Unpacking freshwater's role in climate change mitigation

This Executive Summary, published ahead of the report, details the main areas of the research undertaken, and highlights the key messages which have come out of that.

The essential drop to reach net-zero

In its Sixth Assessment Report on Mitigation of Climate Change, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has identified numerous climate mitigation measures that can provide a pathway to achieve rapid transition to net-zero emissions. Many of these measures have a direct link to freshwater.

In this report, we explain how the journey towards climate security requires massive, cross-sectoral efforts in improved management of water.

It focuses on:

1. climate mitigation measures that require or modify freshwater sources or freshwater-dependent social-ecological systems
2. climate mitigation options within the water and sanitation sector with upscaling potential

The report addresses the multiple freshwater-related synergies and trade-offs that exist between climate mitigation and adaptation measures. It highlights the benefits of water-wise mitigation actions working with nature, such as enhanced system resilience, functioning ecosystems and enhanced biodiversity, contributing to sustainable development.

The findings attest to the urgent need to improve the understanding of the links between the different climate mitigation measures, freshwater availability, and water management. It identifies high-potential water-related mitigation opportunities across the sectors and biomes where water management and nature-based solutions can contribute to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and thus global warming. It further points out water-related risks to be avoided in mitigation planning to prevent uninformed and therefore unsustainable GHG mitigation planning from negatively impacting water resources.