1. In the context of the association, the Union and the OCTs may cooperate in the area of sustainable water management through water policy and institution building, protecting water resources, water supplies in rural and urban areas for domestic, industrial or agricultural purposes, storage, distribution and management of water resources and waste water management.

The Council adopted a set of conclusions (17872/12) on "A blueprint to safeguard Europe's water resources" in response to the recent Commission communication on the subject (16425/12).

(Return tabled) Question No. 152 Ms. Kirsty Duncan: With respect to the development of unconventional gas resources, including shale, tight and coal bed methane, and its possible impacts on the environment: (a) what, if any, research has the government undertaken regarding the development of unconventional gas resources, (i) what was the scope of this research in the areas of, but not limited to, air quality, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem impacts, economic impacts, occupational risks, public safety concerns, and seismic risks, (ii) what, if any, resources did the government provide for this research, (iii) what, if any, process was e ...[+++]stablished to ensure the independence of the researchers, their research, and their findings, (iv) what, if any, case studies were considered as a part of this research, (v) what, if any, scenarios regarding the development of unconventional gas resources were developed as frameworks for the research, (vi) what economic, environmental and social impacts were identified by this research, (vii) what, if any, priority research areas were identified for further study as a result of this research, (viii) what, if any, departments were involved in this research, (ix) what, if any, action was undertaken to ensure inter-departmental cooperation throughout the research process, (x) what, if any, gaps or weaknesses in the regulatory framework did the research identify; (b) what, if any, research has the government undertaken regarding balancing shale gas' potential contribution to energy security with environmental risks; (c) what are the sources of greenhouse gas emissions associated with unconventional gas; (d) has the government developed a process to determine the overall carbon footprint of shale gas throughout the life cycle of natural gas use, if not, why not, and, if so, (i) what federal departments are involved in this process, (ii) how does the government ensure inter-departmental collaboration on this process, (iii) what is the p ...

(a) building on progress made at Harare, Petersberg (Bonn) and Paris meetings on, in particular, regional cooperation, public/private partnerships, technology transfer, cooperation in and resolution of transboundary water resources issues within the river basins framework, taking into account the interests of all states concerned, and the protection of biodiversity and eco-systems and the importance of gender issues; (b) the follow-up should be assured and defined clearly, particularly in relation to the roles of UN Organizations, including UNEP, governments and established international networks; (c) encouragement of water and other ...[+++] relevant industries at national and international levels to establish codes of conducts which can help promote and disseminate best practice; (d) further work to create and to ensure an enabling policy framework that encourages public/private partnerships which promote developing countries' efforts in sustainable development, management, distribution and use of water resources, including the evaluation of water quality and quantity and the access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation; 6. The Council agrees that the European Union should also press for decisions within existing organizations, including UN Organizations, such as inter alia UNIDO and UNEP, which include the following:

Just as an example, there are various approaches that the provinces could consider and where the federal government would be of no help: create structures, functions and responsibilities with a view to integrated management of water resources; recognize users of environmental water in order to get them more involved, and be able to identify minimum water requirements of aquatic ecosystems; develop exchanges of information and educational strategies in order to improve the dissemination of information, the results of pilot projects, best practices, case stu ...[+++]dies, and much more; develop environmental impact assessment procedures in order to improve the water resources management knowledge base; and, finally, encourage the public to get involved and give it additional responsibilities and a greater say in the planning and management of water resources.

- 6 - THAILAND: 2 850 000 ECU _______________________ This project will involve a major water resource study aimed at confirming the feasibility of long-term proposals for the optimum development of the water resources of Northern and Central Thailand, involving the transfer of water from the Mekong catchment to the Chao Phya catchment, the development of irrigation potential in the Mekong catchment and the increased availability of water for power, agricultural, domestic and industrial use in the Chao Phya catchment.