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RoadmapA Proposed Convention onWater as a Human Right
Proposed Convention on
Water as a Human Right
Ministerial BriefingChris Ferguson-martin & Tim shah
A proposed International Water Convention March 22,
2010Erst-4610H
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The Issue
There is limited access to clean, fresh water for billions
ofpeople throughout the world
This Will Get Worse Population Growth
Climate Change
Water Quality
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Background
2.8 million deaths per yearGlobally
1.1 billion have no access to clean
water
dirty water = 80% of all sickness &
disease
Unsustainable consumption
Inequities
Global Issue
But no Global PolicyIndia, UNEP, 2007
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Canada & Water
Canada has lots of Water 20% of the Worlds Fresh Water
Canada uses a lot of water 343 l/p/d
Weak National Policy Federation Issues
Shared Water with US
No Leadership for Cities
Harder to act internationally
Opposed to water as a Human Right Voted Against UN Declaration
NAFTA Concerns
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
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StakeholdersNGOs
Council of Canadians Pacific Institute
World Water Council
GovernmentAll Levels All Countries
International United Nations
World Bank
World Trade Org
Private Sector
Water Companies Farmers
World Business Council on Sustainable
Development
Local & Indigenous Knowledge Indigenous Environmental
Network
Farmers
Subsidiarity
Outside Thinkers Academia
Think Tanks
Faith Systems
Latin American Council ofChurches
Religious Texts
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Option 1
World Water PriceGlobalized Water Market
Global Price of Water
Proponents
Market Liberals
Pros
nco ra es conser ation
Takes Press re off Water ste s
ser-Pa
li inates isparities
o rce of e en e
ons
Ine it Inaccess
o Local tono
nco ra e Trade Pri atization
o is t e Price et?
Opponents
ocial Greens
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Option 2
Water as a Human Rightegal ntitlement to safe clean fresh ater
for e er one in the orl
o conomic rice
roponents ocial reens
an ational o ernments
ros
uarantee Access
on-Discriminating
Human Rights carr more eight
Qualit of ife
Cons
Costl
Onl Resi ential Users
Doesnt ncourage Conser ation
Doesnt al a s ork
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Option 3
Water as Property RightEveryone legally entitled to a finite
amount of water as their property to use at their
discretion
Some for free Pay for more
Pros
Access & Conservation
Efficiency & Equity
Decentralized Ownership
Encourage Infrastructure Maintenance
Cons
Privatization ( )
Nothing in Practice
Still need governance
Environmental Damage
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Recommendations
Establish an Effective National Water
Policy to act internationally
Establish an International Water
Governance Framework
Recognize water as an economic good for
conservation
Introduce Pilot Projects to explore water as
a property right
