The global demand for water is eight times higher than it was 100 years ago – and keeps growing. At the same time, climate change is having a huge impact on local and regional water cycles and is altering the availability of water over the year and across regions. This, combined with growing pollution, is severely affecting our capacity to realise the water-related human rights.

Today, already 2.3 billion people live in water-stressed countries, with a further four billion experiencing severe water scarcity for at least one month every year. Our ever thirstier and more polluted world must adapt collectively. 

As different groups and individuals in society are searching for ways to cope, water security for some inevitably becomes about water security for all. Without investment in water governance, this will lead to ever greater inequality and degradation of resources. 

SNV’s work in the water sector offers a powerful combination of technical expertise, methodological excellence, and long-term country presence. Aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SNV takes a holistic and inclusive approach to water, based on a water cycle perspective and good governance.