At the opening of COP29, global leaders and environmental experts convened to launch the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action, an initiative aimed at addressing the growing water crisis and its link to climate change. Spearheaded by the COP29 Presidency, the dialogue seeks to integrate water into the global climate agenda more effectively.
Speaking at the event, a senior United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) official emphasized the urgency of protecting water resources amid escalating challenges. “Nearly three billion people face water scarcity today,” the official stated. “Over 90% of disasters—droughts, floods, and wildfires—are water-related, and climate change is worsening these impacts.”
UNEP reports that half of all countries have at least one degraded freshwater ecosystem, contributing to competition between agriculture, urban supply, and industry. Additionally, cities worldwide face risks of subsidence due to groundwater depletion.
The official underscored the need for integrated solutions, urging nations to prioritize water in their next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by committing to:
- Cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030 and 57% by 2035.
- Dramatically increasing adaptation financing to address climate-induced water challenges.
“Water must be part of the solution,” the official said, advocating for integrated water resource management to balance environmental and economic needs.
While countries have made strides in prioritizing water, significant gaps persist in financing and implementation. UNEP highlighted the following progress:
- Over 90% of NDCs and National Adaptation Plans include water components.
- The sixth UN Environment Assembly passed a resolution emphasizing integrated water policies.
- The 2023 Water Conference spurred calls for expanded water action.
However, current investments in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for water management fall far short of the levels required to meet climate, biodiversity, and land degradation targets by 2030.
The UNEP official called for a shift from sectoral approaches to an economy-wide water management strategy, urging governments to:
- Link water resource management to biodiversity, climate, and development plans.
- Strengthen policies to conserve and restore freshwater ecosystems.
- Reform tariffs and subsidies to promote conservation while protecting vulnerable populations.
- Increase investments in Nature-based Solutions and sustainable infrastructure.
The Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action was hailed as a pivotal opportunity to galvanize collective action. “Water is Earth’s most valuable resource,” the UNEP official said. “It is essential for life, economic growth, and environmental stability. Now is the time to act decisively to protect it for future generations.”
As COP29 continues, participants hope the dialogue will drive actionable commitments to safeguard water resources, ensuring their sustainability amid the challenges posed by climate change.
