Water

• [New] The incremental cost of ensuring new water and sanitation assets are climate-resilient is estimated to be between $0.9 billion and $2.3 billion a year, which represents around 1% of baseline infrastructure investment needs and would reduce the risk of damage to new infrastructure by 50%. / IISD
• [New] Climate change, the primary driver of energy transition, is already creating food and water shortages across many parts of the world and is expected to spark an unprecedented wave of migration in near future, in addition to the trade and competitiveness implications of carbon taxes. / The Jakarta Post
• [New] Climate change in Iraq is expected to reduce annual rainfall, which will lead to a surge in dust storms, a reduction in agricultural productivity and increased water scarcity. / FRANCE 24
• [New] Climate change will force 63 million South Asians and 1.7 million Mexicans from their homes by 2050, while another 1.5 million Ethiopians will have to search for new sources of food and water. / Reimagining the Future
• [New] The Biden administration is aiming to fill some of the existing gap as a part of the American Jobs Plan, which promises $111 billion for water systems. / Grist
• [New] Development assistance from the United States and other multilateral actors that builds resilience to climate change will alleviate climate-induced water stress and reduce instability that could lead to violence across the MENA region. / The Center for Climate & Security
• [New] As global interest in offshore wind energy continues to grow in both near-shore environments and in deeper waters further from coastlines, the project pipeline is expected to contribute an additional 238 GW of offshore wind energy by the end of 2030. / Windpower Engineering & Development
• [New] By accelerating action to fight climate change while rebuilding a more sustainable and resilient economy, Canada will spur significant economic opportunity, creating new jobs for Canadians while ensuring cleaner air and water for generations to come. / World Nuclear News
• [New] Joe Biden's infrastructure bill, known as the American Jobs Plan, is an opportunity to remove bureaucratic barriers and right decades of wrongs denying Indigenous Americans access to safe tap water and sanitation. / The Guardian
• [New] Most economic benefits go to Canada, while Michigan risks a rupture that could foul hundreds of miles of waters. / ABC News
• [New] France has threatened to block UK financial firms from operating in Europe if Britain does not give French fisherman access to British waters. / The Telegraph
• [New] In February, 3M announced plans to invest approximately $1 billion over the next 20 years to accelerate its new environmental goals: achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, reduce water use by 25% at its facilities, and return higher quality water to the environment after use in manufacturing operations. / Yahoo Finance
• [New] Other longer-term goals remain in progress, though, such as putting forward a plan to conserve 30% of American lands and waters by 2030 and making progress on curbing hydrofluorocarbon greenhouse gases. / ABC News
• [New] Earlier this month, Eni announced a new light oil discovery in Angola's deep waters, pursuing exploration opportunities close to existing infrastructure, which suggests it aims to keep development costs low. / oilprice.com
• All that sending a flotilla bristling with weapons into the disputed waters of the South China Seas can do is escalate tensions and even risk an accidental confrontation with another nuclear armed state. / Stop the War
• A Texas-based group is pushing county governments in Colorado and other states to pass resolutions opposing Biden's goal of protecting 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. / Los Angeles Times
• Cuts to British aid spending on water and sanitation in the world's poorest countries will cause the coronavirus pandemic to spread and increase the risk of mutation, as well as costing lives. / The Guardian
• Governments around the world should be pouring more resources into monitoring groundwater levels and conserving water resources in places that are at risk. / Scientific American
• So far, UN agencies have set aside $2 million US for water, hygiene and food vouchers and will send experts to help with the ash cleanup. / CBC
• At least 55% more water will be required by 2050 to meet the demand created by economic growth, urbanisation, and a global population of nearly ten billion people. / Eco-business
• $125.2 million over four years, beginning in 2022-23, to continue to support First Nations communities' reliable access to clean water and help ensure the safe delivery of health and social services on reserve. / BUDGET2017
• Beijing's military build-up, combined with moves to fortify its hold on disputed territory in the South China Sea, has raised fears that it could look to deny the US military access to waters off China's coastline. / The Edge Markets

Last updated: 09 May 2021