Presentation on Lessons from partnerships of policy research, by Zafar Adeel, Director United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), at 2014 UN-Water Annual International Zaragoza Conference. Preparing for World Water Day 2014: Partnerships for improving water and energy access, efficiency and sustainability. 13-16 January 2014.

1. Partnerships on Policy Research
Zafar Adeel
United Nations University
Institute for Water, Environment and Health

2. Overview
• Policy-relevant research gaps for water-energy nexus
• Information & data gaps
• Risks & opportunities in research partnerships
• Questions to the panel

3. Challenge Areas for Nexus Research - 1
1. Identifying and quantifying tradeoffs
» Disconnects in policy development
» Analysis of asymmetries
1. Benefit-sharing
» Estimating leveraged benefits
» Linked sharing in transboundary situations
» Benefits to climate change adaptation (and mitigation)
1. Risk analysis
» Understanding linked risks: climate change, water security,
societal instability, economic crises
» Quantifying and valuating risks

4. Research Investments - Energy& water
RD&D Investments
US$ ,000 (2012)
∧
Water Research, Public
•EU
•European countries
Source: IEA

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Key Questions for the Panel
1. 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?
1. 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?
1. 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?