ADB: Climate change threatens water security gainsーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• Water Security: Defined by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as adequate quality water supply and sanitation, coupled with a country’s ability to manage water-related risks.
• Extreme Water Insecurity: A state of lacking access to sufficient, safe, and affordable water to meet basic human needs.
• Environmental Water Security: The capacity of ecosystems to provide the water-related benefits that underpin human well-being and economic development.
• Catchment Degradation: The deterioration of river basins, wetlands, and groundwater systems due to infrastructure development and unsustainable practices.
• Saltwater Intrusion: The movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers, contaminating water supplies.
• Storm Surges: Abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, causing coastal flooding.

Progress in Water Security – Asia and the Pacific

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) reports significant progress in water security across Asia and the Pacific. Over the past 12 years, 2.7 billion people have been lifted out of extreme water insecurity. This is based on the ADB’s definition of water security encompassing both adequate water supply and sanitation, and a nation’s capacity to manage water-related risks. This finding is highlighted in a recent comprehensive report – the first of its kind in five years – demonstrating a substantial improvement in the region’s access to safe water and sanitation.

Economic Importance of Water Security

The ADB emphasizes that water security is fundamental to economic development. Sait Norio, leader of the ADB team compiling the report, stated that water security “underpins every aspect of development from people's health to agriculture to energy outputs.” Improved public health, resulting from better water and sanitation, directly boosts labor productivity. Efficient water systems reduce costs and enhance the competitiveness of both agriculture and industry.

Examples cited include Japan and Singapore, where prioritizing water and sanitation improvements has demonstrably laid the foundation for strong economic growth. These nations serve as models for other Asian countries seeking to leverage water security for economic advancement.

Case Study: Nepal Community Irrigation Project

The ADB’s involvement in the Nepal community irrigation project illustrates successful policy implementation. This project, benefiting approximately 160,000 farmers, prioritized gender equality. Increased women’s participation led to improved transparency and more timely maintenance of irrigation systems. Consequently, irrigation coverage and crop intensity increased by 20-30%, directly improving food security and household incomes. This demonstrates the positive impact of targeted investment and inclusive practices.

Emerging Risks to Water Security

Despite the progress, the ADB warns of two major risks threatening to reverse gains: climate change and insufficient funding. Wetlands, rivers, and forests – crucial for long-term water security – are rapidly deteriorating. The Asia-Pacific region already accounts for over 40% of the world’s floods, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Small island nations in the Pacific and coastal megacities are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, and storm surges.

Funding Gap and Shifting Challenges

Meeting the region’s water sanitation and hygiene needs requires an estimated $4 trillion in investment through 2040, equating to $250 billion annually. However, current annual funding falls short by 40%. This funding gap is causing a shift in the nature of water challenges. While in 2013, the primary challenge was rural water and sanitation access, by 2025, environmental water security is identified as the weakest dimension.

This signifies that infrastructure expansion has often occurred at the expense of vital ecosystems like rivers, wetlands, and groundwater systems. The resulting degradation of catchments impairs their ability to filter and store water, and overextraction of groundwater further exacerbates the problem.

Policy Recommendations: A Shift in Focus

The ADB advocates for a shift in policy focus, moving beyond simply building infrastructure. The emphasis must be on prioritizing resilient, equitable, and efficiently governed systems to ensure sustainable service delivery. Effective water management requires a holistic approach that considers the interconnectedness of water resources and ecosystems.

Sait Norio emphasized the importance of resilient infrastructure, stating that building such infrastructure is “a priority for Asian countries trying to grow their economies” in the face of increased frequency of severe floods, storms, and droughts due to climate change.

Conclusion

The ADB report presents a mixed picture. While significant progress has been made in lifting billions out of extreme water insecurity, emerging threats – particularly climate change and funding shortfalls – pose substantial risks. The future of water security in Asia and the Pacific hinges on proactive, sustainable, and equitable water management policies implemented today. A shift from solely focusing on infrastructure development to prioritizing resilient and ecologically sound systems is crucial for long-term success.