Guido Ypenburg

Information assessment in the water-energy nexus domain:

To WWF, the relationship between water and energy is highly relevant: protecting freshwater rivers and stream is vital to their mission and vision. These systems however are, at the same time, highly affected by the impacts of the energy industry and underpin most forms of energy production, whether directly or indirectly.

 

For some forms of energy, such as hydropower, impacts are relatively well documented, but for others water is, at best, considered as an afterthought. The cumulative impacts of meeting energy demands on freshwater ecosystems within a hydrological unit, such as a watershed is rarely assessed. This includes not only energy generating facilities but also fuel production (mining, drilling, fracking, land use for biofuels), transportation (pipelines and power lines) traffic etc.

 

WWF is seeking to address this gap in knowledge and seeks to commission research that will analyse

the various impacts of energy related developments on freshwater biodiversity, and its capacity to deliver ecosystem services, on a river basin scale.

 

Prior to the above mentioned analysis Guido Ypenburg carried out an information assessment to determine the extent of the gap in knowledge in terms of:

• What is known about the effects of the various energy production methods (EPM) on the water systems.

• What are the important global and local economic drivers for developments in energy mix in relation to a “business as usual” and a “100% sustainable” scenario.

• What are the consequences for freshwater biodiversity.How can we quantify these consequences temporal and spatial.​

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The main objective is to ensure freshwater biodiversity is well represented in the water and energy nexus discussion, globally and in particular river basins and is based on a sound scientific foundation. This research will help inform WWF freshwater goals, and help prioritize conservation efforts such as protection of Free Flowing Rivers (FFR), ensure Environmental Flows (EF) and protection of wetlands.