Water Science and Policy
Good science is essential for good policy.
The partnership between IISD’s Water Program and IISD-ELA brings together more than 40 years of rigorous aquatic science with 25 years of global policy analysis and practical guidance. Our combined expertise in hydrology, modelling, biology, limnology, ecosystem services and policy is directed at helping governments and industry to manage water and related resources in such diverse contexts as agriculture, hydro-electric operations and mining, to minimize effects on people and ecosystems.
With the best available science and collaborative analyses, our water solutions are evidence based, long term and meet the needs of a range of stakeholders.
- Blog
How Will Cannabis Legalization Affect our Fresh Water?
The world’s freshwater laboratory is a very busy field station these days—with ongoing studies examining algal blooms, climate change, selenium...
Read More - Policy Brief
IISD Experimental Lakes Area Response to Ontario’s Commitments to Freshwater Protection in Preserving and Protecting our Environment for Future Generations: A Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan
IISD-ELA's response to the Government of Ontario’s Environment Plan that sets out necessary steps and goals to achieve a more sustainable future for the province.
Read More - Discussion Paper
IISD’s Response to Manitoba’s Proposed New Water Rights Regulations to Protect Wetlands and Make Drainage More Sustainable in the Province
IISD's response to the Government of Manitoba's proposed drainage regulations aimed to ensure no net loss of wetland benefits while streamlining the drainage permitting process.
Read More - Report
Case Study Research on Offsets for Water Quality Management
This case study research examines six water quality trading/offset programs from Canada, the United States and New Zealand and provides lessons relevant to offsetting nutrients, specifically phosphorus and nitrogen, in Manitoba.
Read More - Blog
Why Public Policy Matters When It Comes to Gender Equality for Sustainable Development
Cold statistics on gender equality in government reveal only part of the story; the cultures and processes behind the stats can teach us much more about where we are headed.
Read More - Report
Lake Dal in Srinagar, India: Application of the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology for the analysis of conservation options
The report presents the interim results of the SAVi analysis for developing the business case for the long-term conservation of Lake Dal in Srinagar, India.
Read More - Blog
We Must Study Marijuana's Impact on the Environment Before It's Too Late
How could marijuana impact freshwater supplies? The focus on human health with Canada’s legalization has highlighted the lack of discussion on the potential environmental effects.
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Freshwater Lakes’ Pollution Problems Go Beyond Plastics
Focusing solely on plastic pollution ignores the myriad problems — from algae to pollution — that plague our lakes
Read More - Report
From Canada’s Lakes to the World: IISD Experimental Lakes Area Annual Report 2017-2018
In this year's IISD-ELA annual report, we explore the impact that our research has had on the world’s fresh water over the last 50 years, what the future holds, and how we are celebrating our half century.
Read More - Report
Using Technology to Solve Today's Water Challenges
Eight case studies of organizations using innovative technologies to make better decisions regarding the protection of our fresh water.
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