03 Sep 2014 00:00

Seminar at the World Water Week 2014 // Water Linkages to Coal Fired Energy Production: Shaping the Water and Energy Future

Energy production is globally the second largest water user with a share of fifteen percent which is a constraint for global energy development. Coal continues to be the dominant energy source with coal resources contributing about 30% to the world's energy consumption.

This seminar will discuss questions of coal-fired energy production with a regional focus on China and South Africa.

Time & Room

Wednesday 14:00-17:30 Room T4 On the other hand coal mining has a large impact on the local water resources. China accounts for over half of the global coal consumption and has forty percent of the global proposed coal-fired power plants generation capacity. Coal energy production is one of the largest water user and polluter, while water resources are extremely limited in China. Even more dependent on coal resources is South Africa, the biggest coal producer in Africa, with a share of 77% of its total energy production. Coal mining activities put an enormous pressure on groundwater quality and quantity. One of the major problems in open pit mining is Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). Without a sound environmental management in the planning and operation of these mining operations, they cause severe environmental pollution. The avoidance of environmental damages would not only protect water resources but also save large costs for rehabilitation.

Programme

14:00 Opening Statement -Mr. Ramon Brentfuhrer, BGR -Ms. Tien Shiao, WRI 14:30 The Cost of Coal and Fracking for Water Security in South Africa Ms. Christine Colvin, WWF 14:45 Sasol's Water Stewardship Strategy in South Africa Mr. Martin Ginster, Sasol 15:10 Challenges for companies and Investors: Water Risks to China's Coal and Power Production Due to Limited Water Resources Ms. Zoe Knight, HSBC 15:15 China's National and Provincial Strategies to Address China's Coal and Water Challenges Ms. Debra Tan, China Water Risk 15:50 Coffee Break 16:20 Panel Discussion Moderator: Mr. Carl Ganter, Circle of Blue -Vice Minister of Environment -Ms. Christine Colvin, WWF -Ms. Lijin Zhong, WRI -Mr. Richard Garner, AngloAmerican -Ms. Zoe Knight, HSBC -Mr. Anthony Jude, ADB 17:20 Closing and Final Message Mr. Carl Ganter, Circle of Blue 17:30 Close of Seminar

Convenors

-Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Germany -World Resources Institute

Co-convenors

-Asian Development Bank -China Water Risk -HSBC