Water Talk: Expert Q&As on the UN Sustainable Development Goals for Water

For the first time, international leaders meeting in New York City this weekend will consider a dedicated goal for water.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – which will be adopted in New York this weekend– set an ambitious priority of providing clean water and sanitation for all by 2030. They also include goals to improve water efficiency, safeguard water ecosystems, and reduce water pollution. Photo © J. Carl Ganter / CircleofBlue.org

By Codi Kozacek, Circle of Blue

On Friday, September 25, representatives from around the world gather in New York City to adopt a new global agenda for sustainable development. The proposed Sustainable Development Goals are ambitious targets to eradicate poverty and hunger, safeguard natural resources, combat climate change, and achieve human equality by 2030. The goals replace the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, which sought to provide essential services to the world’s poorest communities.

For the first time, the international targets include a dedicated goal for water that encompasses access to drinking water and sanitation as well as improvements in water management and environmental protections. The goal is a victory for water advocacy groups that have long warned that failing to address water directly would undermine global economies, security, and efforts to improve the global standard of living. It is also a significant step toward elevating access to water, uncertain water supply, and increasing water consumption to top international priorities as global leaders prepare to negotiate a world agreement to reduce climate-related risks in Paris in December.

In a series of Q&As with water experts, Circle of Blue explores the significance of the Sustainable Development Goals for water, how they can be achieved, and how they will be measured.

Q&A: Bill Christiansen on the Sustainable Development Goal for Water Efficiency

Q&A: Mark Giordano on the Sustainable Development Goal for Integrated Water Resources Management

Q&A: Giulio Boccaletti on the Sustainable Development Goal for Restoring Water Ecosystems

Q&A: Elynn Walter on the Sustainable Development Goal for Drinking Water

Q&A: Sarina Prabasi on the Sustainable Development Goal for Sanitation

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek