Interviews
Water governance vital for Bangladesh's growth
08 Feb '16
2 min read
Two reports by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Swedish clothing major H&M have found that the gap between water policy and implementation in Bangladesh is likely to affect the country's economic growth, the WWF said on its website.
The findings suggest that national ambitions such as improved living standards, food security and textile export growth depend on improving water governance.
WWF and H&M's collaboration on the two investigative reports in Bangladesh is part of a programme of engagement on water stewardship. One report, analyzing water governance gaps, was launched on 30 January 2016, and another report examining likely economic outcomes from varying water governance scenarios is planned for publication in April 2016.
WWF is working in partnership with fashion retailer H&M on an ambitious water stewardship programme, aiming to address water issues in China and Bangladesh as well as tackling H&M's own water use and impacts.
Bangladesh is a major producer of clothing for EU and US markets, and the apparel is vital for the Bangladesh economy. Currently, textile and leather processing is having significant negative impacts on water sources, leading to environmental degradation and potential health problems for people.
Interviews with communities, business, government and NGO experts identified promising opportunities to strengthen water governance in Bangladesh, in particular ensuring that regulations are properly monitored and enforced, water-related government bodies have clear mandates and reporting mechanisms, and that businesses, farmers and community members are included in decision-making on water.
Preliminary findings from the economic report show that the gap between water policy and implementation in Bangladesh is likely to affect the country's GDP, living standards, food security and textile export growth by 2030. They also suggest that taking decisive action on water governance could reduce health care costs and lost productivity due to lack of water and sanitation, reduce the cost of irrigation pumping for farmers, and protect textile production sites from running out of usable water in major industrial areas.
The WWF said that along with H&M, it will support the Water Governance and Sustainability work-stream created by the Bangladesh Water Multi-Stakeholder Partnership to support stronger water governance in Bangladesh. (SH)
The findings suggest that national ambitions such as improved living standards, food security and textile export growth depend on improving water governance.
WWF and H&M's collaboration on the two investigative reports in Bangladesh is part of a programme of engagement on water stewardship. One report, analyzing water governance gaps, was launched on 30 January 2016, and another report examining likely economic outcomes from varying water governance scenarios is planned for publication in April 2016.
WWF is working in partnership with fashion retailer H&M on an ambitious water stewardship programme, aiming to address water issues in China and Bangladesh as well as tackling H&M's own water use and impacts.
Bangladesh is a major producer of clothing for EU and US markets, and the apparel is vital for the Bangladesh economy. Currently, textile and leather processing is having significant negative impacts on water sources, leading to environmental degradation and potential health problems for people.
Interviews with communities, business, government and NGO experts identified promising opportunities to strengthen water governance in Bangladesh, in particular ensuring that regulations are properly monitored and enforced, water-related government bodies have clear mandates and reporting mechanisms, and that businesses, farmers and community members are included in decision-making on water.
Preliminary findings from the economic report show that the gap between water policy and implementation in Bangladesh is likely to affect the country's GDP, living standards, food security and textile export growth by 2030. They also suggest that taking decisive action on water governance could reduce health care costs and lost productivity due to lack of water and sanitation, reduce the cost of irrigation pumping for farmers, and protect textile production sites from running out of usable water in major industrial areas.
The WWF said that along with H&M, it will support the Water Governance and Sustainability work-stream created by the Bangladesh Water Multi-Stakeholder Partnership to support stronger water governance in Bangladesh. (SH)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India
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