WINZ | WATER INITIATIVE FOR NET ZERO
Water is make or break for climate action
Wetlands and peatlands can store up to twice as much carbon as forests yet are being destroyed 3x as fast.
Wastewater generates nearly as much emissions as the aviation industry.
Drip irrigation would reduce methane emissions from rice production by 50%.
These are some examples of WINZ, where water action is a climate solution.
OUR MISSION
WINZ is an initiative whose mission is to promote water’s role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow climate change. To move from inspiration to impact, WINZ mobilizes experts to provide evidence-based guidance for solutions which address water-related risks and influence climate action.
Water actions for Net Zero
Smart water management can greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is essential to ensure sustainable, resilient net-zero action across sectors. Water-related actions with big impacts on curbing or containing emissions can be found in nature, agriculture, clean energy, sanitation and water utilities.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Ready to take the next step?
Water is a critical component of any comprehensive strategy to achieve the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets being set by political leaders and decision makers around the world. Engage with WINZ to accelerate opportunities to reduce emissions and deliver substantial social and economic benefits through freshwater and wastewater management.