Water is a declared human right, essential for life, but is also a key input into 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.
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.