Operationalising Adaptive Capacity - Climate Change and Water Governance: Adaptive Capacity in Chile and Switzerland - page 238

indicators Operationalisation Chile Switzerland

Multiple forms and disciplines of
expertise contributing to
solution building for complex
inter-connected problems, as
faced by water managers under
climate change.

and causing actors to circumvent the
official process where possible.
Level of technical expertise is high
in water science, but ability to
inform decision making and
management from technical
perspective is obstructed.
Technification of water management
in irrigation in the basin is mainly
traditional (e.g. Bocatoma; irrigation
ef fi ciency; measuring/monitoring of
canals; reliance on 'culture of water'
rather than professional water
management training). At government
level, technical expertise is limited to
hydrology and economics, no focus
on public policy.

sanierung etc.) and canton level (NAQUA monitoring) tend
to be outsourced to private engineering consultancies
(though water suppliers have in house expertise as well)
with the requisite expertise to work on the project in
conjunction with the specialist cantonal department.

Secularism/Independence :
Separation of political and
technical management of water
provision and management to
ensure neutrality and continuity
in water management beyond
short term election cycles and
political dogma (i.e. retaining
knowledge).

Lack of independence and political
secularism of scholars and experts
informing water governance
(collusions of World Bank,
Neo-liberal politicians, economic
agenda, financial contributions etc.).
Operational/technical expertise at the
regional level more functional than
at the central political level.

Administrative departments involved with water management
at canton and commune are not political appointees, but
professional positions that remain in posts despite
political outcomes. In commune councils elected officials
constitute the political group and technical staff the
service group for both watercourse management and
provision; changes in legal framework are subject to or
initiated by a broader range of stakeholder due to the
direct democratic process.

Distinction between political and
operational pools of resources;
separation of political process
and technical expertise on
water management.