Resilient Water Futures
Climate change is already reshaping how communities plan, invest and operate. Flooding, drought, sea level rise and declining water quality are no longer future scenarios, they are present‑day challenges with long‑term consequences.
For water utilities, municipalities and governments, the challenge is clear: how to act decisively now while managing uncertainty about what comes next.
Solutions for adaptation and transformation in an uncertain world
This report brings together global experience and practical frameworks to show how organizations are moving from strategy to solutions, delivering resilient outcomes while keeping options open for an uncertain future.
Why water resilience matters
Water sits at the intersection of climate risk, economic performance and community wellbeing. Delayed or reactive decisions increase long‑term costs, constrain future options and expose communities to avoidable risk.
At the same time, uncertainty around climate projections, regulation, funding and technology can make it difficult to know when and how to act.
Recognizing resilience as an economic and strategic priority
Direct economic losses by weather event
Water‑related climate events are already driving direct economic losses. Floods, storms and prolonged drought damage assets, disrupt operations and increase recovery costs. Our analysis shows water risk could reduce GDP across major economies by USD 5.6 trillion by 2050. The data below shows how direct losses break down by weather event type, highlighting which water‑related risks are having the greatest economic effect.
Making decisions across an uncertain future
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Trigger points
See how clear trigger conditions help decision‑makers recognize when an approach needs to change before risks escalate. -
Lead times
Explore how understanding lead times helps avoid late responses and keeps future options viable. -
Thresholds
Learn how defining thresholds clarifies when performance becomes unacceptable and signals the need to move to the next option
Solutions for adaptation and transformation in an uncertain world
Explore how adaptive planning, integrated frameworks and real‑world experience can help organizations respond to climate uncertainty — with confidence. This report demonstrates how leaders are addressing these challenges