Water Resilience Tracker: towards water-resilient societies
By 2030, global freshwater shortages are expected to reach 40%, exacerbating issues in water access, sanitation, and biodiversity loss. Climate change accelerates these threats, with increasing floods, droughts, and rising water demand. Current approaches to water management are insufficient, yet innovative strategies – such as an integrated water resilience planning – offer new opportunities. The Water Resilience Tracker supports governments in embedding water security into climate policies, strengthening resilience, and enhancing access to climate finance to secure long-term water sustainability.
The Water Resilience Tracker (WRT) enables governments to integrate water resilience into national climate strategies. By evaluating institutional structures and policies, it identifies gaps and provides tailored technical support, fostering cross-sector cooperation and unlocking climate finance. The project is led by a global consortium consisting of Deltares, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA), and ARUP.
Mainstreaming climate-resilient water management
The WRT works closely with national governments around the world, including Egypt, Malawi, Nepal, and Brazil, to mainstream climate-resilient water management into policies and planning frameworks. This process begins with a comprehensive assessment of existing water security structures, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement. By engaging stakeholders across sectors, the Tracker fosters coordination among institutions, ensuring that water resilience is prioritized in climate adaptation strategies.
Capacity development is a key component of the WRT’s approach, equipping policymakers and institutions with the necessary expertise and tools to design and implement adaptive water management strategies in their climate policy cycle.
In addition, policy support strengthens national and regional frameworks to promote integrated, climate-responsive water planning. The Tracker will also deliver scientific insights and technical guidance, ensuring that decision-making is based on robust methodologies and data-driven solutions.
By embedding water resilience into national climate policies, economic strategies, and infrastructure planning, the WRT will facilitate long-term water security. The project also fosters collaboration between institutions, enhances leadership on climate adaptation, and creates pathways for mobilizing climate finance to scale up solutions.
Evidence-based solutions
As part of the consortium, Deltares plays a crucial role in integrating climate resilience into national water policies. Drawing on our expertise in hydrological research, adaptive water management, and decision-support systems, we work with governments to develop evidence-based solutions that strengthen water security.
By helping policymakers translate scientific data into actionable strategies, we support institutional capacity-building,. We also ensure that climate risks are factored into long-term water resilience frameworks by applying cutting-edge modelling tools and scenario-based planning, Deltares ensures that climate risks are factored into long-term water resilience frameworks.
Furthermore, we stimulate cross-sector collaboration, ensuring that water security is a foundational element of climate adaptation efforts at national and regional levels.
By combining technical expertise with a collaborative approach, we contribute to the WRT’s implementation, ensuring that governments have the resources and knowledge needed to enhance water security in the face of climate change.
Water security is at the core of sustainable development and at the heart of climate adaptation. The Water Resilience Tracker will empower countries to design actionable transformations towards resilient water management systems for society, ecosystems and economy that stand the test of climate change.
Harm Duel, Deltares WRT Project leader
Just Transitions for Water Security
The Water Resilience Tracker is part of the Just Transitions for Water Security (JTWS) programme, a five year initiative funded by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The JTWS programme will address the global water crisis by fostering climate resilience and sustainable water management, ultimately benefitting 40 million people worldwide.
The programme’s three core initiatives include:
- Water Resilience Tracker: Supporting governments in developing inclusive, climate-resilient water policies.
- Fair Water Footprints: Encouraging climate risk action in global supply chains through cross-sectoral partnerships.
- Resilient Water Accelerator: Facilitating investment in scalable, bankable water security solutions.
