Water Futures Mobilizing Multi Stakeholder Action for Resilience 2025

1 Water demand is increasing Changes in water demand are creating an imbalance in supply, making it essential to build resilience today to ensure a water-secure future with safe and equitable access for all. Environmental risks of primary concern to water security over the coming decade include extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, climate change, natural resource shortages and pollution.10 Water consumption has also significantly increased over time. Total water withdrawal per capita has increased by more than 650% globally in the past three decades.11 However, per capita water resources have steadily decreased in most countries. For example, China recorded a decrease of approximately 50% in per capita water availability from 1964-2020.12 Growing global shifts in consumption patterns, technology innovations and the water needs of decarbonization pathways will fuel competition for water resources. All industries are expected to require more water, with regional variations depending on different drivers.13 The continued global shift towards digitalization and the resulting demand for data processing, storage and connectivity will drive the need for more and bigger data centres, which use water to cool servers. Consequently, the combination of growing water demand, increasing water withdrawals and decreasing water availability highlights the looming risk of a tipping point in water supply. Water is critical to the economy Water is among the most valuable yet least-valued resources in the world. It is vital for supporting life itself, and the sustainable development, economic growth, healthy environment and ecosystems on which all life depends. The total quantifiable economic use-value of water – arising from direct consumption and its role in environmental regulation – is estimated at $58 trillion a year, equal to ~60% of global GDP .14 Today, freshwater withdrawals are 4.3 trillion cubic metres (m3) per year,15 with agriculture consuming 70%, industry 20% and municipal uses 10%.16 Water withdrawals vary according to regional economic drivers, with higher water uses for agriculture in Africa and Asia (80%), compared with higher uses for industry in Europe (60%). For industry, water is crucial in all steps of the value chain, from raw materials and suppliers to direct operations and product use, especially for sectors with high water demand such as mining and upstream oil and gas.1.1 Emerging trendsWhy building water resilience matters today Water consumption is soaring – if supply is not protected, the GDP of high-income countries could fall 8% by 2050 and 10-15% for lower- income countries. The total quantifiable economic use- value of water is estimated at $58 trillion a year - equal to ~60% of global GDP . 7 Water Futures: Mobilizing Multi-Stakeholder Action for Resilience