Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene 2014 Sept - Oct Vol. 9 No.5 | Page 32

2014 STOCKHOLM STATEMENT ON WATER STOCKHOLM INTERNATIONAL WATER INSTITUTE HEALTH Global demand for freshwater is projected to grow by 55% between 2000 and 2050. This poses a huge risk for increased competition over water from different users. A Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on water is a unique opportunity to holistically address our world’s water related challenges, avoiding potentially fragmented and unsustainable solutions which can increase competition between different water users. SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AGRICULTURE WATER and energy are interdependant but rely on vastly different institutional frameworks, policy setting and governance structures. Water is critical for the production of energy and equally, energy is an important component in the extraction, treatment and transportation of water. Effective water management is key for global energy security. WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW? An estimated 1.3 billion people lack access to electricity and almost 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water. To a large extent, the energy sector is market-based and run by private, often large companies acting in global, regional or national markets. The water sector, on the other hand, is often dominated by smaller public utilities acting in regulated markets at the local, municipal level. Energy efficiency is a driving force for development in the energy sector as well as in the wider global development field. ENERGY CLIMATE A Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on Water is essential for our shared future What would an SDG mean for Energy? A dedicated and coherent SDG on water would help prevent the serious risk that water scarcity and unreliability poses to energy security and global development. WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN NEXT? To be able to deliver sustainable energy globally, we must manage our water resources more efficiently. Urgent action must be taken, such as scaling up water smart renewable energy for green growth, reconciling climate and water smart energy production and identifying synergies between water and energy planning and implementation. ► Watch SIWI’s five thematic films and corresponding Stockholm Statements on Water to learn more about the centrality of water in building resilient future societies. www.siwi.org/stockholmstatement2014 32 Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene • September - October 2014 FACTS • APPROXIMATELY 90% of the global power generation is water intensive. • IN THE UNITED STATES, 410 BILLION GALLONS OF WATER are withdrawn each day. Of these, 49% is used by the power sector. More than 12% of the nation’s energy use goes to meeting the country’s water and steam demand. • THE DEMAND FOR WATER AS AN ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION COOLANT outside the OECD is predicted to increase fivefold by 2050. • IN 2001, 19% OF CALIFORNIA’S TOTAL ELECTRICITY USE and 32% of the state’s natural gas consumption was used to move and treat water and wastewater.