The UN-Water Expert Group on Water and Climate Change, on behalf of UN-Water, has developed an analytical brief exploring the dependency of climate change mitigation on the use of water and the effective management of water resources and water and sanitation services. The report argues that planning and implementation of countries’ climate plans should be closely aligned with planning and implementation of SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) targets.

Titled, ‘UN-Water Analytical Brief on Water for Climate Mitigation,’ the report views water as an enabler of climate change mitigation, necessary for the clean energy transition as well as the natural and artificial removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Therefore, it argues, “[u]nderstanding water availability and constraints should assist in deciding on climate mitigation options and guide the design of climate mitigation projects.”

The report warns that implementation of many mitigation measures required to limit global warming to 1.5º or 2ºC above pre-industrial levels will have implications for demand for water and its availability. While the phasing out of fossil fuels will reduce water demand by thermal coal power plants, many alternative low-emission energy sources, on the contrary, will increase demand for water. This makes water availability, use, and trends necessary considerations in planning for mitigation actions.

The report calls for identifying and reducing water-related risks by using integrated water resources management (IWRM) and sustainable wastewater management approaches and for consultation and engagement on mitigation actions involving trade-offs with other water uses, to optimize the use of water resources for climate action.

As a way forward, the report recommends, inter alia:

• Aligning climate mitigation and water objectives by considering water availability and usage in climate strategic planning, particularly in the preparation of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and by considering climate change in water, sanitation, and hygiene strategic planning, including for shared transboundary water resources;
• Discussing the role of water in climate mitigation in the UN climate process;
• Assessing new research on water and climate interdependencies in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) current work programme;
• Encouraging and helping local authorities and sub-national governments to ensure the water requirements of mitigation actions are fully considered and incorporated into project plans;
• Investing in water, wastewater, and sanitation actions that deliver greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions; and
• Conducting further research on the carbon and water relationships of different wetland types in different environmental settings and on water needed for different clean energy technologies.

The report’s message to governments as they review and update their NDCs, due in 2025, is that “now is the time to understand how action on water and sanitation can contribute to climate solutions.”

The report was published on 6 November, ahead of the Baku Climate Change Conference, where its findings were discussed to foster collaboration among policymakers, experts, and stakeholders in support of achieving climate change mitigation goals. [Publication: UN-Water Analytical Brief on Water for Climate Mitigation] [Publication Landing Page]