Water

New research warns that the extraction of ground water for industries and households is increasingly damaging floodplain forests in Europe given the worsening intensity and length of drought periods in the summer. Floodplain forests predominantly containing oak trees are most at risk.

James Bevan, chief executive of the UK Environment Agency, has warned that England is set to run out of water in 25 years due to population growth, poor water management and climate change. Considering current consumption, if each person reduced their water usage to 100 litres a day by 2050, there would be enough water for an extra 20 million people in the country.

The latest United Nations World Water Development Report, Leaving No One Behind, warns that 45 percent of global GDP and 40 percent of global grain production may be at risk by 2050 due to pressure on water resources. Disparities in access between the rich and the poor, and disproportionate challenges for refugees will further compromise the right to water.

The 2019 edition of the World Water Development Report (WWDR 2019) entitled ‘Leaving No One Behind’ seeks to inform policy and decision-makers, inside and outside the water community, how improvements in water resources management and access to water

Sir James Bevan, the chief executive of the UK's Environment Agency, has warned that England is set to run short of water within 25 years. But the country can avoid a shortage through a plan to cut people’s water use by a third and leakage from water company pipes by 50 percent, along with implementing new reservoirs, more desalination plants and water transfers.

In collaboration with key partners, UN Environment has been implementing in Darfur the Wadi El Ku Catchment Management Project. Beyond building water infrastructure to facilitate farmers' drought resilience, the project has also reduced tensions among communities competing for scarce resources. The second phase aims to expand integrated water resource management.

Newly approved funding from the International Development Association will allow farmers in Sri Lanka to improve agricultural productivity and climate resilience, while also giving them improved access to relevant training and research. The project aims to help farmers in the most exposed regions of the country.

With the World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report listing water crises among the top-five impactful risks, climate change may exacerbate water insecurity and increase the chances of migration and conflict.