PLAN 597
During the last class we talked about the innovative approach to IWRM being taken in Europe under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) adopted in 2000. Today we will examine the progress being made in its implementation. The first reading provides a summary of the origins of the WFD and its major components. The second reading gives you a useful one-page summary of the schedule for compliance by the Member States with each component of the WFD. The third reading provides links to each of the progress reports that have been produced by the Commission of the European Communities. The fourth link is to the Commission's summary implementation progress report released a year ago.
The first Supplementary reading provides a link to a short basic overview of the EU if you are not familiar with how it is established and operates. The second link is to an article that is a most interesting description of the parties involved and the steps in the negotiations that led up to the final approval of the WFD. Understanding this history gives insights into the unfolding story of the implementation of the WFD.
Please note that I have added the response of Asit Biswas to the comments by Bruce Mitchell and two other commentators to WebCT.
Readings
Introduction to the new EU Water Framework Directive (WFD)
WFD Timetable for Implementation
Transposition and Reporting - progress in the Member States
Towards sustainable water management in the European Union
Supplementary Readings
An introduction to the EU - brief, more detailed
Kaika, M. 2003 The Water Framework Directive: A New Directive for a Changing Social, Political and Economic European Framework, European Planning Studies 11.3: 299-316 (Available in WebCT)
Discussion
In small groups and then plenary we will discuss the implications of the experience with implementation of the WFD for a national strategy on the implementation of IWRM in Canada.
Finalization of Analytical Exercise 3.