Water and climate change are inextricably linked. Global warming causes more extreme and unpredictable weather events, and makes water more scarce, while it manifests itself primarily through water impacts - from droughts and associated wildfires to shrinking glaciers, worsening floods and sea level rise.
Threats
While water management has always been instrumental in building resilient ecosystems and prosperous societies, sustainable water management has increasingly become central to the survival of communities, while it has a large role to play in fighting climate change and reducing carbon emissions.
Freshwater resources are threatened by depleting aquifers and saltwater intrusions in lowland areas. Meltwater feeds of many of the great river systems are being threatened by retreating glaciers and disappearing snow and ice caps.
Droughts and wildfires are destabilising communities, triggering civil unrest and migration, while the destruction of vegetation and tree cover exacerbates soil erosion, reducing groundwater recharge, causing further water scarcity and food insecurity.
Increasing demand for water increases the need for energy-intensive water pumping, transportation, and treatment, while water intensive forms of agriculture for food and particularly meat production, further exacerbates water scarcity.
Solutions
It is for these reasons that water should be put at the heart of action plans to combat climate change. Sustainable water management and international coordination to balance the water needs of ecosystems, communities, agriculture and industry, help society adapt to climate change by building resilience, protecting health and saving lives.
Innovative financing solutions for water resource management, are required to support governments, companies and communities to fulfil their water and climate goals and find solutions for water scarcity and impacts.
A broad range of sustainable water solutions are required that are affordable and scalable, moving beyond improving carbon storage in peatlands and mangrove soils, and protecting the national buffers of coral reefs, coastal mangroves and wetlands.
Technological solutions are needed for improved water treatment and purification, increasing the effectiveness of existing technologies, removing trace elements, and medicine residuals, recovery of valuable minerals and elements and compliance with ever stricter norms and regulations.
Aquius Capital unlocks the power of finance for:
