas for Nexus Research - 1

1. Identifying and quantifying tradeoffs» Disconnects in policy development» Analysis of asymmetries

2. Benefit-sharing» Estimating leveraged benefits» Linked sharing in transboundary situations» Benefits to climate change adaptation (and mitigation)

3. Risk analysis» Understanding linked risks: climate change, water security,

societal instability, economic crises» Quantifying and valuating risks

Research Investments - Energy

RD&

D I

nves

tmen

tsU

S$ ,0

00 (2

012)

Source: IEA

Water Research, Public •EU

•European countries

∧& water

Challenge Areas for Nexus Research -2

4. Development agenda» Post-2015 development agenda – interlinked targets» Economic and policy instruments – connecting across scales» Consideration of social equity – bottom billion» Dynamic, interlinked modeling and scenarios

5. Resource efficient technologies» Assessing inefficiencies – contextual comparison across technologies» Financing and enabling technologies

Information & Data Gaps• Disparity in energy-water data availability/access• Water resource and quality data in shared basins• Triple bottom line accounting in energy sector

– Valuation of water

• Linked pricing of water and energy

Risks and Opportunities in Research Partnerships

• Risks– Skewed public perceptions (fracking, dams, biofuels)– Asymmetries, lobbies over-riding public interests

• Opportunities– Driving policy agenda– Economic boost and alternative livelihood creation– Improving public consumption patterns

Key Questions for the Panel1. What are the key knowledge gaps in the water-energy nexus?

• Tradeoffs, benefit-sharing, risk analysis, development agenda, technologies• How does the sectoral asymmetry further amplify these gaps?

2. What are some good (and bad) examples of research that:• Address challenges and inform policy formulation at the water-energy nexus? • What lessons can be learnt from these collaborations?

3. What are new modalities for partnerships between the scientific community, governments, private sector? 1. Can these be used to justify and enhance the engagement between the water

and energy sectors?