Every drop counts

Water permeates almost every part of our daily lives. It is essential for drinking, cooking, and hygiene, but it also plays a vital role in education, social dynamics, and biodiversity preservation. It serves as the foundation for our sustenance, a significant energy source, a habitat for diverse species, and a valuable economic and cultural asset. Astonishingly, only a mere 1% of the world's water is directly usable. Climate change, overuse, urbanisation, and environmental pollution exacerbate the challenges as competing demands for water continue to increase. Projections indicate that by 2050, we will require up to a 30% increase in water to adequately meet the burgeoning needs of people, agriculture, power generation, and industry. Still today, 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water and 3.6 billion people do not have access to adequate sanitation. We need solutions that address these challenges together.

Together with partners, German development cooperation is actively engaged in realising the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 of the 2030 Agenda: Drinking Water and Sanitation for All. The objective is to amplify water’s role as a key enabler in fostering resilience and strengthening communities. Advocating for holistic solutions, efforts are directed towards promoting action on global water security - with projects cover a range of themes, including transboundary water management, resilient sanitation and healthcare systems, and the Water-Energy-Food Security (WEF) Nexus approach, among others. Success in this endeavor relies on strong interlinkages to other disciplines and sectors, such as climate, biodiversity, economic development, energy, urban development, and waste and resource efficiency. Investment in water yields a catalytic effect, positively influencing critical areas like health, education, agriculture, and job creation.

Explore how German development cooperation advances SDG6 through cross-sectoral approaches.

Campaign

Discover our contributions to the hidden value of water

Water is everywhere - we need it not only for drinking, washing and cooking, but it also influences our education, shapes social interaction and preserves our environment. Find out how German development cooperation can achieve even more through cross-sectoral approaches.

Best Practices

Lessons learned from the field of water cooperation worldwide

Successful approaches of climate resilient water resource management in our partner countries as well as impressions of climate change induced challenges for the water sector become apparent in the subsequent videos.

More insights on implemented solutions are yet to follow – stay tuned!

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The increasing number and intensity of droughts, floods, and heavy rainfall show that the climate crisis is equally a water crisis.

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What is the Water Energy Food Nexus?

Brochure Water-Climate Study

Water-Climate Study

Stop Floating, Start Swimming

This state-of-the-art report summarizes the key impacts of climate change on water resources and the sectors most affected. It reflects relevant models, projections, and uncertainties, discusses global trends, and evaluates regional case studies.

In collaboration with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and adelphi, German Development Cooperation presents significant cross-references and provides perspectives for future action. The importance of water in mitigating greenhouse gases and achieving international climate and development goals is made abundantly clear.

Water Scarcity Clock

Interactive visualization of water availability

Interactive visualization of water availability. Explore the reality of water as a limited resource across the globe.