Editor’s choice
This policy brief focuses on a key shortcoming of commonly used definitions of ‘water productivity’: their narrow scope, which ignores many important benefits from water use.
Taking such an approach can result in water productivity gains in a single sector – usually agriculture – that are out of balance with landscape ecosystem services. Still, that has been the centre piece of water management efforts over the last decades, especially in agriculture.
There has been a focus on producing more ‘crop per drop’ or more ‘crop per $’, with little regard for the water needed to sustain non-agricultural ecosystem services in landscapes. This has been detrimental to the production of ecosystem services in all types of landscapes.
This policy brief, based on a report produced for the United Nations Environment Programme, explains key concepts, and suggests ways to build these insights into integrated water resource management (IWRM) practices:
Download the policy brief (PDF, 637kb)
Perspective / On World Glacier Day, Aljandra Melfo reflects on her experiences witnessing the loss of glaciers and "the life inside the ice" in Venezuela.
Feature / This International Day of Forests, SEI shares four insights into how forests support food security, climate resilience and sustainable cities.
Past event / SEI Africa researcher will showcase the application of the WEFE Nexus framework and SEI tools in advancing Ecosystem-Based Adaptation at a regional workshop
