Futureproofing society
Water resilience is the ability of water-related policies, plans, and investments to cope with climate-related impacts.
Water resilience has two key elements: robust approaches to address a wide range of anticipated climate impacts, and flexible approaches that can change as needed to address impacts that are highly uncertain.
From unpredictable rainfall patterns to extreme floods and droughts, water drives many of our most pressing climate challenges. Water also holds tremendous potential to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing carbon emissions, generating renewable energy, and sequestering carbon.
Equally crucial for adaptation, strategic water management strengthens climate resilience across sectors – preventing wildfires, expanding irrigation systems to maintain agricultural productivity, expanding climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene services to protect public health, managing flooding and drought, and restoring and conserving ecosystems and biodiversity.
Water resilience is essential for economic, social, and ecological stability.
Water resilience is essential for economic, social, and ecological stability.
Climate plans that overlook the water demands of these mitigation efforts may inadvertently result in new water security and climate challenges.
By 2030, freshwater shortages are expected to reach 40%, exacerbating existing challenges in water access, sanitation, and biodiversity loss. Climate change is intensifying these challenges, with increased floods, droughts, and water demand. Current water management strategies are ineffective due to governance failures and a lack of investment, yet new opportunities are emerging through innovative solutions like nature-based approaches and integrated water management.
The strategic integration of smart water management into national climate planning can make the difference between whether or not climate investments deliver their intended benefits.
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