6 June 2017
World Bank, UN-Water and Industry Promote Knowledge Sharing on Sustainable Water
Photo by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth
story highlights

The World Bank announced its ‘Water-Scarce Cities Initiative’.

The 89th National Construction Industry Meeting in Brasilia, Brazil discussed their industry’s responses to the impacts of climate change, including the threat of water scarcity.

UN-Water announced the launch of the revamped ‘Water Action Hub’ by the CEO Water Mandate.

31 May 2017: The World Bank and the CEO Water Mandate have announced initiatives focused on increasing information, dialogue and knowledge sharing on sustainable water projects, while the 89th National Construction Industry Meeting in Brasilia, Brazil discussed water scarcity in the context of climate change.

On 31 May, the World Bank announced its ‘Water-Scarce Cities Initiative’, which is linking up urban water managers around the world to share their knowledge about ways to ensure sustainable and resilient water systems in regions experiencing water scarcity. Multi-stakeholder dialogues and technical assistance are part of this effort. The programme website features success stories from cities around the world, highlighting good practices on challenges such as wastewater reuse and the rehabilitation of aquifers.

On 15 May, UN-Water announced the launch of the revamped ‘Water Action Hub’ by the CEO Water Mandate. The Water Action Hub is a website that helps to connect people to water-related projects and information; at present, the website has information on projects in more than 2,000 locations. The site has been reorganized so that users can easily identify projects and organizations that are working on specific targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Besides the targets under SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation, water-related targets under other SDGs are also highlighted, including those on disaster management (target 11.5), sustainable production (target 12.4) and climate resilience and adaptation (target 13.1). The UN Global Compact established the CEO Water Mandate in 2007 as a public-private initiative to mobilize business leaders to become good stewards of water.

From 24-26 May, the Brazilian Construction Industry Chamber and the Federal District’s Construction Industry Union organized the 89th National Construction Industry Meeting in Brasilia, Brazil. Participants discussed their industry’s responses to the impacts of climate change, including the threat of water scarcity, and noted the importance of sound water management. During the debate, the Forum’s consultant Glauko Kimura noted “the importance of cooperation among cities to change the water management framework in Brazil and to promote economic and sustainable growth,” warning also of the need to use water efficiently in the construction industry. The Brazilian Sustainable Construction Council reports that the construction industry uses half of the urban drinking water supply, and could reduce its water footprint by turning to alternative water sources. [World Bank Web Story on Water-Scarce Cities Initiative] [World Bank Brochure on Water-Scarce Cities Initiative] [UN-Water Announcement on Water Action Hub] [CEO Water Mandate Website] [World Water Forum Press Release]

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