World Water Day is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of freshwater. It is coordinated by UN-Water and led by one or more UN-Water Members and Partners with a related mandate. World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
This year’s theme is valuing water. The 2021 campaign is generating a global, public conversation on social media about how people value water for all its uses. The aim is to create a more comprehensive understanding of how water is valued by different people in different contexts so we can safeguard this precious resource for everyone.
2021 World Water Development Report
The 2021 World Water Development Report assesses the ways in which water is valued across different sectors and identifies how this process can be improved, with a view to better evaluate what water is worth to our societies.
See in chapter 10 (page 138) for a reference to the Valuing Water work being done by the 2030 WRG Bangladesh Water Multi-Stakeholder Platform.
Five different perspectives on Valuing Water
Valuing water sources – natural water resources and ecosystems
Valuing water infrastructure – storage, treatment and supply
Valuing water services – drinking water, sanitation and health services
Valuing water as an input to production and socio-economic activity – food and agriculture, energy and industry, business and employment
Valuing socio-cultural aspects of water – recreational, cultural and spiritual attributes
2030 WRG Position Paper on Valuing Water in Bangladesh
The Position Paper on Valuing Water in Bangladesh, recently published by 2030 WRG, the Government of Bangladesh, and the High-Level and Technical Valuing Water Committees of the Bangladesh Water Multi-Stakeholder Platform (BWMSP), outlines the importance of Valuing Water and provides some thoughts as to how this can be done. The position paper includes case studies on how these three approaches have been applied in the country. These case studies focus on agricultural practices in Barind Tract, falling groundwater tables in Dhaka, and balancing competing water demands in Halda River.
The position paper discusses three possible approaches to Valuing Water:
The revealed preference approach observes peoples’ behavior in markets where water is a relevant variable;
The cost-based approach infers the value of water based on costs incurred to mitigate damage or replace the ecosystem services, or avoided costs if the ecosystem services are maintained; and
The stated preference approach involves directly asking stakeholders about their preferences around water.
Ahead of World Water Day, the President of the General Assembly convened a one-day high-level meeting to promote the implementation of the water-related goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda in support of the implementation of the Decade on Water and Sustainable Development (2018-2028) and the high-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF).
Members discussed the implementation of the Water-related goals and targets of the 2030 agenda, urgent action on water for 2030, and a sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Two panel discussions were held on Data and Information and Governance, and Financing, Innovation and Capacity Building. Watch the recording here.
WOW! 2021
As the World Bank Group aspires to foster a green, resilient, inclusive and transformative recovery around the world, the Water Global Practice rises to the challenges of climate change and COVID-19 in its yearly flagship event:Water Online Week 2021: Water, Climate, Action!
Joined by decision-makers, influencers and experts, the World Bank Water Global Practice, theGlobal Water Security and Sanitation Partnership(GWSP) and the2030 Water Resources Group (2030 WRG) will highlight the critical importance of delivering water supply and sanitation services, sustaining water resources and building resilience during a week-long virtual event. The vision of a Water-Secure World for All is key to fostering green energy, ensuring food security, and promoting healthy behaviors that will underpin a sustainable future for people and the planet.
2030 WRG co-hosted the CEO Panel that was held during the opening on Monday, 22 March, 2021. Featured external guest speakers included:
Natarajan Chandrasekharan, Chairman of the Tata Group
ZoueraYoussoufou, Managing Director and CEO of the Aliko Dangote Foundation
Lydie Hudson, CEO of Sustainability, Research and Investment Solutions of Credit Suisse
The Forum | Scientists looked at more than 200,000 bodies of water from space. This is why.
World Economic Forum writer Joe Myers writes that researchers have used NASA satellite data to examine 227,386 bodies of water to understand more about the extent of human influence on the global hydrological cycle. He notes that such research is “essential for the sustainability of freshwater resources on Earth”, the scientists involved say in introducing their research. Their most striking finding? Humans are responsible for more than half (57%) of the fluctuations in seasonal surface water storage.
Read the story here and find out what the World Economic Forum is doing about closing the gap between global water demand and supply through its collaboration with 2030 WRG.
Unilever | Six actions we’re taking to secure water for all
On World Water Day we look at six ways Unilever is innovating and collectively working with partners to secure water for all. And we hear from the people working on these projects who tell us what the value of water means to them.
“Through innovation, partnership and stewardship, we can change the narrative around water from one that’s solely focused on risk to one that is focused on resilience. From one where water is a threat to one that is thinking about water as an opportunity,” explains Rochi Khemka, Global Partnerships Coordinator with 2030 WRG. Read the statement here.
PepsiCo | PepsiCo helps more than 55 million people globally gain access to safe water with partners
PepsiCo Inc, and the PepsiCo Foundation announced this week that the company has helped more than 55 million people gain access to safe water globally since 2006 and catalyzed nearly $700 million in additional funding to support safe water access investments in partnership with leading non-profits worldwide. The milestone announced today marks significant progress towards PepsiCo’s goal of reaching 100 million people with safe water by 2030. The Foundation also announced today new programs to help communities recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Building sustainable, resilient societies that can respond to shocks and stresses like the COVID-19 crisis requires strong cross-sectoral collaboration. PepsiCo has pioneered safe water access since 2006 and championed multi-stakeholder models globally with leading partners as an effective construct to build trust and tackle interconnected issues related to water security,” saidKarin Krchnak, Program Manager, 2030 Water Resources Group. “Together, we’ve helped unlock the transformative force of business alongside civil society organizations and governments as a bridge to greater cooperation and positive development results.”
The 2030 Water Resources Group and the Water Authority of Mongolia will establish a Groundwater Management Centre on the basis of the developed national groundwater dashboard to support decisions on groundwater availability & water allocation. Learn more (text only in Mongolian).
IWRA | World Water Day Webinar
Bangladesh National News Channel on Valuing Water
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In the land of the world’s largest river delta, famous for its epic monsoons, millions of people do not have safe drinking water. Many Bangladeshis spend each day collecting water and making it safe enough to use, taking time from other necessary activities such as childcare, education, and household chores. These indirect costs need to be considered alongside direct threats to human and environmental health when making decisions and investments relating to water management and socio-economic development. In a country where most water services do not have a price tag to allow for cost recovery, we need to value water better – not necessarily through pricing, but through sustainable actions.
https://www.2030wrg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Bangladesh-Unsplash-Rahabi-Khan.png356800Alida Phamhttps://www.2030wrg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2030WRG_WBG_LOGO_RGB-new.pngAlida Pham2021-03-22 01:32:112021-03-30 16:27:31Special Feature Story: Shaping Policy on Valuing Water in Bangladesh
WASHINGTON, March 2, 2021 – The Government of Hungary and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, formally kicked off the next phase of their partnership today, agreeing to work together on IFC’s creating markets strategy and on its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The expanded partnership builds on Hungary’s initial investment in 2014 which provided $20 million of contributions to agribusiness, energy, health, and water management sectors in middle-income countries, benefitting 33 million people.
This next phase of the partnership is providing an additional $10 million for IFC’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, its upstream advisory work to unlock more bankable projects that lead to private sector investments, and to the mission of the 2030 Water Resources Group, hosted by the World Bank.
“This partnership is very important for Hungary, which aims to support advisory programs and create new market opportunities to further increase the visibility of Hungarian support for private sector development among relevant stakeholders. The IFC Trust Fund will have a stronger focus of advisory activities on thematic areas in the selected countries as well as focusing on green growth including water and climate-smart solutions, SME finance and information and communications technology,” said Gábor Gion, Minister of State of the Hungarian Ministry of Finance.
“Expanding the Hungary-IFC partnership is a celebration on two fronts: it’s an opportunity to take stock of all that has been accomplished and an opportunity to imagine what more we can do together,” said Karin Finkelston, Vice President of Partnerships, Communication, and Outreach at IFC. “IFC’s partnership with Hungary has changed lives for the better by unlocking opportunities for small businesses, addressing climate change, and improving water management.”
The expansion and extension of the Hungary-IFC partnership comes at a critical time for development, as the world enters the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic and private sector investment in emerging markets is necessary to revive economies.
“Through this collaboration we look forward to deepening our engagement with countries to amplify impact, and combine our strengths in incubation of new solutions and private sector mobilization with financing strengths and technical know-how to achieve a Water-Secure World for All,” said Juergen Voegele, Vice President for Sustainable Development at the World Bank.
To date, the Hungary-IFC partnership has disbursed 49,567 small and medium enterprise (SME) loans and 8,399 sustainable energy finance (SEF) loans. These represent a value of $408 million in SME loans and $80 billion in SEF loans. Geographically, the Hungary-IFC partnership covers 31 countries with the largest funds allocated to East Asia (32%), Eastern Europe (29%), and Africa (15%).
https://www.2030wrg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2030WRG_WBG_LOGO_RGB-new.png00Alida Phamhttps://www.2030wrg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2030WRG_WBG_LOGO_RGB-new.pngAlida Pham2021-03-03 00:56:492021-03-03 00:58:10PRESS RELEASE | Hungary, IFC, and 2030 WRG Expand on Successful Partnership to Create Markets and Respond to COVID-19 Pandemic
Aims to treat domestic sewage that will benefit nearly 230,000 households
2 DECEMBER 2020 – Gazipur City Corporation is set to receive a wastewater and sludge treatment system in two of its urban zones under the public private partnership model (PPP), aiming to treat domestic sewage that will benefit nearly 230,000 households.
With an estimated cost of $82 million, the pilot project will include a sewerage network of nearly 137 kilometers, two sewage treatment plants of about 56 million liters per day cumulative capacity, mechanical desludging of septic tanks, and transportation of fecal sludge to three treatment plants.
The move follows the signing of an agreement between IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Public-Private Partnership Authority to provide transaction advisory services to help set up a wastewater management system in Gazipur and Tongi areas of GCC, said a press release.
The project was the result of a three-year effort by the Bangladesh Water Multi Stakeholder Partnership, facilitated by the 2030 Water Resources Group, a public-private-civil society multi-donor trust fund hosted by the World Bank Group.
Sultana Afroz, CEO of Bangladesh Public-Private Partnership Authority, said that the initiative was a big step towards meeting the government’s goal of improving environmental and wastewater treatment standards in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The economic fallout from the impact of COVID-19 makes mobilizing funds and expertise from the private sector more important than ever,” said Wendy Werner, IFC country manager for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.
Last year, IFC assisted the government to develop a water distribution network and supply facilities with a capacity to produce 340 million litres of potable water per day for the estimated 1.5 million residents of Purbachal.
Gazipur, which is a major hub for manufacturing of readymade garments, the country’s main export item, has seen rapid urbanization over the past two decades.
At present, the city of over two million people does not have a wastewater treatment plant or a centralized sewerage network.
Nearly 70 per cent of the 230,000 households in Gazipur and Tongi areas rely on a decentralized system, which is typically a conventional septic tank and pit latrines, while the wastewater generated by the remaining 30 per cent is discharged directly into open drains or water bodies.
IFC’s advice in public-private partnerships is helping national and municipal governments in developing countries partner with the private sector to offer tangible benefits to millions of people by improving access to education, energy, transport, healthcare, and sanitation.
IFC has advised on the structuring of nine PPPs in the water sector, including supply and treatment, and is currently working on three projects worldwide.
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Senior leaders from the Tanzanian water sector convened at the Julius Nyerere International Conference Centre in Dar es Salaam on 3rd December 2020 for the 4th National Multi-Sector Forum on Water Resources to explore strategies for strengthening collaboration among stakeholders in Tanzania’s water sector. The theme for this year’s event, which also accommodated virtual participation, was “accelerating realization of water security for all through enhanced multi-sectoral dialogues.”
The forum, which was hosted by the Ministry of Water in collaboration with the 2030 Water Resources Group, Global Affairs Canada, and Shahidi wa Maji, aimed to enhance cross-sectoral coordination as envisioned in the country’s Integrated Water Resources Management Development (IWRMD) Plans by breaking down institutional silos and catalyzing the exchange of knowledge, expertise, technologies and financial resources required to improve the country’s future water security.
“[T]he forum is a platform for candidly discussing different issues related to water resources management and development in this country and providing solutions or recommendations as well. In this way, we all collectively contribute to making decisions on this important resource as envisioned in the National Water Policy of 2002.” said the Permanent Secretary for Water, Eng. Anthony Sanga, during his opening address.
Tanzania is endowed with relatively abundant freshwater resources, but these are unevenly distributed and increasingly at risk. Water demand in the key economic sectors of agriculture, energy and manufacturing is rising sharply alongside rising requirements from population growth for supplying domestic consumption, improving the conditions of the poor and for the environment.
The need to work collaboratively is therefore more urgent than ever. Climate change is likely to have severe consequences for Tanzania through increased temperatures, changes in rainfall, increasingly frequent extreme weather events and rising sea levels.
The aim of the one-day event was to enhance collaboration, build synergies amongst actors and highlight collective action in water resources management. The overall objective was to bring together diverse actors in the water sector to discuss and deliberate on effective ways to achieve sustainable water resources management and enhance key sectors and other stakeholders’ participation for improved water security for all.
“Together in this unique group we have and still can accomplish so much as opposed to a situation where there would have been only one sector” said the Forum Chairperson, Eng. Mbogo Futakamba. “This has always been my motto, ‘if you want to reach far, move together – but if you want to move faster, move alone’”
Earlier this year, recognizing the value of collaboration to achieving the country’s water security goals, the Ministry of Water facilitated the enactment of legislation to roll out the multi-sectoral forum on water resources to the basin level, with some basins cascading the concept down to catchment level. The forum enabled a deeper understanding of how these initiatives are impacting other sectors and will allow for the sharing of best practices and innovation.
The event also focused on the contributions of the private sector towards water stewardship and strengthened water security. The private sector has tremendous capacity to incentivize stakeholders across other sectors by setting precedence, especially in terms of technological innovation. The forums provided a platform for private companies to highlight their contributions in the larger spectrum of addressing water security in Tanzania with the view to exchange knowledge and best practices within the context of building a strong private sector dialogue on water stewardship.
The forum also highlighted ongoing as well as potential contributions of the media towards supporting desired changes in society for achieving water security for all through educating the masses and raising awareness.
The forum, now officially in its fourth year, brings together senior leaders from government, business, research institutions, and civil society, to strengthen inter-sectoral collaboration, inform decision making at the national and basin levels, and help shape an improved institutional framework for decision making.
https://www.2030wrg.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NMSF2020.jpg325601Natasha Skreslethttps://www.2030wrg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2030WRG_WBG_LOGO_RGB-new.pngNatasha Skreslet2020-12-07 10:04:512020-12-09 10:08:43Tanzania Multi-Sector Forum on Water Resources: Collaboration Key to Ensuring Water Security
The 2030 WRG Governing Council met virtually at the end of November 2020. The meeting was an important milestone in setting the path for 2030 WRG scale-up. Building on the guidance to 2030 WRG from the Steering Board over the past year, the Council centered on the strategic directions of 2030 WRG in more fully engaging partners, leveraging the World Bank Group, and elevating and raising the visibility of 2030 WRG to be the vehicle of choice in collective action on improving water management across sectors.
GC members expressed support for 2030 WRG to expand to new countries and states while innovating on models to generate financial sustainability at different levels. Building on the GC meeting of September 2019, the GC supported the development of the City-based MSP model as part of deepening engagement in countries. The GC also supported the development of “program accelerators” in countries with more mature MSPs as a key strategic pillar of the scale-up strategy of 2030 WRG. Global private sector partners expressed interest and offered their support to engage with the 2030 WRG Secretariat in shaping, conceptualizing, and actively being part of the accelerator programs.
2030 WRG will also increase links with the climate and nature agendas to further explore circular economy and nature-based solutions as part of a larger effort to look at water security and resilience planning and adding more shades of blue to sustainable financing.
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The 6th Annual Water Stewardship Event convened online today and provided examples of how strengthening water sector governance and stewardship practices can provide a pathway for a green and inclusive recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. The pandemic has caused the country’s real Gross Domestic Product to contract by 17 percent in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the same time last year and exacerbated pre-existing vulnerabilities in the water sector. Over 200 water sector representatives including officials from government, industry, finance, civil society and development organisations were in attendance for the virtual event jointly hosted by the National Business Initiative (NBI), the Strategic Water Partners Network (SWPN), the Royal Danish Embassy and supported by GIZ’s Natural Resources Stewardship Programme (NatuReS).
According to the World Health Organisation, washing hands with soap and water is the single most effective measure against the spread of COVID-19, putting equitable access to water and sanitation at the center of the pandemic response. The National Water and Sanitation Master Plan indicates that only 65 percent of South Africans have access to safe and reliable water services while 14.1 million people lack access to decent sanitation. Moreover, the South African water sector struggles with financial challenges and capacity restrictions, constraining its ability to bridge the service delivery gap, a situation exacerbated by the impacts of the pandemic. These challenges are aggravated by a lack of accountability linked to the governance, management, and oversight of the sector itself. With water as a key enabler of economic growth, there is an opportunity to leverage green and sustainable investments in the sector to support South Africa’s efforts to build back better.
In the opening session, Trevor Balzer, Acting Director General of the Department of Water and Sanitation, appealed to the water sector to “embrace the power of partnerships between private, public and civil society to work together to close the water gap through taking a water stewardship approach.” Mr. Balzer urged local and international investors to “come and invest in our water infrastructure which remains one of the most meaningful ways to create jobs, enable economic growth, reduce inequalities and support small, medium, and micro-enterprises.”
In a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive Q&A divided over two thematic sessions, participants explored what needs to be done to strengthen water sector governance and encourage the much-needed water investments required to support a post-COVID-19 green recovery.
Morning Session: Robust Governance for Sustainable Recovery
The overarching message of the morning session was that strengthening water sector governance is a prerequisite to improve performance and bring about a much-needed recovery in the sector.
“Strong systems and institutions are needed to drive effective water resources management and expanding access to water and sanitation services” says Martin Ginster, Co-Chair of the SWPN. “As we look towards the future, good water governance will be needed to ensure an adequate supply of water at an acceptable quality to prevent and fight future pandemics.”
For the public sector, this involves improving financial management and technical capacity at both national and municipal levels. Strengthening good governance requires a clear understanding of powers and functions, mandated responsibility and the inter-dependency between resource protection, usage, planning and development across all spheres of government. This understanding must be met with clear institutional arrangements that can further advance good sector governance.
In the private sector, while there is a strong focus on corporate accountability in terms of sustainability, there is a need to strengthen corporate leadership on water security specifically.
Throughout the morning, speakers emphasized the importance of greater participation and diversity of voices in decision-making as a means of strengthening transparency and accountability. Community-led good governance practice, whereby communities are equipped and informed on how to both engage with government and private sector stakeholders, as well as hold them to account for specific actions linked to water conservation and demand management, offers a proven avenue for strengthening accountability and transparency in decision-making. Examples of such action include participatory planning and budgeting processes, deepening understanding of procurement systems and participating in planning of projects that require a balanced understanding of economic development opportunity and natural resource protection measures.
Afternoon Session: Water Investments for a Post-COVID-19 Green Recovery
The focus of the afternoon session explored the opportunities afforded by green financing. The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a wake-up call over the reality of environmental risks with human-related causes. As governments all over the world, including South Africa, make significant investments into emergency support programs, there is a need to ensure recovery packages honor the balance between jump-starting economic growth and restoring jobs as well as protecting natural capital.
The session was opened by HE Mr. Tobias Elling Rehfeld, the Danish Ambassador to South Africa. In his address, he urged the sector to rapidly scale-up investments in order to achieve the country’s water and sanitation delivery goals. Such investments can also be an important lever of economic recovery. “Water infrastructure investments in particular are crucial to stimulate growth and job creation” he said, pointing to the sector’s funding deficit of approximately R300 billion over the next ten years. “South Africa needs all hands-on deck, and Denmark is ready to step up our support in terms of partnership programmes, water sector technology and finance.”
Opportunities for sustainable investing in the water sector include reducing water losses, repairing and maintaining water infrastructure and enabling nature-based solutions to achieve water security and improved water resource management.
“Investments in water should be used to build greater resilience and more effective management of water-related risks. At the same time, we need to reinforce water governance to ensure the reliable delivery of water for priority uses” says Alex McNamara, Water and Climate Manager with NBI, who provided an overview of key takeaways in the closing session. “COVID-19 has reinforced the importance of access to safe and reliable water, and we have a responsibility to learn from our experience over the last year to build back greener, stronger, and better.”
https://www.2030wrg.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/nathan-dumlao-kDxqbAvEBwI-unsplash-scaled.jpg17072560Natasha Skreslethttps://www.2030wrg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2030WRG_WBG_LOGO_RGB-new.pngNatasha Skreslet2020-11-18 11:10:052020-12-09 12:06:04South Africa Water Stewardship Event Emphasizes Good Governance And Sustainable Investments For Green Recovery
Companies, policymakers, cities and citizens will develop and scale innovations thatreinvent water consumption in the home and drive system-level transformation
GENEVA, Oct. 27, 2020 — Launched today, the 50L Home Coalition (Coalition) is a global action-oriented platform addressing two of the world’s most pressing challenges: water security and climate change. This global collaboration aims to re-invent the future of water and change the narrative on domestic water consumption by making a water-efficient lifestyle – 50 Liters (L) of daily water use per person – an irresistible aspiration for all.
The worldisin the midst of an urban water crisis,and the pressures on our limited resources are only accelerating. Seventy percentof the world’s 20 megacities are already experiencing water scarcity or drought conditions, disrupting business, threatening health and exacerbating inequalities. The average home in the developed world is highly inefficient, and average per capita household water use is as high as 500L per day. Because an estimated 16% of total energy use in the home isrelated to water,this disproportionate domestic water consumption is also contributing to climate change.
TheCoalition will advance policies, technologies and cross-industry collaborationtodriveresponsible water consumption in residential households and commercial buildings as a strategic lever to transform urban water management. Convened by the 2030 Water Resources Group (2030WRG), World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and World Economic Forum, the Coalition is led by a pioneering leadership group of private sector, public sector and civil society representatives, including Arcadis, Electrolux, Engie, Kohler, Procter & Gamble and Suez.Under the direction of the Board, Braulio Eduardo Morera will lead the 50L Home Coalition as director, starting December 15.
The Coalition will collaborate across four key pillars to accelerate progress towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 6 (clean water and sanitation), 12 (responsible consumption and production) and 13 (climate action):
Innovation: Developing solutions to address water efficiency in homes and within the wider urban water system.
Education: Reshaping people’s relationship with water, helping to inspire daily behavioral lifestyle changes.
Implementation: Launching pilot projects in water-stressed cities that mobilize local stakeholders and financing.
Policy and regulation:Advancing policy, regulatory and industry frameworks to transform household water use.
In facilitating collaboration across these four pillars, the Coalition aims to make responsible household water consumption a key aspect of cities’ climate, water security and resiliency strategies.
“Our brands reach five billion people around the world, and with this scale comes a responsibility to continue innovating our products to help save energy, water and natural resources,” said Shailesh G. Jejurikar, Chief Executive Officer, Fabric and Home Care, Procter & Gamble and Co-Chair of the Coalition. “We need unprecedented collaboration between businesses, government and civil society to make 50 liters of daily water use per person a reality.”
“Throughthe 50L Home Coalition, we will leverage our global presence, our water chemistry expertise and our innovation in water and energy-efficient products to accelerate positive change,” said Virginie Helias, Chief Sustainability Officer, Procter & Gamble.“We need to partner with the entire water value chain through public and private collaboration, and we need cities and citizens to engage. Together, we can bring to life this ambitious and inspiring vision, re-imagining how people live in their homes so that we can collectively protect our common Home.”
“The 50L Home Coalition is a terrific way to engage and educate consumers to be better water stewards in their home and for the planet,” said David Kohler, President and CEO of Kohler Co. “This opportunity pushes us even further to innovate and deliver the next generation of water-efficient products and solutions that offer transformative value to our customers and partners. We’re excited to contribute and be in the company of several other forward-thinking organizations poised to create positive change.”
“There is still time to stop our cities from running out of water, but we must act together to do so,” said Peter Oosterveer, Global Chief Executive, Arcadis. “If we can reduce each person’s water use to around 50 liters per day, we can help preserve this resource for future generations and make a positive contribution to the fight against climate change. This is why Arcadis has joined the 50L Coalition and why we’re taking action to help ensure everyone has access to clean water.”
“Water issues moved from being difficult to solve to being complex. Water, health, food, climate, energy, agriculture issues are all interconnected, and cannot be addressed in silo,” said Annelise Avril, SUEZ Senior VP Innovation, Digital Transformation & Research. “No single stakeholder has the whole answer. SUEZ joins the 50L Home Coalition because we are convinced we need to join forces, combine our skills and expertise to come up with adequate solutions.”
“2030 WRG brings a multi-stakeholder model of collaboration that drives change through collective action on the ground,” said Karin Krchnak, 2030 WRG Program Manager. “We are excited to join the 50L Home Coalition to transform how water is used and valued by all, particularly at the urban level, as cities face increasing risks of water insecurity, shared by governments, the private sector and civil society.”
“The pandemic of 2020 has brought to light the importance of water as a front-line public health defence. In the home, we need water to cook, clean, hydrate and for hygiene,” said Peter Bakker, President and CEO, World Business Council for Sustainable Development. “Business is already providing solutions that reduce and remove the need for water used in the home. But we can do so much more. Through the 50L Home Coalition, we want to accelerate and scale the deployment of practical solutions for sustainability that reach the household and trigger systemic change.”
“As cities worldwide face increasing pressure to meet the needs for competing water resource demands, re-inventing our urban water systems to be more resilient and resource-efficient becomes critically important,” said Dominic Waughray, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. “Achieving systemic change can best be achieved through multi-stakeholder coalitions and fostering cooperation and innovation across a diverse group of leaders – the 50L Home Coalition is an exciting global action platform that will turn this vision into reality.”
“The 50L Home Coalition offers an opportunity to accelerate innovations to enable communities’ appropriate and responsible use of water resources,” said Braulio Eduardo Morera, Director, 50L Home Coalition. “I am excited about the prospect of leveraging the capabilities of the private sector, public sector and civil society. Together we will build strong collaborations with policymakers, national and local leaders and innovators to help cities adapt to climate change and avoid acute water crises.”
Reinventing water consumption in the home is not something one company or organization can do alone. The Coalition invites visionary leaders from companies, cities or civil society that are committed to solving the urban water crisis and addressing climate change to join the Coalition. To learn more about the Coalition’s projects, members or upcoming events, visit 50lhome.org.
https://www.2030wrg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2030WRG_WBG_LOGO_RGB-new.png00Alida Phamhttps://www.2030wrg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2030WRG_WBG_LOGO_RGB-new.pngAlida Pham2020-10-27 10:00:182020-11-11 16:32:25PRESS RELEASE Global Coalition unites to tackle the urban water crisis and address climate change through public-private collaboration
Integrated solutions that deliver 50L per day, per person
in-home water consumption in urban residential living.
Water has been a top five risk on the World Economic Forum Development Report for nine consecutive years. This speaks to the insufficiency of our collective efforts to-date to address this risk. We understand the impacts and dependencies of water on other key risks. For example, the failure of urban planning and critical infrastructure failure, and many other risk factors that are relevant for today’s discussions around water security.
Water risk manifests at a local level. And what we see is that more and more cities are impacted by water stress. Three quarters of the world’s largest 20 cities are experiencing water scarcity. This impacts food and energy security and ultimately causes hardship for people. In cities across the world from LA to São Paolo, from Cairo to Chennai, we are seeing city officials needing to respond. The water stress that Cape Town experienced in 2018 was a day-zero scenario where the threat of running out of water catalyzed much stakeholder action.
And as is often the case, crisis compels action, but can also lay the foundations for a more resilient future. At the height of the drought in Cape Town, citizens were limited to 50 liters per person per day. When one compares this to global averages, this is up to 10 times less than some cities in the US, for example. What Cape Town taught us was that 50 liters per person per day is sufficient. The need for concerted action between business, cities, and civil society to accelerate action towards water security, is where the 50 Liter Home Coalition works with multiple stakeholders to build a global movement that catalyzes action on the ground.
To learn more, please see below the materials from the virtual events organized by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, fellow Coalition member:
September 22, 2020 – “Re-Inventing Our Urban Water Future“: Affiliate Session at World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Impact Summit 2020 | session recording and presentation
https://www.2030wrg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2030WRG_WBG_LOGO_RGB-new.png00Alida Phamhttps://www.2030wrg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2030WRG_WBG_LOGO_RGB-new.pngAlida Pham2020-09-30 04:32:132020-09-30 09:39:5050L Home Coalition: Next-Generation Urban Water Management
2030 WRG participated in the Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Summit with an affiliate session that, in light of COVID-19, stressed the need to raise water as a top priority of stakeholders and further busting of silos. The session gathered over 150 people and shared how MSPs mobilize action and lead to results with country examples focused around reforms generated through MSPs in transforming value chains and building resilience.
Mari Pangestu, Managing Director Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank
Tony Milikin, Chief Sustainability, Procurement, and Circular Ventures Officer, AB InBev
Vimal Shah, Chairman, Bidco Africa, Kenya
Mercedes Castro, CEO, Agualimpia, Peru
Andrew Tuimur, Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, Kenya
KV Raju, Chief Economic Advisor, Government of Uttar Pradesh State, India
Ajay Bathija, Managing Director, Coca Cola Bangladesh
Anil Jain, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Jain Irrigation, India
Ningappa Sandigawad, Progressive Farmer, Ramthal, India
Juergen Voegele, Vice President for Sustainable Development, World Bank
Paul Bulcke, Chairman of the Board, Nestlé
The discussions focused on three key areas of joint action:
making a strong, evidence-based case for water as a public health priority; for water as an environmental priority; and for water as an economic growth priority – and the need to break down the silos between these;
the crucial importance of country ownership and locally-led, multi-stakeholder partnerships to drive policy and implementation on the ground that is inclusive, transparent and scalable;
the importance of transforming value chains across different industry sectors, from agriculture to mining and manufacturing.
Sessions conclusions and next steps include:
Delving deeper and leveraging WBG investments for greater impact in the countries of 2030 WRG Multi-Stakeholder Platforms
Expanding 2030 WRG presence from national and state levels to the city level as well as gradually to new countries
Innovating faster and shaping the global agenda on value chain transformation, circular economy promotion and resilience, for systemic impact.
2030 WRG has already developed collective action models across 14 countries and states. Now, as part of the World Bank’s Water Global Practice, the program needs to scale, replicate, and expand its impact in the 10-year stretch to reach the 2030 SDGs.
We look forward to continuing the conversation with many of you and if you would like reach out to us about deeper involvement in 2030 WRG, please do get in touch.
https://www.2030wrg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2030WRG_WBG_LOGO_RGB-new.png00Alida Phamhttps://www.2030wrg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2030WRG_WBG_LOGO_RGB-new.pngAlida Pham2020-09-30 03:54:552020-09-30 05:04:22“Restarting Economies, Building Resilience”: 2030 WRG Affiliate Session at World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Impact Summit 2020
2030 WRG celebrates World Water Day with partners
World Water Day is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of freshwater. It is coordinated by UN-Water and led by one or more UN-Water Members and Partners with a related mandate. World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
This year’s theme is valuing water. The 2021 campaign is generating a global, public conversation on social media about how people value water for all its uses. The aim is to create a more comprehensive understanding of how water is valued by different people in different contexts so we can safeguard this precious resource for everyone.
2021 World Water Development Report
Five different perspectives on Valuing Water
Download the UN World Water Development Report 2021
The Position Paper on Valuing Water in Bangladesh, recently published by 2030 WRG, the Government of Bangladesh, and the High-Level and Technical Valuing Water Committees of the Bangladesh Water Multi-Stakeholder Platform (BWMSP), outlines the importance of Valuing Water and provides some thoughts as to how this can be done. The position paper includes case studies on how these three approaches have been applied in the country. These case studies focus on agricultural practices in Barind Tract, falling groundwater tables in Dhaka, and balancing competing water demands in Halda River.
The position paper discusses three possible approaches to Valuing Water:
Download the Position Paper
UN General Assembly: High Level Panel on Water
Ahead of World Water Day, the President of the General Assembly convened a one-day high-level meeting to promote the implementation of the water-related goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda in support of the implementation of the Decade on Water and Sustainable Development (2018-2028) and the high-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF).
Members discussed the implementation of the Water-related goals and targets of the 2030 agenda, urgent action on water for 2030, and a sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Two panel discussions were held on Data and Information and Governance, and Financing, Innovation and Capacity Building. Watch the recording here.
WOW! 2021
As the World Bank Group aspires to foster a green, resilient, inclusive and transformative recovery around the world, the Water Global Practice rises to the challenges of climate change and COVID-19 in its yearly flagship event:Water Online Week 2021: Water, Climate, Action!
Joined by decision-makers, influencers and experts, the World Bank Water Global Practice, theGlobal Water Security and Sanitation Partnership(GWSP) and the2030 Water Resources Group (2030 WRG) will highlight the critical importance of delivering water supply and sanitation services, sustaining water resources and building resilience during a week-long virtual event. The vision of a Water-Secure World for All is key to fostering green energy, ensuring food security, and promoting healthy behaviors that will underpin a sustainable future for people and the planet.
2030 WRG co-hosted the CEO Panel that was held during the opening on Monday, 22 March, 2021. Featured external guest speakers included:
The Forum | Scientists looked at more than 200,000 bodies of water from space. This is why.
World Economic Forum writer Joe Myers writes that researchers have used NASA satellite data to examine 227,386 bodies of water to understand more about the extent of human influence on the global hydrological cycle. He notes that such research is “essential for the sustainability of freshwater resources on Earth”, the scientists involved say in introducing their research. Their most striking finding? Humans are responsible for more than half (57%) of the fluctuations in seasonal surface water storage.
Read the story here and find out what the World Economic Forum is doing about closing the gap between global water demand and supply through its collaboration with 2030 WRG.
Unilever | Six actions we’re taking to secure water for all
On World Water Day we look at six ways Unilever is innovating and collectively working with partners to secure water for all. And we hear from the people working on these projects who tell us what the value of water means to them.
“Through innovation, partnership and stewardship, we can change the narrative around water from one that’s solely focused on risk to one that is focused on resilience. From one where water is a threat to one that is thinking about water as an opportunity,” explains Rochi Khemka, Global Partnerships Coordinator with 2030 WRG. Read the statement here.
PepsiCo | PepsiCo helps more than 55 million people globally gain access to safe water with partners
PepsiCo Inc, and the PepsiCo Foundation announced this week that the company has helped more than 55 million people gain access to safe water globally since 2006 and catalyzed nearly $700 million in additional funding to support safe water access investments in partnership with leading non-profits worldwide. The milestone announced today marks significant progress towards PepsiCo’s goal of reaching 100 million people with safe water by 2030. The Foundation also announced today new programs to help communities recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Building sustainable, resilient societies that can respond to shocks and stresses like the COVID-19 crisis requires strong cross-sectoral collaboration. PepsiCo has pioneered safe water access since 2006 and championed multi-stakeholder models globally with leading partners as an effective construct to build trust and tackle interconnected issues related to water security,” saidKarin Krchnak, Program Manager, 2030 Water Resources Group. “Together, we’ve helped unlock the transformative force of business alongside civil society organizations and governments as a bridge to greater cooperation and positive development results.”
Read the press statement here.
The 2030 Water Resources Group and the Water Authority of Mongolia will establish a Groundwater Management Centre on the basis of the developed national groundwater dashboard to support decisions on groundwater availability & water allocation. Learn more (text only in Mongolian).
IWRA | World Water Day Webinar
Bangladesh National News Channel on Valuing Water
Special Feature Story: Shaping Policy on Valuing Water in Bangladesh
By Jennifer Gulland
In the land of the world’s largest river delta, famous for its epic monsoons, millions of people do not have safe drinking water. Many Bangladeshis spend each day collecting water and making it safe enough to use, taking time from other necessary activities such as childcare, education, and household chores. These indirect costs need to be considered alongside direct threats to human and environmental health when making decisions and investments relating to water management and socio-economic development. In a country where most water services do not have a price tag to allow for cost recovery, we need to value water better – not necessarily through pricing, but through sustainable actions.
Read more
PRESS RELEASE | Hungary, IFC, and 2030 WRG Expand on Successful Partnership to Create Markets and Respond to COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, March 2, 2021 – The Government of Hungary and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, formally kicked off the next phase of their partnership today, agreeing to work together on IFC’s creating markets strategy and on its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The expanded partnership builds on Hungary’s initial investment in 2014 which provided $20 million of contributions to agribusiness, energy, health, and water management sectors in middle-income countries, benefitting 33 million people.
This next phase of the partnership is providing an additional $10 million for IFC’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, its upstream advisory work to unlock more bankable projects that lead to private sector investments, and to the mission of the 2030 Water Resources Group, hosted by the World Bank.
“This partnership is very important for Hungary, which aims to support advisory programs and create new market opportunities to further increase the visibility of Hungarian support for private sector development among relevant stakeholders. The IFC Trust Fund will have a stronger focus of advisory activities on thematic areas in the selected countries as well as focusing on green growth including water and climate-smart solutions, SME finance and information and communications technology,” said Gábor Gion, Minister of State of the Hungarian Ministry of Finance.
“Expanding the Hungary-IFC partnership is a celebration on two fronts: it’s an opportunity to take stock of all that has been accomplished and an opportunity to imagine what more we can do together,” said Karin Finkelston, Vice President of Partnerships, Communication, and Outreach at IFC. “IFC’s partnership with Hungary has changed lives for the better by unlocking opportunities for small businesses, addressing climate change, and improving water management.”
The expansion and extension of the Hungary-IFC partnership comes at a critical time for development, as the world enters the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic and private sector investment in emerging markets is necessary to revive economies.
“Through this collaboration we look forward to deepening our engagement with countries to amplify impact, and combine our strengths in incubation of new solutions and private sector mobilization with financing strengths and technical know-how to achieve a Water-Secure World for All,” said Juergen Voegele, Vice President for Sustainable Development at the World Bank.
To date, the Hungary-IFC partnership has disbursed 49,567 small and medium enterprise (SME) loans and 8,399 sustainable energy finance (SEF) loans. These represent a value of $408 million in SME loans and $80 billion in SEF loans. Geographically, the Hungary-IFC partnership covers 31 countries with the largest funds allocated to East Asia (32%), Eastern Europe (29%), and Africa (15%).
Press Contact:
Trevor Harris Kincaid
tkincaid@ifc.org
(202) 629-8263
IFC to facilitate 1st wastewater management in Gazipur under PPP
Aims to treat domestic sewage that will benefit nearly 230,000 households
2 DECEMBER 2020 – Gazipur City Corporation is set to receive a wastewater and sludge treatment system in two of its urban zones under the public private partnership model (PPP), aiming to treat domestic sewage that will benefit nearly 230,000 households.
With an estimated cost of $82 million, the pilot project will include a sewerage network of nearly 137 kilometers, two sewage treatment plants of about 56 million liters per day cumulative capacity, mechanical desludging of septic tanks, and transportation of fecal sludge to three treatment plants.
The move follows the signing of an agreement between IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Public-Private Partnership Authority to provide transaction advisory services to help set up a wastewater management system in Gazipur and Tongi areas of GCC, said a press release.
The project was the result of a three-year effort by the Bangladesh Water Multi Stakeholder Partnership, facilitated by the 2030 Water Resources Group, a public-private-civil society multi-donor trust fund hosted by the World Bank Group.
Sultana Afroz, CEO of Bangladesh Public-Private Partnership Authority, said that the initiative was a big step towards meeting the government’s goal of improving environmental and wastewater treatment standards in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The economic fallout from the impact of COVID-19 makes mobilizing funds and expertise from the private sector more important than ever,” said Wendy Werner, IFC country manager for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.
Last year, IFC assisted the government to develop a water distribution network and supply facilities with a capacity to produce 340 million litres of potable water per day for the estimated 1.5 million residents of Purbachal.
Gazipur, which is a major hub for manufacturing of readymade garments, the country’s main export item, has seen rapid urbanization over the past two decades.
At present, the city of over two million people does not have a wastewater treatment plant or a centralized sewerage network.
Nearly 70 per cent of the 230,000 households in Gazipur and Tongi areas rely on a decentralized system, which is typically a conventional septic tank and pit latrines, while the wastewater generated by the remaining 30 per cent is discharged directly into open drains or water bodies.
IFC’s advice in public-private partnerships is helping national and municipal governments in developing countries partner with the private sector to offer tangible benefits to millions of people by improving access to education, energy, transport, healthcare, and sanitation.
IFC has advised on the structuring of nine PPPs in the water sector, including supply and treatment, and is currently working on three projects worldwide.
Tanzania Multi-Sector Forum on Water Resources: Collaboration Key to Ensuring Water Security
Senior leaders from the Tanzanian water sector convened at the Julius Nyerere International Conference Centre in Dar es Salaam on 3rd December 2020 for the 4th National Multi-Sector Forum on Water Resources to explore strategies for strengthening collaboration among stakeholders in Tanzania’s water sector. The theme for this year’s event, which also accommodated virtual participation, was “accelerating realization of water security for all through enhanced multi-sectoral dialogues.”
The forum, which was hosted by the Ministry of Water in collaboration with the 2030 Water Resources Group, Global Affairs Canada, and Shahidi wa Maji, aimed to enhance cross-sectoral coordination as envisioned in the country’s Integrated Water Resources Management Development (IWRMD) Plans by breaking down institutional silos and catalyzing the exchange of knowledge, expertise, technologies and financial resources required to improve the country’s future water security.
“[T]he forum is a platform for candidly discussing different issues related to water resources management and development in this country and providing solutions or recommendations as well. In this way, we all collectively contribute to making decisions on this important resource as envisioned in the National Water Policy of 2002.” said the Permanent Secretary for Water, Eng. Anthony Sanga, during his opening address.
Tanzania is endowed with relatively abundant freshwater resources, but these are unevenly distributed and increasingly at risk. Water demand in the key economic sectors of agriculture, energy and manufacturing is rising sharply alongside rising requirements from population growth for supplying domestic consumption, improving the conditions of the poor and for the environment.
The need to work collaboratively is therefore more urgent than ever. Climate change is likely to have severe consequences for Tanzania through increased temperatures, changes in rainfall, increasingly frequent extreme weather events and rising sea levels.
The aim of the one-day event was to enhance collaboration, build synergies amongst actors and highlight collective action in water resources management. The overall objective was to bring together diverse actors in the water sector to discuss and deliberate on effective ways to achieve sustainable water resources management and enhance key sectors and other stakeholders’ participation for improved water security for all.
“Together in this unique group we have and still can accomplish so much as opposed to a situation where there would have been only one sector” said the Forum Chairperson, Eng. Mbogo Futakamba. “This has always been my motto, ‘if you want to reach far, move together – but if you want to move faster, move alone’”
Earlier this year, recognizing the value of collaboration to achieving the country’s water security goals, the Ministry of Water facilitated the enactment of legislation to roll out the multi-sectoral forum on water resources to the basin level, with some basins cascading the concept down to catchment level. The forum enabled a deeper understanding of how these initiatives are impacting other sectors and will allow for the sharing of best practices and innovation.
The event also focused on the contributions of the private sector towards water stewardship and strengthened water security. The private sector has tremendous capacity to incentivize stakeholders across other sectors by setting precedence, especially in terms of technological innovation. The forums provided a platform for private companies to highlight their contributions in the larger spectrum of addressing water security in Tanzania with the view to exchange knowledge and best practices within the context of building a strong private sector dialogue on water stewardship.
The forum also highlighted ongoing as well as potential contributions of the media towards supporting desired changes in society for achieving water security for all through educating the masses and raising awareness.
The forum, now officially in its fourth year, brings together senior leaders from government, business, research institutions, and civil society, to strengthen inter-sectoral collaboration, inform decision making at the national and basin levels, and help shape an improved institutional framework for decision making.
Setting the path for 2030 WRG scale-up
The 2030 WRG Governing Council met virtually at the end of November 2020. The meeting was an important milestone in setting the path for 2030 WRG scale-up. Building on the guidance to 2030 WRG from the Steering Board over the past year, the Council centered on the strategic directions of 2030 WRG in more fully engaging partners, leveraging the World Bank Group, and elevating and raising the visibility of 2030 WRG to be the vehicle of choice in collective action on improving water management across sectors.
GC members expressed support for 2030 WRG to expand to new countries and states while innovating on models to generate financial sustainability at different levels. Building on the GC meeting of September 2019, the GC supported the development of the City-based MSP model as part of deepening engagement in countries. The GC also supported the development of “program accelerators” in countries with more mature MSPs as a key strategic pillar of the scale-up strategy of 2030 WRG. Global private sector partners expressed interest and offered their support to engage with the 2030 WRG Secretariat in shaping, conceptualizing, and actively being part of the accelerator programs.
2030 WRG will also increase links with the climate and nature agendas to further explore circular economy and nature-based solutions as part of a larger effort to look at water security and resilience planning and adding more shades of blue to sustainable financing.
South Africa Water Stewardship Event Emphasizes Good Governance And Sustainable Investments For Green Recovery
The 6th Annual Water Stewardship Event convened online today and provided examples of how strengthening water sector governance and stewardship practices can provide a pathway for a green and inclusive recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. The pandemic has caused the country’s real Gross Domestic Product to contract by 17 percent in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the same time last year and exacerbated pre-existing vulnerabilities in the water sector. Over 200 water sector representatives including officials from government, industry, finance, civil society and development organisations were in attendance for the virtual event jointly hosted by the National Business Initiative (NBI), the Strategic Water Partners Network (SWPN), the Royal Danish Embassy and supported by GIZ’s Natural Resources Stewardship Programme (NatuReS).
According to the World Health Organisation, washing hands with soap and water is the single most effective measure against the spread of COVID-19, putting equitable access to water and sanitation at the center of the pandemic response. The National Water and Sanitation Master Plan indicates that only 65 percent of South Africans have access to safe and reliable water services while 14.1 million people lack access to decent sanitation. Moreover, the South African water sector struggles with financial challenges and capacity restrictions, constraining its ability to bridge the service delivery gap, a situation exacerbated by the impacts of the pandemic. These challenges are aggravated by a lack of accountability linked to the governance, management, and oversight of the sector itself. With water as a key enabler of economic growth, there is an opportunity to leverage green and sustainable investments in the sector to support South Africa’s efforts to build back better.
In the opening session, Trevor Balzer, Acting Director General of the Department of Water and Sanitation, appealed to the water sector to “embrace the power of partnerships between private, public and civil society to work together to close the water gap through taking a water stewardship approach.” Mr. Balzer urged local and international investors to “come and invest in our water infrastructure which remains one of the most meaningful ways to create jobs, enable economic growth, reduce inequalities and support small, medium, and micro-enterprises.”
In a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive Q&A divided over two thematic sessions, participants explored what needs to be done to strengthen water sector governance and encourage the much-needed water investments required to support a post-COVID-19 green recovery.
Morning Session: Robust Governance for Sustainable Recovery
The overarching message of the morning session was that strengthening water sector governance is a prerequisite to improve performance and bring about a much-needed recovery in the sector.
“Strong systems and institutions are needed to drive effective water resources management and expanding access to water and sanitation services” says Martin Ginster, Co-Chair of the SWPN. “As we look towards the future, good water governance will be needed to ensure an adequate supply of water at an acceptable quality to prevent and fight future pandemics.”
For the public sector, this involves improving financial management and technical capacity at both national and municipal levels. Strengthening good governance requires a clear understanding of powers and functions, mandated responsibility and the inter-dependency between resource protection, usage, planning and development across all spheres of government. This understanding must be met with clear institutional arrangements that can further advance good sector governance.
In the private sector, while there is a strong focus on corporate accountability in terms of sustainability, there is a need to strengthen corporate leadership on water security specifically.
Throughout the morning, speakers emphasized the importance of greater participation and diversity of voices in decision-making as a means of strengthening transparency and accountability. Community-led good governance practice, whereby communities are equipped and informed on how to both engage with government and private sector stakeholders, as well as hold them to account for specific actions linked to water conservation and demand management, offers a proven avenue for strengthening accountability and transparency in decision-making. Examples of such action include participatory planning and budgeting processes, deepening understanding of procurement systems and participating in planning of projects that require a balanced understanding of economic development opportunity and natural resource protection measures.
Afternoon Session: Water Investments for a Post-COVID-19 Green Recovery
The focus of the afternoon session explored the opportunities afforded by green financing. The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a wake-up call over the reality of environmental risks with human-related causes. As governments all over the world, including South Africa, make significant investments into emergency support programs, there is a need to ensure recovery packages honor the balance between jump-starting economic growth and restoring jobs as well as protecting natural capital.
The session was opened by HE Mr. Tobias Elling Rehfeld, the Danish Ambassador to South Africa. In his address, he urged the sector to rapidly scale-up investments in order to achieve the country’s water and sanitation delivery goals. Such investments can also be an important lever of economic recovery. “Water infrastructure investments in particular are crucial to stimulate growth and job creation” he said, pointing to the sector’s funding deficit of approximately R300 billion over the next ten years. “South Africa needs all hands-on deck, and Denmark is ready to step up our support in terms of partnership programmes, water sector technology and finance.”
Opportunities for sustainable investing in the water sector include reducing water losses, repairing and maintaining water infrastructure and enabling nature-based solutions to achieve water security and improved water resource management.
“Investments in water should be used to build greater resilience and more effective management of water-related risks. At the same time, we need to reinforce water governance to ensure the reliable delivery of water for priority uses” says Alex McNamara, Water and Climate Manager with NBI, who provided an overview of key takeaways in the closing session. “COVID-19 has reinforced the importance of access to safe and reliable water, and we have a responsibility to learn from our experience over the last year to build back greener, stronger, and better.”
PRESS RELEASE Global Coalition unites to tackle the urban water crisis and address climate change through public-private collaboration
FOR RELEASE: 10/27/2020 @ 7 AM EST
Companies, policymakers, cities and citizens will develop and scale innovations that reinvent water consumption in the home and drive system-level transformation
GENEVA, Oct. 27, 2020 — Launched today, the 50L Home Coalition (Coalition) is a global action-oriented platform addressing two of the world’s most pressing challenges: water security and climate change. This global collaboration aims to re-invent the future of water and change the narrative on domestic water consumption by making a water-efficient lifestyle – 50 Liters (L) of daily water use per person – an irresistible aspiration for all.
The world is in the midst of an urban water crisis, and the pressures on our limited resources are only accelerating. Seventy percent of the world’s 20 megacities are already experiencing water scarcity or drought conditions, disrupting business, threatening health and exacerbating inequalities. The average home in the developed world is highly inefficient, and average per capita household water use is as high as 500L per day. Because an estimated 16% of total energy use in the home is related to water, this disproportionate domestic water consumption is also contributing to climate change.
The Coalition will advance policies, technologies and cross-industry collaboration to drive responsible water consumption in residential households and commercial buildings as a strategic lever to transform urban water management. Convened by the 2030 Water Resources Group (2030 WRG), World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and World Economic Forum, the Coalition is led by a pioneering leadership group of private sector, public sector and civil society representatives, including Arcadis, Electrolux, Engie, Kohler, Procter & Gamble and Suez. Under the direction of the Board, Braulio Eduardo Morera will lead the 50L Home Coalition as director, starting December 15.
The Coalition will collaborate across four key pillars to accelerate progress towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 6 (clean water and sanitation), 12 (responsible consumption and production) and 13 (climate action):
In facilitating collaboration across these four pillars, the Coalition aims to make responsible household water consumption a key aspect of cities’ climate, water security and resiliency strategies.
“Our brands reach five billion people around the world, and with this scale comes a responsibility to continue innovating our products to help save energy, water and natural resources,” said Shailesh G. Jejurikar, Chief Executive Officer, Fabric and Home Care, Procter & Gamble and Co-Chair of the Coalition. “We need unprecedented collaboration between businesses, government and civil society to make 50 liters of daily water use per person a reality.”
“Through the 50L Home Coalition, we will leverage our global presence, our water chemistry expertise and our innovation in water and energy-efficient products to accelerate positive change,” said Virginie Helias, Chief Sustainability Officer, Procter & Gamble. “We need to partner with the entire water value chain through public and private collaboration, and we need cities and citizens to engage. Together, we can bring to life this ambitious and inspiring vision, re-imagining how people live in their homes so that we can collectively protect our common Home.”
“The 50L Home Coalition is a terrific way to engage and educate consumers to be better water stewards in their home and for the planet,” said David Kohler, President and CEO of Kohler Co. “This opportunity pushes us even further to innovate and deliver the next generation of water-efficient products and solutions that offer transformative value to our customers and partners. We’re excited to contribute and be in the company of several other forward-thinking organizations poised to create positive change.”
“There is still time to stop our cities from running out of water, but we must act together to do so,” said Peter Oosterveer, Global Chief Executive, Arcadis. “If we can reduce each person’s water use to around 50 liters per day, we can help preserve this resource for future generations and make a positive contribution to the fight against climate change. This is why Arcadis has joined the 50L Coalition and why we’re taking action to help ensure everyone has access to clean water.”
“Water issues moved from being difficult to solve to being complex. Water, health, food, climate, energy, agriculture issues are all interconnected, and cannot be addressed in silo,” said Annelise Avril, SUEZ Senior VP Innovation, Digital Transformation & Research. “No single stakeholder has the whole answer. SUEZ joins the 50L Home Coalition because we are convinced we need to join forces, combine our skills and expertise to come up with adequate solutions.”
“2030 WRG brings a multi-stakeholder model of collaboration that drives change through collective action on the ground,” said Karin Krchnak, 2030 WRG Program Manager. “We are excited to join the 50L Home Coalition to transform how water is used and valued by all, particularly at the urban level, as cities face increasing risks of water insecurity, shared by governments, the private sector and civil society.”
“The pandemic of 2020 has brought to light the importance of water as a front-line public health defence. In the home, we need water to cook, clean, hydrate and for hygiene,” said Peter Bakker, President and CEO, World Business Council for Sustainable Development. “Business is already providing solutions that reduce and remove the need for water used in the home. But we can do so much more. Through the 50L Home Coalition, we want to accelerate and scale the deployment of practical solutions for sustainability that reach the household and trigger systemic change.”
“As cities worldwide face increasing pressure to meet the needs for competing water resource demands, re-inventing our urban water systems to be more resilient and resource-efficient becomes critically important,” said Dominic Waughray, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. “Achieving systemic change can best be achieved through multi-stakeholder coalitions and fostering cooperation and innovation across a diverse group of leaders – the 50L Home Coalition is an exciting global action platform that will turn this vision into reality.”
“The 50L Home Coalition offers an opportunity to accelerate innovations to enable communities’ appropriate and responsible use of water resources,” said Braulio Eduardo Morera, Director, 50L Home Coalition. “I am excited about the prospect of leveraging the capabilities of the private sector, public sector and civil society. Together we will build strong collaborations with policymakers, national and local leaders and innovators to help cities adapt to climate change and avoid acute water crises.”
Reinventing water consumption in the home is not something one company or organization can do alone. The Coalition invites visionary leaders from companies, cities or civil society that are committed to solving the urban water crisis and addressing climate change to join the Coalition. To learn more about the Coalition’s projects, members or upcoming events, visit 50lhome.org.
CONTACT
Rachel Stand
Hill + Knowlton Strategies
Rachel.Stand@hkstrategies.com
(516) 761– 5892
50L Home Coalition: Next-Generation Urban Water Management
Integrated solutions that deliver 50L per day, per person
in-home water consumption in urban residential living.
Water has been a top five risk on the World Economic Forum Development Report for nine consecutive years. This speaks to the insufficiency of our collective efforts to-date to address this risk. We understand the impacts and dependencies of water on other key risks. For example, the failure of urban planning and critical infrastructure failure, and many other risk factors that are relevant for today’s discussions around water security.
Water risk manifests at a local level. And what we see is that more and more cities are impacted by water stress. Three quarters of the world’s largest 20 cities are experiencing water scarcity. This impacts food and energy security and ultimately causes hardship for people. In cities across the world from LA to São Paolo, from Cairo to Chennai, we are seeing city officials needing to respond. The water stress that Cape Town experienced in 2018 was a day-zero scenario where the threat of running out of water catalyzed much stakeholder action.
And as is often the case, crisis compels action, but can also lay the foundations for a more resilient future. At the height of the drought in Cape Town, citizens were limited to 50 liters per person per day. When one compares this to global averages, this is up to 10 times less than some cities in the US, for example. What Cape Town taught us was that 50 liters per person per day is sufficient. The need for concerted action between business, cities, and civil society to accelerate action towards water security, is where the 50 Liter Home Coalition works with multiple stakeholders to build a global movement that catalyzes action on the ground.
To learn more, please see below the materials from the virtual events organized by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, fellow Coalition member:
“Restarting Economies, Building Resilience”: 2030 WRG Affiliate Session at World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Impact Summit 2020
2030 WRG participated in the Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Summit with an affiliate session that, in light of COVID-19, stressed the need to raise water as a top priority of stakeholders and further busting of silos. The session gathered over 150 people and shared how MSPs mobilize action and lead to results with country examples focused around reforms generated through MSPs in transforming value chains and building resilience.
Please see the link to the recording
See also attached Mr Sandigawad’s remarks (translated into English). He spoke in Hindi during the event. Apologies the closed captioning did not work for everyone.
Speakers included (in order of appearance)
The discussions focused on three key areas of joint action:
Sessions conclusions and next steps include:
2030 WRG has already developed collective action models across 14 countries and states. Now, as part of the World Bank’s Water Global Practice, the program needs to scale, replicate, and expand its impact in the 10-year stretch to reach the 2030 SDGs.
We look forward to continuing the conversation with many of you and if you would like reach out to us about deeper involvement in 2030 WRG, please do get in touch.