need for a new approach
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Alberta’s Strategy for Sustainability presented to Prairie Water Policy Symposium Beverly Yee, Assistant Deputy Minister Alberta Environment September 23, 2005. Need for a New Approach. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Alberta’s Strategy for SustainabilityAlberta’s Strategy for Sustainability
presented topresented to
Prairie Water Policy SymposiumPrairie Water Policy Symposium
Beverly Yee, Assistant Deputy MinisterBeverly Yee, Assistant Deputy Minister
Alberta EnvironmentAlberta Environment
September 23, 2005September 23, 2005
Need for a Need for a New ApproachNew Approach We face changing and challenging times –
the way we manage the environment must respond to those changes and challenges.
Significant drivers for change Economic and population growth Complexity of environmental issues Information and knowledge Public expectations Ability to control environmental outcomes Traditional systems
Systems ApproachSystems ApproachKey elements of a systems approach are:
environmental outcomes that are agreed to across government and amongst stakeholders
policies that are integrated across all media (land, air and water) and across government departments
shared delivery of programs to better manage and protect the environment
good information and knowledge to support decision-making
monitoring, validation and reporting of results to the public on achievement of environmental outcomes
Five Strategic ShiftsFive Strategic Shifts Government-wide vision and shared
implementation across ministries
Shared responsibility with communities, organizations, technical experts and individuals
A place-based approach, across all media, looking at cumulative impacts
A comprehensive, flexible set of regulatory and non-regulatory tools and incentives
Continuous improvement in environmental performance and accountability
Developed with Albertans, released in November 2003
Dialogue on issues was very important
Results: increased awareness and understanding
of water-related issues
sense of shared responsibility by Albertans
comprehensive, long-term strategy focused on sustainability
Water for LifeWater for Life
Water for LifeWater for LifeSignals a ChangeSignals a Change From process to outcomes
From water management to watershed management
From regulating to shared governance
Water for LifeWater for Life - - OutcomesOutcomes Safe, secure drinking water supply
Healthy aquatic ecosystems
Reliable, quality water supplies for a sustainable economy
agreed-to outcomes
Water for LifeWater for Life – – Key DirectionsKey Directions Knowledge and research
Partnerships for watershed management and stewardship
Water conservation
Safe,Safe, Secure Secure Drinking Water SupplyDrinking Water Supply Drinking water facility assessment completed
Priority on regional water/wastewater systems
Source protection
Continuously improving standards
Health surveillance system for waterborne diseases
Report the quality of drinking water
shared delivery of programs
continuous improvement
monitoring and reporting
Healthy Aquatic Healthy Aquatic EcosystemsEcosystems Wetland policy and inventory
Determine aquatic ecosystem requirements What threshold amount of water is needed for a
healthy aquatic ecosystem? What are the incremental benefits of more water
in rivers? What are the incremental benefits of
withdrawing more water?
Monitor and report on the state of aquatic ecosystems
good information and knowledge
monitoring and reporting
Reliable, Quality Reliable, Quality Water SuppliesWater Supplies Evaluation of water storage sites
Transboundary agreements International Joint Commission
Prairie Provinces Water Board Mackenzie River Basin Board
Water allocation transfers
flexible tools
integrated policies
Knowledge Knowledge and Researchand Research Knowledge to make good decisions:
Scientific knowledge of groundwater and surface water resources
Understanding needs of aquatic ecosystems
Research on emerging issues: Climate change Impact of pharmaceuticals
Alberta Water Council developing a water research strategy
good information and knowledge
Partnerships for Partnerships for Watershed ManagementWatershed Management Three types of partnerships that have
distinct roles and are complementary to one another. Alberta Water Council - provincial
Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils - regional
Watershed Stewardship Groups - local
shared responsibility
place-based approach
Shared Governance Shared Governance for for Effective Water ManagementEffective Water Management
Alberta Water Council: Advise on provincial water management
issues
Steward implementation of Water Strategy
Develop approach to water conservation
Identify research priorities
Wetland policy
Shared Governance for Shared Governance for Effective Water ManagementEffective Water Management Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils
(WPACs) Develop watershed management plans - must be
integrated to include quantity, quality, ecosystem health, source protection and land use impacts.
Promote best management practices.
Report on state of the watershed.
WPACs in place WPACs in development
Oldman Lesser Slave Peace
Bow Battle Athabasca
North Saskatchewan
Cold Lake-Beaver River
Red Deer
Shared Governance Shared Governance for for Effective Water ManagementEffective Water Management Watershed Stewardship Groups
Educate Albertans and raise awareness on the watersheds they live in.
Undertake stewardship activities to improve and protect watersheds.
Water ConservationWater Conservation Ensure water efficiency and productivity improves by
30% improvement from 2005 levels by 2015
Sector plans for water use improvements (Advisory Committee on Water Use Practice and Policy)
Full cost accounting
Determination of the value of water in Alberta’s economy
Investigation of the merits of economic instruments
shared responsibility
flexible tools
integrated policy
Lessons Learned - Lessons Learned - SuccessesSuccesses Outcomes come first!
Breadth and depth of engagement of stakeholders
Public support – working with the media
Educating the decision-makers
Cross-Ministry buy-in
Shared governance model
Shift to watershed management
Lessons Learned - Lessons Learned - ChallengesChallenges Monitoring, validation and reporting
of results
Capacity-building – internal and external
Cross-Ministry coordination of implementation
What has changed with What has changed with Water for LifeWater for Life??
FROM TO
Government policies and direction not fully integrated
Clear, government-wide policy, directions and outcomes
Traditional command and control regulatory system
Much broader, innovative tools and approaches
Desire by Albertans to be involved in their community
Albertans have a greater opportunity to be meaningfully involved (local, regional, provincial)
Pockets of alliances with stakeholders that achieve results
Broad-based alliances with all parts of society to share responsibilities for outcomes
Meeting environmental standards Sustainability drives continuous improvement approaches
Goal: A management system that results in improved environmental quality and sustainability.