Plan Bleu activities
2006-2007: Plan Bleu has been mandated to carry out the monitoring of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD) and more in-depth in 2006 - 2007 priority field "integrated resources management and water demands ". For that, it mobilized its regional partners and worked out an activity work plan. More information…
Water topic received in 2005 an in-depth analysis in the new Plan Bleu report: "A sustainable future for the Mediterranean".
Water is priority issues of sustainable development in the Mediterranean region that the Plan Bleu, in its quality of prospective centre and Mediterranean observatory of the Environment and Development of UNEP/ Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), took into account since its creation. More information…
Observation: 108 million "water-poor" people
Water in the Mediterranean region is a rare, fragile and unevenly distributed resource. Water demands are increasing, with agriculture as the main water-consuming sector. It accounts for 65% of the total demand in the Mediterranean Basin (48% in the North and approximately 80% in the South and East). In numerous Mediterranean countries water use is approaching the limit level of available resources.Momentary or structural water shortages have been observed. In 2000, 108 million people - living in countries with access to less than 1,000 m3 per capita per year - formed the water-poor populations. 45 million people suffer from water shortage, i.e. with access to less than 500 m3 per capita per year. Water supply in several Mediterranean countries is endangered by both the over-exploitation of a part of the renewable underground water (generating salt-water intrusion, which makes the water unusable) and the exploitation of non-renewable resources (including fossil water).In addition to the stress on natural water resources, man-induced degradations and pollution also impact the water regime and quality, thus further limiting the possibilities of use.
Such situations increase:
• The vulnerability of supply due to rising costs (water treatment is required).
• Health risks (the quality of distributed water is a growing concern).
• Conflicts of use (between users, major sectors, regions or countries).
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THE FIGURE
24 %
In 2000, estimations in the Mediterranean Basin indicated that water losses, which could be limited by better management, represented 24% of the demand (estimated at over 190 km3).
THE GRAPH
Water resource exploitation indices
in 2000
in 2025
EXAMPLE OF GOOD PRACTICES
Tunisia has stabilized or secured water demand.
Tunisia undertook a national water-savings strategy at an early stage for both urban and agricultural needs. In so doing, it confirmed a cultural ‘oasis’ tradition of the frugal and patrimonial management of water resources, so rare in Tunisia. Thanks to this policy, water demand for irrigation has been stabilized for over 6 years, despite increasing agricultural development, seasonal peaks in demand and unfavourable climate conditions (droughts). The water demands of tourism (a source of foreign currency) and cities (a source of social stability) have been secured.
The underlying principles of the Tunisian strategy are:
• moving from isolated technical measures to an integrated approach;
• a participatory approach which makes the users more responsible (960 water-user associations were created covering 60% of the irrigated public area);
• gradual introduction of reforms and adaptation to local situations;
• financial incentive mechanisms to promote water efficient equipment and technologies (purchases equipment subsidized at 60%);
• supporting farmers’ income, to allow them to plan for and secure agricultural investment and labour;
• a transparent and flexible pricing system, aligned with the national goals of food security, leading to gradual recovery of costs.
Source: Plan Bleu, M. Hamdane, Fiuggi, 2002.
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The foreseeable future: depletion of water resources
Pressures on water resources will increase significantly in the South and East, and it is expected that, by 2025, 63 million people in the Mediterranean will be limited to less than 500 m3 per capita per year (defined as the “shortage” threshold). The increase in water demand for agriculture and for urban use and the scarcity of resources signify that one out of every three Mediterranean countries will withdraw over 50% of the annual volume of its renewable natural resources. The percentage of unsustainable water supplies derived from fossil sources or from over-exploitation will grow (up to 30% in Malta or Libya).
The rise in the demand for water will be steepest in the least water-rich countries, which will then be exposed to structural shortages. Under these circumstances, some fossil resources will rapidly be depleted and coastal aquifers further destroyed by salt-water intrusion. Moreover the silting up of water retained in dams limits their lifespan (e.g. dams in Algeria have lost a quarter of their original capacity), and there are fewer and fewer sites on which to build new dams. Growing quantities of industrial and urban waste and reduced run-off resulting from increased extractions will also affect the quality of water and aquatic systems, and of their biodiversity. It is likely that wetlands will continue to retract. These elements further aggravate the factors leading to increasing water vulnerability (costs, health and conflicts).
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Alternatives: managing water demand, and not only the supply
Observations and the prospective have shown that increasing the supply, which has been the traditional response in Mediterranean water policies, is now reaching its limits.
In response to this situation, water-demand management can lead to major progress by limiting losses and inappropriate use (leaks, waste) and by ensuring more efficient use of the resource. This demand management alternative could lead to savings of nearly 54 km3 , or 24% of the total demand in 2025 (estimated at 210 km3), and result in stabilizing the water demand in the Basin at least at its 2000 level.
The highest savings in volume could be made in the irrigated agriculture sector, representing nearly 65% of the total potential water savings identified in the Mediterranean (upgrading equipment, improving the organization and operation of irrigated areas, etc.). In the cities, 15% of potential savings may be expected from the supply of drinking-water if leaks that sometimes exceed 50% are fixed. The advent and use of clean technologies in industry also represent strong potential for savings. These objectives are “win-win”, when compared with traditional supply side approaches. They limit environmental impacts, risks of conflicts and the costs of access to water, and generate regional potential for economic growth and stability. |
