Water is not only a declared human right, necessary for life and health, but is also a key input into the global economy, powering manufacturing, turning energy turbines, and nourishing crops and livestock. With population growth the demand for water is accelerating and with climate change rainfall has become more erratic. Solutions to managing water variability and scarcity remain elusive, despite vast investments in infrastructure and generous funding for research (World Bank, 2017).
The challenge lies in finding a way to use the world’s water more efficiently and make it available to all at a reasonable cost, while leaving sufficient quantities to sustain the environment. Green growth policies in the water sector can address issues of both quantity and quality by encouraging water-related innovation and investment in green infrastructure, and through integration with policies in other relevant sectors (World Water Council, 2012).
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 addresses the sustainable management of water and includes the preservation of water-related ecosystems, including wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.
Explore green growth resources relate to SDG 6:
SDG 6.2 Quality SDG 6.4 use efficiency SDG 6.5 management