World Water Day: Five Ways Water is Make or Break for Climate Action
This World Water Day, 22 March, is focusing on how water can drive cooperation and peace – while its mismanagement can lead to conflict and loss. The mismanagement of water is also a driving force in emissions of greenhouse gases. These emissions are accelerating climate change and have contributed to 2023 the warmest year on record according to World Meteorological Organization.
Today, all eyes are on water – widely recognized for life, health and a majority of economic activity. But out of sight, and dangerously out of mind is water’s role in tackling climate change. Did you know? Wastewater generates nearly as much emissions as the aviation industry. Most don't. In total, water related activities account for more than 10% of total emissions – double that of aviation and shipping combined.
Water is an enabler for so much of climate action from nature to the clean energy transition. WINZ exists to work with partners like you and highlight opportunities where water-related actions can have a big impact on reducing emissions.
What can we do?
1) Protect, restore and maintain peatlands, wetlands and freshwater ecosystems
This ensures they can absorb carbon from the atmosphere, which is the single most effective use of water to lower emissions. Degraded peatlands alone account for 5% of total emissions each year, while wetlands systems overall store 2-3 times more carbon than forests do. Ensuring our freshwater systems stay healthy and clean ensures they remain critical GHG sinks.
2) Grow rice with less water and less methane
Rice and soy are the most GHG intensive crops, with rice production accounting for 8% of global anthropogenic methane emissions (and roughly 2% of total GHG emissions). Alternative practices, such as the use of drip irrigation or system of rice intensification (SRI) have proven to dramatically reduce water use and GHG emissions while also increasing yield per unit of land.
3) Optimize utility performance towards net zero emissions
Utilities can reduce emissions, improve operations and lower costs over time. Such actions include 1) use of renewable energy sources to meet electricity demands 2) optimizing aeration efficiency to reduce dissolved GHGs in the final effluent and 3) promoting low-impact sludge disposal, with energy and mineral recovery where possible. Further, for wastewater treatment plants, capturing and production of biogas can be a win-win to reduce emissions and produce clean energy. Utilities worldwide have made amazing strides to reduce emissions towards net-zero - leading the way for others to learn, invest and act today.
4) Promote resilient sanitation solutions that reduce methane emissions
Safe water and sanitation services must be expanded to provide for current and growing populations worldwide. Research suggests emissions from non-sewered sanitation systems, estimated at 5% of total global methane emissions, are underestimated and set to grow as solutions are needed to serve more people. A number of options can reduce emissions. Use of dry sanitation in decentralized sanitation systems is one of the ways to reduce emissions in the delivery of sanitation as part of a coherent approach to both decarbonize the water sector while building resilience to climate impacts. Active management of pits and tanks through regular desludging, and the deployment of aerobic treatment technologies (especially those that do not require electricity inputs) can also have positive impacts.
5) Integrate water-resilient planning and management into clean energy transitions
The pathway to energy security and lower emissions could exacerbate water stress or be limited by it. This risk can be reduced by integrating analysis of projected demands, availability, and impacts on water as well as potential shifts in water availability caused by climate change into all low-emission energy transition plans at national, regional, and local levels. This is essential for the development and operation of bioenergy, nuclear, geothermal and hydropower. Transitions to energy grids powered by wind and solar will require energy storage solutions, where our primary options include pumped storage hydropower, green hydrogen and batteries. Application of emerging and best practices in climate resilient water management will be critical to the sustainable development of all these options. There are even further opportunities to reduce emissions, for example, with technologies and practices to limit methane emissions from hydropower reservoirs.
Those working in and with the water sector should recognize we are one of the protagonists on the essential journey to net zero emissions that will safeguard our planet and people worldwide. We would love to hear your stories, solutions and suggestions to accelerate water action for net-zero emissions.
