Today, 1.1 billion people lack access to electricity, while water stress affects more than 2 billion people. By 2030, the world will need 40 per cent more water and 50 per cent more energy. Climate change will exacerbate this stress even further. The strong linkages between water and energy demand coherent integrated policies and innovative approaches.
Recognizing this need to address the interlinkage between water and energy, Itaipu Binacional (Paraguay-Brazil) and UN DESA, have joined efforts in a partnership entitled “Sustainable Water and Energy Solutions”. The partnership represents a unique initiative that will promote water and energy sustainability and other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The goal is to provide a platform for all stakeholders to enhance capacities and signal their high-level commitment to support the implementation of these goals in a holistic manner. The intention is to grow this global network over time to become one of the largest global multi-stakeholder-based knowledge networks on energy and water.
The ongoing initiatives by Itaipu Binacional will also be summarized in a comprehensive report of case studies and practical tools on best practices in implementing the 2030 Agenda, with particular focus on integrated approaches for water and energy in support of sustainable development.