The “Integration and Synthesis” component will expand the application scope of the EcoWater outputs, by synthesizing results to offer support in the following dimensions:
For supporting future research and case assessments, EcoWater will develop step-wise consolidated guidelines, to guide future analyses across different systems and use sectors. The guidelines produced by EcoWater will address: (a) the selection of appropriate eco-efficiency indicators, (b) assessment frameworks, (c) system dynamics modeling approaches to assess technology impacts and perform relevant benchmarks through the formulation and analysis of alternative technology scenarios, demonstrating also the proof-of-concept from the application of the above in the EcoWater Case Studies.
Decision and Communication Support will be fostered through a publicly available web-based suite of tools and relevant resources that will be developed in the form of an integrated web-based toolbox. The objective will be to provide an integrated mechanism for developers of new technologies to demonstrate the effect of their technology on systems’ eco-efficiency, and allow policy and decision-makers to assess impacts of regulations.
The suite will incorporate the tools for system-wide environmental and economic assessments, as consolidated through the development of the Project’s Case Studies, and will offer the opportunity for developers to assess the eco-efficiency of other and emerging innovative technologies, de facto allowing technology benchmarks in water systems and sectors of water use.
Policy Support will be provided through the integration of Case Study results on the assessment of technological improvements. These will be translated into considerations to guide future policies and decisions, emphasizing on different instruments, pertinent socio-technical dynamics, overall economic impacts and sustainability improvements.
Recommendations will particularly emphasize on policy tools available for promoting and integrating environmental technologies in regional and national contexts (initiatives of the Sustainable Consumption and Production Action Plan, opportunities through the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, etc.), and the way through which these can be adapted to address local specificities and constraints.