Cooperating for better management of transboundary river and lake basins
The Water and Nature Initiative (WANI) worked in more than 12 river basins in over 30 countries worldwide, unlocking the potential for healthy river basins to build climate resilience and to sustain ecosystems and livelihoods.
The initiative stands for the management and protection of our water reserves and heritage for the future benefit of all. From the Pangani river at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa to the mighty Mekong river in Asia Tacanà river in and the towering volcanoes along the Central America, WANI demonstration projects are supported by the development of tools for financing, governance, empowerment and information.
The WANI initiative ran from 2001 – 2012.
Goals and objectives
In its field projects WANI involved local communities, research organisations, expert networks, governments and non-governmental organisations to turn the principles of ecosystem management into sustainable solutions.
The WANI results’ report, titled “Water Vision to Action, Catalyzing Change through the IUCN Water & Nature Initiative”, is the compilation of actions coordinated in the field and knowledge accumulated from over 10 years of global WANI work.
Find below some examples of solutions that WANI implemented across the world.
IWRM
IWRM (Intergrated Water Resources Management) system uses “learning-by-doing” approach to innovate and adapt water resources management actions, tools and technologies.
Biodiversity Conservation
Through WANI (Water & Nature Initiative), IUCN has supported the development of a number of freshwater biodiversity assessments, highlighting the status of species, and the ecosystems and livelihoods dependent upon them.
Infrastructure
Water, energy and food security rely on water infrastructure. The interaction between water, energy and food production and use – the nexus – has led to new demands for water infrastructure and technology solutions.
Learning and Knowledge
IUCN Global Water Programme supported learning and innovation in IWRM (Intergrated Water Resources Management) based on best practice around the world and lessons from WANI demonstration basins, sharing knowledge and experience builds capacities that empower stakeholders.
Good Governance
Poor water governance results in degradation and over-allocation of water resources, is a cause of vulnerability for poor people and leads to weaker and less resilient livelihoods and economic growth.
Climate Change Adaptation
Ecosystems are maintained as infrastructure that reduces vulnerability to floods, droughts and storms under water governance that empowers water users in decision making.
Environmental Flows
IUCN defines environmental flows as the water provided within a river, wetland or coastal zone to maintain ecosystems and their benefits where there are competing water uses and where flows are regulated.
News
Stay updated on our progress
Publications
Reports, case studies and handbooks
