Climate Change

Climate Change

Water-related hazards account for 90% of all natural hazards and their frequency and intensity is generally rising.

Climate change most significantly manifests in disrupting the water cycle. Changing weather and water patterns are driving global water scarcity, and increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.  The impacts transverse scales and resiliency at the basin, city and utility level need to be coordinated to ensure adaptation measures are effective.

Projects

See projects in this thematic area

Climate Smart Utilities

With urgent action needed on mitigation and adaptation, utilities from around the world, regardless of their size or loc...

Water-Wise Cities

Humanity cannot thrive and survive without water. Cities cannot function without water. A simple, but powerful reality. ...

Nature for Water and Sanitation

The International Water Association (IWA) has partnered with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to advance sustainable catch...

Water Safety Planning

Humanity cannot thrive and survive without water. Cities cannot function without water. A simple, but powerful reality. ...

Blog Posts

Latest opinions and insights relevant to the water sector

As cities in low- and middle-income countries expand rapidly, sanitation infrastructure struggles to keep pace, with nearly 700 million people still lacking eve...
November 30, 2023
As the world turns its attention to COP28, it's essential to recognise that the fight against climate change is deeply intertwined with another global crisis: w...
Dunea, a utility situated in the west of the Netherlands, is committed to providing drinking water in harmony with nature and is taking steps to become a climat...
June 14, 2023
Aarhus Vand has converted wastewater into green energy at the Marselisborg wastewater treatment plant. Over the past decade, the plant has achieved an impressiv...

News / Events

March 21, 2024
As we mark World Water Day 2024, the International Water Association (IWA) provides global leadership on water stewardship. In a special message from our CEO, K...
March 13, 2024
The International Water Association (IWA) is pleased to announce that registration is open for the 19th IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Tech...
December 14, 2023
We are pleased to share the results of the second edition of the IWA Climate Smart Utilities Recognition Programme. The 2023 Recognition Programme aims to raise...
December 10, 2023
The International Water Association (IWA) is delighted to present the final keynote speaker’s lineup for the Water and Development Congress & Exhibition i...