The German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU) has presented its new report ‘Water in a Heated World’ to Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke and Parliamentary State Secretary Mario Brandenburg.
The report describes the central role of water as an elixir of life and conflict factor, emphasising the challenges posed by climate change, overuse and unequal distribution of water resources. It warns of destabilised societies and ecosystems if the assumption of stationarity no longer applies. In order to recognise crises at an early stage and prevent water emergencies, an international water mapping initiative is proposed that promotes knowledge exchange and resilience strategies.
Effective, climate-resilient water management is crucial to protect water quality and enable adaptation to extreme events. This requires close linkages with climate change mitigation, spatial planning and biodiversity goals, as well as mobilising private investment and improving access to finance for local actors. Only through global cooperation can a sustainable ‘water future’ be created.
You can find the report here.