On 7 November, Prof. Anna-Katharina Hornidge, Member of the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU), presented WBGU’s recent flagship report “Water in a Heated World” to a large and very attentive internal audience at the KfW.
The report outlines exacerbated water-related challenges with a risk of expansion into threats beyond the limits of controllability, if not addressed rapidly and adequately through an evidence-based, collaborative and resilient international water management system. Anna-Katharina Hornidge further delivered some key messages the report makes with regards to financing: First, public and private investment are required to finance water management systems, with a current funding gap from the private sector in particular. From 2012-2017, only 1.4% of private capital within the development sector was allocated to water and sanitation. Second, funding lines for water management and research should be opened and directed strategically and cooperatively, with a focus on countries characterised by particular vulnerability and on alliances dedicated towards joint action for effective water management. Germany should lend its full support the UN Water Process, led by recently appointed Special Envoy on Water, Retno L.P. Marsudi, with the UN Water Conference planned for December 2026.
