Seeking ways forward to balancing competing water needs
Environmental flows refer to water provided within a river,
wetland or coastal zone to maintain ecosystems and the benefits
they provide to people. As part of IUCN’s work on promoting
awareness and implementing environmental flows, the IUCN Water
Programme is supporting the International Conference on
Implementing Environmental Water Allocations (IEWA) in Port
Elizabeth, South Africa. From 23 to 26 February 2009, more than
300 participants from around the world gathered in Port
Elizabeth, South Africa, to discuss, learn and share experiences
on promoting sustainable use of rivers, wetlands, estuaries and
groundwater. The conference explored the science and politics of
how to balance water allocation that can support both
environmental and social needs. Despite increasing international
interest and advances in the science of environmental flows,
water for the environment is often an afterthought rather than a
priority. To kick off the week and get discuss