As we approach COP26 in Glasgow, the Pacific Institute recognizes how pivotal this United Nations Climate Change Conference will be in advancing water on the global climate agenda. After decades of work by water leaders to integrate water and climate solutions, COP26 presents a unique moment in time.
Climate change is drastically affecting the global water cycle. Amid climate change, intensifying floods and droughts have affected people, nature, and economies. Meanwhile, SDG 6 for water is “alarmingly off track,” an estimated 2.2 billion people (about a quarter of the world’s population) lack access to safe drinking water, businesses face material water risks to their direct operations and supply chains, and ecosystems are suffering.
Today, in support of its organizational goal and in anticipation of COP26’s historic opportunity to unite water and climate leaders, the Pacific Institute launched its Water Resilience issue brief. The Pacific Institute defines “water resilience” as the ability of water systems to function so that nature and people, including those on the frontlines and disproportionately impacted, thrive under shocks, stresses, and change.
The Pacific Institute also issued a call to decisionmakers across all segments of society to commit to achieving water resilience by rapidly scaling solutions. These solutions include integrating nature-based solutions with grey infrastructure, as well as increasing investments in water efficiency and reuse. In all cases, the Pacific Institute underscores the importance of including all stakeholders, especially frontline communities often disproportionately impacted by climate change, as well as the natural environment.
Read the blog post “Launch of Pacific Institute Water Resilience Issue Brief” here.
Read the issue brief here.