Water Scarcity versus Sustainability: How to Get the Balance Right

Chronic under-investment in the water sector, climate impacts and changing populations. All common challenges across EBRD’s regions of operations, but even more so in the SEMED region where acute water scarcity magnifies the need for a sustainable approach to water management. The private sector plays its part in building seawater desalination plants, but these need renewable energy solutions and environmentally sensitive designs to ensure they do no additional harm. An integrated approach also requires attention on reducing water losses from ageing infrastructure and reusing water that is, otherwise, wasted to better safeguard existing water resources. The entire water cycle should be re-examined, including wastewater treatment and its by-products, to promote a more circular economy. Digitalisation and innovation must also feature in future water systems to deliver greater system reliability.

 

This session combined local and international speakers from the public and private sectors that provided insights into the challenges and potential solutions to address this critical issue of water scarcity.

 

Featuring:

 

Suntharesan Padmanathan

Chief Executive Officer & Vice-Chairman

ACWA Power

 

Nandita Parshad

Managing Director, Sustainable Infrastructure Group

EBRD

 

Walid Madwar

General Manager, Vice President

Metito

 

Done