Global Scans · Clean Water and Sanitation · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 6. Ensure availability of water and sanitation for all.

• [New] Western Canada's glaciers are retreating quickly in the face of climate change, potentially putting BC's water supply, agricultural output and power production at risk. UBC Science
• [New] UK agricultural water availability is at risk from increased extreme weather events driven by climate change, but adaptation measures through storage of water are underway. GOV.UK
• [New] Global demand for freshwater is expected to outstrip available supply by 40% in 2030 (2030 Water Resources Group, 2009), with demand from all sectors increasing by between 25% to 40% and possibly being reallocated from lower to higher productivity activities, particularly in water stressed areas. GOV.UK
• [New] The total targeted investment for IKN is US$ 32 billion and will cover several sectors, including renewable energy, telecommunications network, transportation, housing, water treatment and waste management. Borneo Post Online
• [New] Climate change, nature loss and water insecurity pose significant risks to the ability of global food production to meet demand over the longer term. GOV.UK
• [New] Normal desert climate conditions will be compounded in coming years as water demand grows from an increasing resident and tourist population and water supply becomes less reliable as climate change makes precipitation less predictable and drought conditions more likely. urban water atlas
• [New] Whilst the UK is often seen to have a plentiful supply of water, climate change and a rapidly growing and urbanising population is putting pressure on the UK's water supplies, with England forecast to face a shortfall of nearly five billion liters of water a day by 2050. Ofwat Innovation Fund
• [New] We have committed to provide £40 million of additional funding between 2022-23 and 2024-25 to address water quality challenges across Wales, including £1.5 million of funding for nutrient management boards, which were established to address Special Area of Conservation (SAC) river catchments. GOV.WALES
• [New] As natural disasters are becoming more frequent in the United States, Wayne State University and the U.S. Army will be collaborating on research examining how to better get clean water to areas impacted by disaster. Yahoo News
• [New] Consumptive water use is projected to increase 3.7 times globally, with water use in other sectors (electricity, industry, and households) increasing faster than irrigation. Nature
• [New] Water: Continue replenishing 100% of water used globally and in high-risk locations, and commit to reassessing facility risk profiles every five years. Environment+Energy Leader
• [New] Coca-Cola has identified over 200 high-risk locations - almost one-third of its global operations - where it will return 100% of water used to local ecosystems and communities. Environment+Energy Leader
• [New] Demand for infrastructure presents an annual investment opportunity of $170 billion a year, from energy to transport, digital infrastructure, water and sanitation. TheCable
• [New] By 2050, food production is expected to face significant challenges, as climate change could increase water demand for summer crops by as much as 16% while reducing it by up to 2% for winter crops. Egyptian Streets
• [New] Japanese scientists have developed an innovative system that could harness sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, potentially offering a sustainable pathway to renewable hydrogen fuel. ScienceBlog.com
• [New] Thames Water anticipates its capital programme during AMP8 to be triple the size of its existing programme, as it seeks to address the twin challenge of ageing infrastructure and climate change on its assets. Construction Wave
• [New] The risk of skeletal fluorosis begins at concentrations more than double what's recommended for drinking water in the United States. EverydayHealth.com
• In 2022, DOE launched an Energy Earthshot to reduce the cost of floating offshore wind in deep waters, far from shore, 75% by 2035. Energy.gov
• The N $192 million grant will fund the Ohangwena Aquifer Climate Resilient Water Supply Project, which aims to create a network of smaller, decentralised water treatment and distribution systems to improve access to clean drinking water for an estimated 40000 people. allAfrica.com
• Water resources have become a critical issue that threatens human health, security, and development due to rapid global population growth and economic development. Nature
• The MARSHALL ISLANDS emphasized the challenges linked to land and water scarcity facing their country, and highlighted efforts to reduce land erosion and food security risks. IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin
• Egypt's already arid climate could suffer even higher temperatures, lower rainfall over key agricultural areas due to climate change, and higher demand for water for food production, requiring further urgent adaptation investments. Egyptian Streets
• Losing over 100 football pitches of healthy land every minute threatens livelihoods, food and water security, and public health, with potential to disrupt regional economies and global trade. UNCCD

Last updated: 15 December 2024