Session 8: Water planning to support the transition towards green growth

Convener: Ebro River Basin Authority (CHE)
Date: 5 October 2011
Time: 11:30 – 13:00
Place: Plenary Room

Speakers and panelists

• Overview of the session: Mr. Manuel Omedas, Head of the Plamning Office, CHE
• Discussion with panelists:
  Case 1. Lao PDR: Ms. Chongchith Chantharanonh, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
  Case 2. Korea: Ms. Yoon-Jung Cha, Office of National River Restoration, Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs.

Overview of the tool

This overview introduces reforms for green jobs and explains how they can act as a tool for change in supporting the transition to a green economy. It reflects on challenges faced, how the tool helps overcome the challenges, and lessons learnt from implementation.

Cases in the Plenary

• Case 1: Water planning in LAO PDR

  This case introduces water planning within the framework of IWRM that is a key instrument for tacking pressures on water resources in Lao. This planning framework focuses on participatory planning, and involves cooperation between riparian countries for management of the Mekong River Basin. The planning practice lead to the guarantee of maintenance and recovery of water quality through better enforcement of regulations, maintenance of the water quality and quantity flowing to the Mekong delta and reduction in floods risks.

• Case 2: The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project
  This case describes a river restoration program, which is to restore the Han River, Nakdong River, Geum River and Yeongsan River to provide water security, flood control and ecosystem vitality. The project will also prevent natural disasters, such as floods and droughts, protect the environment and promote historical and cultural tourism. The project seeks to achieve, by 2012, a 90 percent increase in water quality (BOD less than 3ppm) by expanding sewage treatment facilities and establishing green algae reduction facilities. More than 929 km of national streams will be restored as part of the Four Major River Restoration Project. It is expected that the project will create 340,000 jobs and generate an estimated KRW 40 trillion of economic benefits..

Case studies table

This table includes cases presented during the conference as well as additional cases which illustrate successful implementation of the tool. These will contribute to the preparation of input for the Rio+20 conference.