GEO-6 Regional Assessment for Asia and the Pacific


4.4.4 South Asia sub-region


Scenario 1: Parched and unhealthy. “In South Asia, home to nearly 1.6 billion people, cities are increasingly feeling the pressure of population growth and urbanization. It is estimated that 22 of 32 Indian cities face daily water shortages. In Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, many local residents have grown accustomed to waiting in queues for hours to obtain drinking water from the city’s ancient, stone waterspouts. In Karachi, Pakistan, electricity and water shortages have led to protests and citywide unrest” (Surie 2015).


Scenario 2: Agricultural competition for water access. Under the conflict-world scenario of the Global Water Futures 2050, “agriculture expands and/or intensifies in all countries in an attempt to reach the maximum possible food self- sufficiency. The strong push to intensify/expand agriculture (including use of marginal and fragile lands) results in deforestation and encroachment of natural ecosystems and increases agrochemical pollution, affecting the quality of watercourses and contaminating aquifers. On the other hand, the growth rate of industrial pollution is contained because of the volatile trends in the general economy” (Gallopin 2012).


Scenario 3: Industrial and urban competition for water access. Groundwater elevation in Lahore, Pakistan’s second largest city, fell by up to 45 metres between 2003 and 2011. “The groundwater of Hyderabad has high concentrations of sulphates (>400 mg per litre) …, and the concentration of fluoride in deeper groundwater at certain locations is beyond permissible limits” (WWAP 2015b). Under the techno-world scenario of the Global Water Futures 2050, which pushes capitalism to its limits, “water resources become increasingly the most insurmountable limiting factor for future economic growth. Withdrawals reach peak value; all practicably accessible water courses are managed, and groundwater is pumped out to the limit of sustainability. The realization that the level of generalized water stress is reaching unsustainability thresholds leads to placing high priority on water use efficiency; however, the accomplishments are not sufficient to sustain global economic growth”.


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Scenario 4: Water and sanitation for all (efficient use of water through appropriate pricing and conservation). This relates to SDG 6 on water and sanitation. Target 6.1 on drinking water and Target 6.2 on sanitation are particularly relevant. All targets, however, are applicable to this sub-region’s water quality, water-use efficiency, transboundary cooperation, ecosystem management and community participation (Asia Foundation 2015). “Sustainability in the Asia and the Pacific region is intimately linked with progress in access to safe water and sanitation; meeting water demands across multiple uses and mitigating the concurrent pollution loads; improving groundwater management; and increasing resilience to water- related disasters” (WWAP 2015a; UNDESA 2015).


4.4.5 The Sustainable Development Goals and Asia and the Pacific highlights


The environment will play a key role in achieving the SDGs in this region since it provides the resources needed to sustain the economy and human health. Without a healthy environment and ecosystems, it will be difficult to achieve the SDGs and improve human well-being. Specifically, the goals on climate change, terrestrial ecosystems, oceans, sustainable consumption and production, water and energy are directly related to the environment. Environmental protection is also essential for other goals, including poverty reduction and health improvements. An integrated approach is necessary to achieve all the SDGs.


The SDG’s environment-related targets are shown in Table 4.4.2 along with some illustrative (but not comprehensive or systematic) environmental issues pertinent to Asia and the Pacific.


The SDGs are integrated by various links between the goals. In particular, most non-environmental goals include some environment-related targets. References to pollution and ecosystem services are distributed throughout the SDGs and targets. This integration helps the SDG framework address the key pressures and drivers of environmental degradation and stimulate environmental sustainability at different scales.


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