Cop31 in Turkey must bring water to the centre of climate action

The international response to climate change has long centered on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but adaptation to the already occurring impacts must gain equal importance. Water is the most immediate indicator of climate change, affecting food security, livelihoods, public health, and economic stability through drought, floods, and erratic rainfall.

Water is integral to most nations' climate plans and is frequently addressed in adaptation measures, but current investment remains inadequate. The World Bank estimates closing the financing gap for universal access to safe water and sanitation would cost between $131 billion and $141 billion annually. Leaders must bridge the gap between commitments and resources allocated.

Water infrastructure, sanitation, and resilient management are vital but underfunded priorities. The Madrid Compact and Heads of State Initiative offer frameworks for stronger political commitment, integrated policies, sustainable financing, and accountability. These models should be more widely applied. Water connects the three Rio Conventions, addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation.

However, their work sometimes lacks recognition of water's central role across all three. Cop31 presents an opportunity to integrate water more systematically across the Rio Conventions, ensuring policies, programs, and investments align. This doesn't necessitate new institutions or bureaucracy; it requires better coordination within existing structures, with water seen as a shared priority.

The UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi, co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, offers a chance to translate political momentum into a more cohesive global response. Leaders must act now to give water the recognition and resources it deserves, securing a water-secure future for people, prosperity, and well-being.