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Sustainable Water Management and the 2030 Agenda: Comparing Rain Forest Watersheds in Canada and Brazil by Applying an Innovative Sustainability Indicator System

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  • Maria Inês Paes Ferreira

    (Research and Innovation Pro-Rectory—Vocational Doctoral Program in Modeling and Technology for the Environment Applied to Water Resources, Instituto Federal Fluminense, 357 Cel. Walter Kramer Street, Vera Cruz Park, Campos dos Goytacazes 28080-565, RJ, Brazil)

  • Graham Sakaki

    (Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC V9R5S5, Canada)

  • Pamela Shaw

    (Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC V9R5S5, Canada)

  • Thaís Nacif de Souza Riscado

    (Research and Innovation Pro-Rectory—Vocational Doctoral Program in Modeling and Technology for the Environment Applied to Water Resources, Instituto Federal Fluminense, 357 Cel. Walter Kramer Street, Vera Cruz Park, Campos dos Goytacazes 28080-565, RJ, Brazil)

  • Luis Felipe Umbelino

    (Research and Innovation Pro-Rectory—Vocational Doctoral Program in Modeling and Technology for the Environment Applied to Water Resources, Instituto Federal Fluminense, 357 Cel. Walter Kramer Street, Vera Cruz Park, Campos dos Goytacazes 28080-565, RJ, Brazil
    Research and Innovation Pro-Rectory—Master’s Program in Environmental Engineering, Instituto Federal Fluminense, Macaé 27932-050, RJ, Brazil)

Abstract

Watershed management varies greatly across the world. Local conditions are generally dictated by how watershed management is regulated at national, regional, and local scales. Both multisectoral and community-based participatory involvement in watershed management can positively impact the quality and effectiveness of outcomes. This localization can also be vital to the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. In recent years, the term “sustainability” has become overused, has limited quantifiable meaning, and can create “fuzzy” targets. We suggest that an outcome that focuses on “thrivability” is more appropriate; this refers to the ability to not only sustain positive conditions for future generations but to create conditions that allow for all living things (present and future) to have the ability and opportunity to thrive. A thrivability approach aligns with the 2030 Agenda’s ultimate goal: prosperity for all beings on earth. This study uses a thrivability lens to compare two study sites. Primary and secondary data were collected for both the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), Canada, and Hydrographic Region VIII (HR-VIII), Brazil, and have been input and analyzed through our Thrivability Appraisal to determine each region’s watershed thrivability score. The Thrivability Appraisal uses seven sustainability principles as the overarching framework. These are then related to four individual subcomponents of watershed health and three common interest tests based on primary environmental perception and secondary technical data as inputs. Assuming the centricity of water for prosperity, the final scoring is a culmination of the 49 total indicators. A comparison is then drawn to the regions’ capacity to achieve the eight targets for UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6. The outcome illustrates each region’s water management strengths and weaknesses, allowing for lessons to be learned and transferred to other multijurisdictional watersheds.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Inês Paes Ferreira & Graham Sakaki & Pamela Shaw & Thaís Nacif de Souza Riscado & Luis Felipe Umbelino, 2023. "Sustainable Water Management and the 2030 Agenda: Comparing Rain Forest Watersheds in Canada and Brazil by Applying an Innovative Sustainability Indicator System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:20:p:14898-:d:1260412
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