Energy

Energy

Globally, about 20% of accessible fresh water is used for energy production.

Water and wastewater systems are typically energy intensive; at the same time energy production is a large water using industry. The energy used to supply water to cities and clean used water is responsible for 3 – 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing energy efficiency and producing energy from the urban water cycle can result in ‘urban water’ becoming a net energy producer and can even achieve carbon neutrality.

Projects

See projects in this thematic area

Water-Wise Cities

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

Water Safety Planning

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

Strategies for Nexus Infrastructure in Africa

IWA produced a study for the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa (ICA) that outlines a roadmap towards nexus solutions ...

Water and Wastewater Companies for Climate Mitigat...

Carbon and greenhouse gas emissions are driving climate change. Changes in our climate are changes in water, as these gr...

Transitions to the Urban Water Services of Tomorro...

Enabling communities to Achieve a Sustainable, Low-carbon Water Future Without Compromising Service Quality The central...

Blog Posts

Latest opinions and insights relevant to the water sector

EnergyGovernanceThe Americas
March 20, 2024
World Water Day 2024: Navigating the Waters of...
Looking out at Lake Ontario from Toronto’s CN Tower, it is hard not to be struck by the water. H2O as far as the eye can see. Even though it is one of the sma...
Climate changeEnergyEurope
April 21, 2023
Towards a climate neutral water sector: mitiga...
Urban water management is one of the services most affected by the impacts of climate change, threatening the capacity of service providers to deliver safe wate...
Circular EconomyEnergyWastewater
August 17, 2022
Industrial Symbiosis and the Circular Economy ...
In Kalundborg, Denmark, one company´s waste or residual is another company’s resource. This is the site of the world’s first Industrial Symbiosis, which ha...
Climate changeEnergyEuropeGovernance
June 3, 2022
The state of knowledge on GHG emissions in the...
The latest IPCC report made it very clear - once again - that the planet is under severe stress and urgent climate action is needed immediately. It is necessary...

News / Events

Event AgricultureAsia-PacificCircular EconomyClimate changeDevelopmentDigitalisationEnergyEnvironmentEuropeFinanceGovernanceHealthHydrologyIndustryKeynotesLatin AmericaNature-based SolutionsRainwater HarvestingSanitationSDGsSocietyTechnologyThe AmericasUrbanisationWastewaterWaterWater Policy and RegulationWater QualityWater SupplyYoung Water Professionals
20 Oct - 24 Oct 2025 New Zealand/Auckland
10th IWA-ASPIRE Conference and Water New Zealand Conference & Exhibition
20 Oct 2025 12:00:00 24 Oct 2025 18:00:00 Europe/London 10th IWA-ASPIRE Conference and Water New Zealand Conference & Exhibition IWA Event Auckland - New Zealand International Water Association contact@iwa.net
Climate changeEnergyEnvironmentIndustry
July 26, 2021
Call for contributions: Climate action by util...
Utilities, as large producers of GHG emissions, have a big role to play in the green transition and have an opportunity to act as trail blazers for other sector...
Climate changeEnergy
September 11, 2019
Berlin endorses the IWA Water-Wise Principles
On the initiative Berlin’s water utility Berliner Wasserbetriebe and the Berlin Center of Competence for Water (KWB), the City of Berlin has now endorsed the ...
AgricultureClimate changeEnergyEnvironmentSociety
July 9, 2018
The European Green Capital Award for 2020 reco...
The Portuguese city of Lisbon has won the European Green Capital Award for 2020, while the title of European Green Leaf 2019 goes jointly to the cities of Corne...
Event Energy
12 Sep - 13 Sep 2017 Poland/Cracow
IWA Polish YWP Conference
12 Sep 2017 12:00:00 13 Sep 2017 18:00:00 Europe/London IWA Polish YWP Conference IWA Event Cracow - Poland International Water Association contact@iwa.net
AgricultureClimate changeEnergyEnvironmentHealthIndustrySocietyUrbanisation
November 14, 2016
IWA adopts resolution on achieving the Sustain...
2030 timeline to solve all major water challenges Solving global water challenges is now recognised as one of the top priorities for humankind. The recently ad...
Event Climate changeEnergyEnvironmentHealthIndustry
05 Jul - 07 Jul 2017 Belgium/Ghent
IWA Regional Young Water Professionals Conference Benelux
5 Jul 2017 12:00:00 7 Jul 2017 18:00:00 Europe/London IWA Regional Young Water Professionals Conference Benelux IWA Event Ghent - Belgium International Water Association contact@iwa.net
Climate changeEnergyEnvironmentHealthIndustrySocietyUrbanisation
September 26, 2016
Catalyst of the Blue Economy, Gunter Pauli
Gunter Pauli’s Entrepreneurial Journey, from Guru of Biodegradability to Advocacy of Sustainability   It wasn’t enough merely to make and sell biodegra...

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