Two-thirds of the world’s largest cities are in climate-risk areas, making it essential for water utilities to diversify sources and improve infrastructure resilience. Water systems also contribute to global emissions, necessitating energy efficiency upgrades and better wastewater treatment to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
Building Resilient Water Utilities in a Changing Climate
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has highlighted water as the primary medium through which climate change impacts ecosystems and human livelihoods. Rising global temperatures contribute to floods, droughts, sea level rise and extreme weather, disrupting water availability and quality. These pressures are intensified by population growth and urbanization, threatening biodiversity, agriculture and public health.
Utilities, especially in developing countries, face growing operational challenges while managing climate impacts. Planning based on outdated data leaves infrastructure vulnerable to weather extremes, service disruptions and financial strain. A global response through UN-Habitat’s Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance is key to building resilience and promoting sustainable water management strategies for the future.
Utilizing WOPs to Enhance Climate Resilience
For a water utility, becoming climate-resilient means building the capacity to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from, climate-related disruptions, while maintaining reliable water and sanitation services. This requires adapting infrastructure and operations to withstand extreme weather events - such as floods, droughts and rising sea levels - and embedding sustainable practices into water management. It also involves collaborating with communities and stakeholders to develop a holistic, adaptive strategy for managing water resources in a changing climate.
Water Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs) provide utilities access to global expertise and experience, helping them effectively adapt to climate challenges. These partnerships focus on mentoring, technical assistance and collaborative problem-solving, allowing utilities to identify system vulnerabilities and implement proven solutions. WOPs also promote the sharing of best practices in climate risk assessment and management, enabling utilities to better anticipate and prepare for future climate scenarios. This collaborative approach accelerates adaptation efforts, fostering innovation and efficiency, and making the path to climate resilience more achievable for water utilities worldwide.
Catch up on GWOPA's #UtilityClimateAction webinars Vol. I on flood and drought and Vol. II on heat and wildfire, where 10 utilities from around the world shared how they are addressing climate hazards. The utilities discussed best practices, emergency response strategies and lessons learned. Explore key takeaways on technical, financial and governance solutions, and see how peer-to-peer collaboration is driving resilience in the water sector.
Watch the sessions, available in English, French and Spanish, to gain inspiration and practical knowledge for your utility's climate action efforts.