Freshwater ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, and aquifers, are facing significant degradation across the globe. New reports from UN-Water and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) reveal that half of the world’s countries are experiencing severe impacts on their freshwater resources, with worsening pollution, reduced river flows, and shrinking water bodies.
KEY FINDINGS FROM THE REPORTS
Decreased River Flows and Shrinking Water Bodies
The reports highlight that river flows have significantly decreased in 402 basins worldwide, a fivefold increase since 2000. Lakes and other surface water bodies are also shrinking or disappearing in 364 basins. The degradation is driven by factors such as pollution, land conversion, over-abstraction, and climate change.
Impact of Mangrove Loss
Mangrove loss, particularly in Southeast Asia, poses a risk to coastal communities and freshwater resources due to their vital roles in water filtration and carbon sequestration. While the deforestation rate has levelled off in the past decade, the continued loss of mangroves remains a concern.
Water Quality Monitoring Deficits
The poorest half of the world contributes less than 3% of global water quality data, highlighting a significant gap in monitoring. The lack of comprehensive data impedes effective management and response to issues such as drought, floods, and pollution. There is an urgent need to expand monitoring capabilities and incorporate innovative solutions like satellite-based observations.
INADEQUATE PROGRESS ON WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Out of 183 countries assessed, 47 have fully or nearly fully implemented IWRM, while 63 countries need to accelerate efforts, and 73 have limited capacity for IWRM. At the current rate, sustainable water management may not be achieved until 2049, leaving over 3.3 billion people in over 100 countries facing ineffective water governance.
To address these challenges, the reports recommend increasing finance through revenue-raising and cost recovery, investing in infrastructure and management, and enhancing institutional capacity. Improved monitoring networks and coordinated actions are crucial for achieving sustainable water management.
THE PATH FORWARD
Dianna Kopansky, Head of the Freshwater and Wetlands Unit at UNEP, emphasizes that global political commitments for sustainable water management must be matched by increased finance and action. Protection and restoration policies tailored for different regions can help halt further degradation and begin the process of reversing damage.
The findings from UN-Water and UNEP underscore the critical state of global freshwater ecosystems. Immediate and coordinated actions are necessary to address the challenges and ensure sustainable management of these vital resources for future generations.
