Just Transitions for Water Security Programme
The world faces an overlapping water crisis as fresh water supplies - vital for health, nature, food and production - are threatened by increasing droughts, flooding and pollution. As climate change amplifies these threats, the poorest are hit hardest. Institutions lack the data and capacity to respond strategically and deliver critical investment where it matters most. With 5 billion people projected to face water stress by 2050, we need a new approach.
This groundbreaking programme will operate in up to ten developing countries over five years, enhancing efforts to deliver transformational change to people facing increasingly severe water-related climate impacts and nature loss.
The UK Government’s Just Transitions for Water Security (JTWS) programme draws together complimentary strategies to improve the capabilities of local and national policy makers to build climate resilience and water security. It aims to strengthen institutions, technical capacity, and governance; build the market conditions and incentives for investment in water; and ensure delivery of sustainable water stewardship.
The JTWS programme combines three innovative approaches to break down barriers to water security:
The Fair Water Footprints initiative works primarily through international supply chains and international trading relationships to stimulate action and investment on water and climate risks, and drive sustainable, resilient, and inclusive growth. The initiative uses targeted engagement, constructive advocacy, and governance reform to promote transformation in global business norms on the demand side, while working with source/production countries to mitigate water risks on the supply side, to realise systemic change in trade, financing, and investment.
The Resilient Water Accelerator strives to ensure private and commercial investments generate water security and climate resilience benefits as well as financial returns. It works with cities, supply chains and watersheds facing water stress to foster a supportive investment landscape where demand for finance is met with supply through well-designed deal structures and finance mechanisms that meet public, private, and corporate/commercial interests.
The Water Resilience Tracker is a set of powerful resources delivered by leading climate and water experts to assist global policy makers in evaluating, improving, and financing climate policies and and plans. The Tracker’s innovative tools include both a questionnaire and a diagnostic guidance document, which together provide users with a clear pathway to design and implement water-smart climate policies.