Water and Climate: Building Resilient Communities (Final Report)
Cairo Water Week (CWW) has emerged as a key event in worldwide water resource management, addressing topics that are relevant on a local, regional, and international scale. Every year, the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) organizes CWW, which is held under the distinguished patronage of H.E. Mr. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. This one-of-a-kind meeting aims to advance cutting-edge information, facilitate strategic relationships, and promote conversation about long-term water solutions.
The 7th edition of Cairo Water Week, held from October 13 to 17, 2024, brought together leaders, experts, and stakeholders from around the world to address some of the most important water and climate issues. This year's conference subject, Water and Climate: Building Resilient Communities, captured the broad desire to address water security concerns in the context of climate uncertainty.
Through five important sub-themes, attendees engaged in thought-provoking debates, expert exchanges, and actionable insights aimed at crafting a resilient future:
• The theme of Transboundary Water Governance for Sustainable Development focuses on cooperation and policy-making to ensure equitable and sustainable water use across boundaries.
• The track "Strategic Water Resources Management in Enhancing Community Resilience" focused on how effective policies and practices might improve community adaptation to climate effects.
• The theme "Innovation and Financing Resilient Solutions for Water Security" focused on innovative ideas and funding approaches to strengthen water systems against climate change.
• Water and Climate Adaptations and Resilience: Practical initiatives and frameworks were highlighted here, demonstrating efforts to integrate water and climate adaption methods to boost resilience.
• Climate-Smart Communities: Planning and Legislation: This issue addressed the role of governance by examining how careful planning and legislation may drive the creation of communities that are better prepared for climate change.
Water and Climate: Building Resilient Communities (Final Report)
Cairo Water Week (CWW) has emerged as a key event in worldwide water resource management, addressing topics that are relevant on a local, regional, and international scale. Every year, the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) organizes CWW, which is held under the distinguished patronage of H.E. Mr. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. This one-of-a-kind meeting aims to advance cutting-edge information, facilitate strategic relationships, and promote conversation about long-term water solutions.
The 7th edition of Cairo Water Week, held from October 13 to 17, 2024, brought together leaders, experts, and stakeholders from around the world to address some of the most important water and climate issues. This year's conference subject, Water and Climate: Building Resilient Communities, captured the broad desire to address water security concerns in the context of climate uncertainty.
Through five important sub-themes, attendees engaged in thought-provoking debates, expert exchanges, and actionable insights aimed at crafting a resilient future:
• The theme of Transboundary Water Governance for Sustainable Development focuses on cooperation and policy-making to ensure equitable and sustainable water use across boundaries.
• The track "Strategic Water Resources Management in Enhancing Community Resilience" focused on how effective policies and practices might improve community adaptation to climate effects.
• The theme "Innovation and Financing Resilient Solutions for Water Security" focused on innovative ideas and funding approaches to strengthen water systems against climate change.
• Water and Climate Adaptations and Resilience: Practical initiatives and frameworks were highlighted here, demonstrating efforts to integrate water and climate adaption methods to boost resilience.
• Climate-Smart Communities: Planning and Legislation: This issue addressed the role of governance by examining how careful planning and legislation may drive the creation of communities that are better prepared for climate change.
The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024
Last September, Heads of State and Government gathered in New York for the SDG Summit to review progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and deliberate on areas requiring acceleration. Crucially, they reaffirmed their commitment to the SDGs, agreeing on the need for urgent, ambitious and transformative efforts to achieve the Goals in full by 2030. In the political declaration adopted by the General Assembly, Member States recognized that “the achievement of the SDGs is in peril” and stated their determination “to make all efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by the target year of 2030”.
The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024
Last September, Heads of State and Government gathered in New York for the SDG Summit to review progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and deliberate on areas requiring acceleration. Crucially, they reaffirmed their commitment to the SDGs, agreeing on the need for urgent, ambitious and transformative efforts to achieve the Goals in full by 2030. In the political declaration adopted by the General Assembly, Member States recognized that “the achievement of the SDGs is in peril” and stated their determination “to make all efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by the target year of 2030”.
Sustaining Urban Water Supply under Climate Change
The resilience of African cities is constantly under threat from an assortment of forces, one of which is global climate change. While climate change or variability is mainly thought of as a problem in agriculture under rural set-ups, actually, its impact in urban areas, where most Africans will live by 2030, is equally devastating (Emilsson and Sang, 2017; Miller and Hutchins, 2017). Cities are sustained by food and water supplies, which are subject to climatic forces. Africa is urbanizing much faster than the other continents, putting infrastructure and service delivery systems under immense pressure (Parnell and Walawege, 2011; Anderson et al., 2013).
Sustaining Urban Water Supply under Climate Change
The resilience of African cities is constantly under threat from an assortment of forces, one of which is global climate change. While climate change or variability is mainly thought of as a problem in agriculture under rural set-ups, actually, its impact in urban areas, where most Africans will live by 2030, is equally devastating (Emilsson and Sang, 2017; Miller and Hutchins, 2017). Cities are sustained by food and water supplies, which are subject to climatic forces. Africa is urbanizing much faster than the other continents, putting infrastructure and service delivery systems under immense pressure (Parnell and Walawege, 2011; Anderson et al., 2013).
Project Summary | From Conventional to Smart Water
Over the last few years, several waves of innovation have driven a remarkable improvement in efficiency in the water industry. The development and implementation of new technologies has been the fundamental enabler behind a qualitative shift in how processes are conducted within this industry. One of the key technological advances in the past 50 years has been the progressive innovation in conventional water meters, which record a customer’s water consumption and thus enable the billing process. The upgrades of these assets, which have finally become industry standards, have been driven by improvements in efficiency.
Project Summary | From Conventional to Smart Water
Over the last few years, several waves of innovation have driven a remarkable improvement in efficiency in the water industry. The development and implementation of new technologies has been the fundamental enabler behind a qualitative shift in how processes are conducted within this industry. One of the key technological advances in the past 50 years has been the progressive innovation in conventional water meters, which record a customer’s water consumption and thus enable the billing process. The upgrades of these assets, which have finally become industry standards, have been driven by improvements in efficiency.
Building a Sustainable Future ESG Business Handbook
The objective of this handbook is to inform the businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) about environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Building a Sustainable Future ESG Business Handbook
The objective of this handbook is to inform the businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) about environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Saudi Arabia’s Net-Zero World Narrative
Alarmingly, Saudi Arabia (or “the Kingdom”) is experiencing a more accelerated warming trend than the global average. While the world has warmed by an average of 1.1°C since the pre-industrial era (1850–1900), warming in the Arabian Peninsula has already surpassed 1.5°C and is on the verge of exceeding 2°C (McCabe et al. 2023). For each degree of global warming, the corresponding increase in regional temperatures is significantly more pronounced for the Arabian Peninsula.
Saudi Arabia’s Net-Zero World Narrative
Alarmingly, Saudi Arabia (or “the Kingdom”) is experiencing a more accelerated warming trend than the global average. While the world has warmed by an average of 1.1°C since the pre-industrial era (1850–1900), warming in the Arabian Peninsula has already surpassed 1.5°C and is on the verge of exceeding 2°C (McCabe et al. 2023). For each degree of global warming, the corresponding increase in regional temperatures is significantly more pronounced for the Arabian Peninsula.
Prioritizing Sustainability in MENA: Mapping Critical Environmental Issues for Regional Businesses
Following the high-profile commitments made at the UN’s Climate Change Conference in Dubai in December 2023 (COP28) and in alignment with global trends , the MENA region faces increasing pressure from different stakeholders – including investors, regulators and global markets – to enhance transparency around corporate sustainability practices and transition to more sustainable business models. The region needs to accelerate its progress and MENA companies must be prepared to remain competitive in the global economy, attract international investors and support the region’s economic diversification goals.
Prioritizing Sustainability in MENA: Mapping Critical Environmental Issues for Regional Businesses
Following the high-profile commitments made at the UN’s Climate Change Conference in Dubai in December 2023 (COP28) and in alignment with global trends , the MENA region faces increasing pressure from different stakeholders – including investors, regulators and global markets – to enhance transparency around corporate sustainability practices and transition to more sustainable business models. The region needs to accelerate its progress and MENA companies must be prepared to remain competitive in the global economy, attract international investors and support the region’s economic diversification goals.
The Water, Energy, and Food Security Nexus in Asia and the Pacific
The combined region of Central and South Asia presents some unusual challenges and interesting opportunities. Some major regional-scale challenges include food insecurity, land degradation, energy insecurity, scarcity of water resources, and gender inequities; these challenges are further exacerbated by global drivers such as climate change, urbanization, population growth, and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Water, Energy, and Food Security Nexus in Asia and the Pacific
The combined region of Central and South Asia presents some unusual challenges and interesting opportunities. Some major regional-scale challenges include food insecurity, land degradation, energy insecurity, scarcity of water resources, and gender inequities; these challenges are further exacerbated by global drivers such as climate change, urbanization, population growth, and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research Journeys to Net Zero
If we fail to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the floods and fires we have seen around the world will get more frequent and more fierce, crops will be more likely to fail, and sea levels will rise driving mass migration as millions are forced from their homes. Above 1.5°C, we risk reaching climate tipping points like the melting of arctic permafrost – releasing millennia of stored greenhouse gases – meaning we could lose control of our climate for good.
Research Journeys to Net Zero
If we fail to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the floods and fires we have seen around the world will get more frequent and more fierce, crops will be more likely to fail, and sea levels will rise driving mass migration as millions are forced from their homes. Above 1.5°C, we risk reaching climate tipping points like the melting of arctic permafrost – releasing millennia of stored greenhouse gases – meaning we could lose control of our climate for good.
Pathways to Sustainability: An Essential Book Catalogue
As an internationally recognized author and consultant, Robert Brears has dedicated his career to advancing water security, green growth, and comprehensive environmental stewardship. He is the founder of Our Future Water, addressing urgent water-related challenges, and Global Climate Solutions, which explores cutting-edge ideas and actionable insights across multiple areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and resilient urban development.
Pathways to Sustainability: An Essential Book Catalogue
As an internationally recognized author and consultant, Robert Brears has dedicated his career to advancing water security, green growth, and comprehensive environmental stewardship. He is the founder of Our Future Water, addressing urgent water-related challenges, and Global Climate Solutions, which explores cutting-edge ideas and actionable insights across multiple areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and resilient urban development.
Beating the Heat: A Sustainable Cooling Handbook for Cities
We are living in an increasingly warming world. According to the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2020 was the hottest year on record, with the average global surface temperature around 1.3 degrees Celsius (°C) higher than the late 19th-century average – despite the absence of the short-term warming effect of El Niño (Barbosa 2021). The seven-year period from 2014 to 2020 was the hottest in 140 years of record keeping. This, researchers say, is a clear indicator of the ever-increasing impact of greenhouse gas emissions.
Beating the Heat: A Sustainable Cooling Handbook for Cities
We are living in an increasingly warming world. According to the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2020 was the hottest year on record, with the average global surface temperature around 1.3 degrees Celsius (°C) higher than the late 19th-century average – despite the absence of the short-term warming effect of El Niño (Barbosa 2021). The seven-year period from 2014 to 2020 was the hottest in 140 years of record keeping. This, researchers say, is a clear indicator of the ever-increasing impact of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Future of Water: Economic Risks and Sustainable Solutions
Water is the foundation of life on Earth, essential for ecosystems, human survival, and economic development. Beyond its direct use in drinking and sanitation, water is the silent force that drives industries, fuels agricultural productivity, and powers energy production. Its availability and efficient management are crucial to the global economy. Yet, the world faces an alarming water crisis that threatens economic stability, exacerbates inequalities, and undermines the resilience of businesses.
The Future of Water: Economic Risks and Sustainable Solutions
Water is the foundation of life on Earth, essential for ecosystems, human survival, and economic development. Beyond its direct use in drinking and sanitation, water is the silent force that drives industries, fuels agricultural productivity, and powers energy production. Its availability and efficient management are crucial to the global economy. Yet, the world faces an alarming water crisis that threatens economic stability, exacerbates inequalities, and undermines the resilience of businesses.
Sustainable Cooling | How to Cool the World without Warming the Planet
A perfect storm is brewing for global cooling demand. Rising temperatures, due in part to climate change, are making people everywhere seek relief from the heat. At the same time, growing populations, greater energy access, and increasing incomes, particularly in developing Asia and the Pacific, mean more people can afford cooling technologies like air conditioners. This confluence of factors is driving a surge in the demand for cooling solutions around the world.
Sustainable Cooling | How to Cool the World without Warming the Planet
A perfect storm is brewing for global cooling demand. Rising temperatures, due in part to climate change, are making people everywhere seek relief from the heat. At the same time, growing populations, greater energy access, and increasing incomes, particularly in developing Asia and the Pacific, mean more people can afford cooling technologies like air conditioners. This confluence of factors is driving a surge in the demand for cooling solutions around the world.