Sustainability challenge and related SDGs:
In these times of climate crisis, we must address not only the reduction of carbon emissions, but also the world’s freshwater consumption: Two-thirds of the earth's surface are covered in water, but only 3% of all water is freshwater. There is enough freshwater on earth to provide for all humans. However, population growth, increasing production and consumption of goods, and climate change are destabilizing the global water cycle. This means that water is not where it is expected or needed, and shortages as well as floods are becoming an ever-increasing problem:
- Over 40% of the world's population are already affected by water scarcity today.
- By 2030, water scarcity could drive 700 million people (Middle East and North Africa) out of their homes.
- By 2050 around 5 billion people will live in areas that are water-scarce for at least one month each year.
As calculated in the Planetary Boundaries model from the Stockholm Resilience Center, humanity can consume up to 4,000 billion cubic meters of freshwater per year to maintain adequate aquatic ecosystem states. That’s the equivalent of the entire area of Switzerland roughly 100m under water, or according to certain estimates, roughly equivalent to the current consumption. By 2030, however, global water demand is expected to rise, far exceeding accessible and safe water supplies – by 40% to be exact. That means that the importance of water-saving technologies has never been greater.
Possible solutions and their contribution to achieving the SDGs
Around 20 % of global freshwater consumption is accounted for by today's industry, through the extraction, processing and further processing of raw materials or intermediate products into material goods.
#SaveWater focuses on water use efficiency, meaning to use less water, but also reuse more. #SaveWater comprises companies that contribute to SDG 6 "Clean Water and Sanitation" with water saving and collection products and services. They aim to increase the efficiency of water use in industry by offering certified water-saving products and equipment, as well as services and production processes that contribute to water conservation.
Primarily related SDG Targets: 6.1, 6.3, 6.4
Investment Rationale and Growth Potential
With climate crisis as an increasing challenge and the industrial water use, water consumption is expected to rise in the future and will arguably becoming one of the most valuable resources on the planet.
Water is also an important raw material - and it is already scarce these days. This offers an investment opportunity for water-saving technologies in unprecedented times of change. Their importance has never been greater and the demand for #SaveWater solutions will very likely further increase in the future.
