Water scarcity is one of the most pressing global challenges of the 21st century, pushing the planet’s resources to their limit. It is exacerbated by climate change, population growth, industrialization, and unsustainable water use practices.
In the past two decades, the annual amount of available freshwater resources per person has decreased by 20%, and 3.2 billion people live in agricultural areas with high to very high levels of water shortages or scarcity.
On 9-11 December, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of the Royal Thai Government co-organized the International Soil and Water Forum 2024 to mark the world’s first high-level action plan on halting and reversing soil degradation and water scarcity. The Forum explored a sustainable and integrated approach to water management, aiming to nurture a sustainable and resilient agrifood system transformation.
The Forum attracted researchers, policymakers, representatives of international organizations, civil society, development practitioners and the private sector. It involved youth, Ministers, academics, and leaders.
Effective water management and international cooperation
Climate change is a key driver of water scarcity, altering precipitation patterns and intensifying droughts. Panelists emphasized the need for adaptive water management strategies, such as reservoirs, to cope with these changes.
Urban areas are also increasingly experiencing water scarcity due to population growth and inadequate infrastructure. Many cities struggle to meet the water demands of their residents, leading to periodic shortages or reliance on unsustainable sources such as groundwater. Integrating water demand management strategies into urban planning is crucial to address domestic use issues.
Agriculture is the sector most affected by water scarcity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where water availability is naturally limited. Water scarcity also threatens food security in regions relying on irrigation. Smallholder farmers are vulnerable due to their lack of access to efficient irrigation technologies or alternative water sources. Improving irrigation efficiency, adopting drought-resistant crop varieties, and implementing rainwater harvesting techniques are cornerstones.
Many rivers and aquifers cross national borders, making effective management a shared responsibility. Thus, international cooperation is key to addressing transboundary water scarcity issues.
Inclusive governance: Securing access through water tenure
Water tenure refers to “the relationship, whether legally or customarily defined, between people, as individuals or groups, with respect to water resources” (Hodgson, 2016), determining how water is accessed, used, and managed. Securing water tenure is critical for marginalized communities, especially in regions heavily dependent on agriculture, where access to water directly impacts livelihoods.
Rural and Indigenous communities are often excluded from national water tenure governance frameworks, leaving them to rely on informal water tenure systems. Increased pressure on water resources creates conflicts over access and prioritization, leaving these communities more vulnerable, particularly during disputes or when external actors (e.g., businesses) claim water rights.
Panelists suggested that this exclusion might stem from language barriers where there may be a difference in vocabulary or an absence of certain terms in local languages. Another factor driving exclusion might be gendered: women, who are frequently the ones responsible for water collection in many societies, often lack decision-making power or formal recognition of their rights to water.
Formalizing water tenure systems can help mitigate these challenges, improve equitable access, and promote sustainable management. Governments are encouraged to integrate diverse water tenure arrangements into national water laws by:
- Recognizing informal and customary rights alongside formal allocations.
- Strengthening the role of local communities in water management, through multi-stakeholder approaches to foster collective ownership and accountability.
- Comprehensively mapping water tenure systems to identify gaps, ensure equity, and prioritize investments in regions with the greatest needs.
Harnessing nature-based solutions for water challenges
Nature-based solutions (NbS) are increasingly being used to address water-related challenges. They leverage natural processes and ecosystems to manage water sustainably while enhancing biodiversity and resilience to climate change.
Restoration of ecosystems such as wetlands, forests, and mangroves mitigates extreme weather effects exacerbated by climate change. Vegetated buffer zones and restored riparian areas help filter pollutants, reducing the cost of water treatment and improving water quality for communities. It also contributes to climate mitigation by storing carbon in soils, wetlands, and forests.
Nevertheless, NbS projects often remain small-scale due to limited financial support and a lack of technical expertise and integration into national development plans. Successful implementation also requires educating local communities and involving them in the planning and implementation process. Moreover, many water governance frameworks do not explicitly support the adoption of NbS, prioritizing infrastructure-heavy solutions instead.
Panelists highlighted that NbS are not merely an alternative to engineered infrastructure but a complementary strategy that enhances resilience and reduces costs.
Effective water governance requires inclusive, equitable, and sustainable approaches, where water tenure is pivotal as it integrates legal frameworks with social practices and environmental sustainability. Nature-based solutions contribute to leveraging natural ecosystems, addressing water challenges and delivering ecological and social benefits.
Written by David Mingasson, SIANI reporter