Wetlands, and especially peatlands, remove and capture even more carbon from the atmosphere than forests do. Better water and soil management can increase their carbon sequestration and also reduce their methane emissions.

Smart management of water for agriculture can reduce energy needs, increase carbon sequestration into soils, improve water retention and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Methane emissions from rice production can be reduced 50-90 percent with improved water management and irrigation practices.

Emissions from wastewater are roughly the same as aviation - about 2% of global emissions. 4% of global electricity use - is required to abstract, store, treat and distribute water for domestic and industrial uses. There are numerous ways water utilities can reduce emissions, improve operations and reduce costs over time.

The shift to any renewable energy has the potential to reduce pressure on water resources but can also create higher demands on water. Pathways to a clean energy transition require concerted action to reduce vulnerabilities of renewable energy grids to water and climate impacts.