Landmark project launched at the Budapest Water Summit
The United NationsEnvironment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with the United NationsUniversity Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) andthe Global Water Systems Project (GWSP) launched the International WaterQuality Guidelines for Ecosystems (IWQGES) project at theBudapest Water Summit.The project is an attempt to improve thesustainable management of global water resources.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment found that aquaticecosystems are deteriorating faster than many other natural systems. Atpresent, international guidelines only exist for drinking water,recreational use, irrigation, livestock, and water reuse, among others.No comparable international water quality standards exist forecosystems. The aim of the IWQGES project is to develop a set ofvoluntary, science-based policy and technical guidelines to improve the frameworksfor sustainable management of the water resources and aquaticecosystems.
“Thequality of water in our ecosystems is a global concern. Itsdeterioration threatens to cause large-scale changes in water use,biodiversity, and ecosystem health and functioning that will affect usall,” said IWQGES project manager Prof. Dr. Janos Bogardi (GWSP). “Thisproject comes at a crucial time where comprehensive and practicalguidelines for water quality for our ecosystems are desperately needed.”
Thiscomprehensive project will address both issues of water quality,including chemical, biological, and biodiversity aspects and issues ofwater quantity including availability, changes over time and morphologyof bodies of water.
Clike here and here to learn more.
Image Source: UN Photo/Paulo FilgueirasRelated articles
