CONTEXT

Earth Day (April 22) is a reminder of the interconnectedness between climate, economy, and natural resources. It is necessary to Emphasize that economic production depends on how effectively we manage land, food, energy, and water.

INDIA’S UNIQUE CHALLENGES

• Population Density: India accommodates 18% of the global population but occupies only 2.4% of the Earth’s surface area.
• Freshwater Resources: Despite its large population, India has only 4% of the world’s freshwater resources.
• Polluted Rivers: Approximately half of India’s rivers are polluted, impacting water quality and availability.
• Reservoir Storage: Many primary reservoirs in India are operating at significantly reduced live storage capacities, with 150 of them at just 38% of their total capacity.
• Groundwater Usage: India is the world’s largest user of groundwater, indicating significant stress on this vital resource.
• Climate Hotspots: Three-quarters of India’s districts are identified as hotspots for extreme climate events, highlighting the vulnerability to climate change impacts.

RECENT PROBLEMS

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted a hotter summer and longer heat waves from April to June. This prediction indicates that India needs to prepare for water stress during this period.
• There’s a challenge in how we typically respond to acute stresses (like heat, water scarcity, or extreme weather events) as temporary issues that require disaster relief.
• Instead of reacting in panic mode when disasters occur (like the water crisis in Bengaluru), there’s a need to understand and address the chronic nature of these risks.
• Climate action should not be limited to specific sectors or businesses; it requires a comprehensive approach.
• Environmental sustainability should not be limited to short-term initiatives like sapling plantation drives but should encompass broader, long-term strategies

WATER FLOWS THROUGH THE ECONOMY

The intricate flow of water through various sectors of the economy has profound implications for both livelihoods and sustainability:

1. Agriculture and Food Security
   • Precipitation feeds soil moisture and water in vegetation, crucial for agriculture (green water).
   • Changes in monsoon patterns impact crop sowing, irrigation, and harvesting, affecting food production and economic stability.
   • Enhancing agricultural resilience to water and climate stresses is vital for job security, economic growth, and food sustainability.
2. Clean Energy Transition
   • Water plays a pivotal role in the production of green hydrogen, essential for decarbonizing industries and long-distance transport.
   • Pumped storage hydropower acts as a natural battery, balancing power grid loads in clean and reliable energy systems.
3. Hydrometeorological Disasters
   • The climate crisis exacerbates hydrometeorological disasters, with a significant increase in flood-related events and water-related natural disasters.
   • Freshwater scarcity, highlighted as one of the planetary boundaries, underscores the urgent need for sustainable water management practices

INGREDIENTS OF WATER SECURITY

• Effective Water Governance:
  • Policies should recognize the interconnections between water, food, and energy systems.
  • Existing policies often lack integration in planning or implementation regarding this nexus.
  • Examples include considering water availability in scaling up green hydrogen and analyzing the impact of solar irrigation pumps on groundwater levels.
  • Local evidence and community engagement should inform policies related to the food-land-water nexus.
• Judicious Water Use and Reuse:
  • Focus on efficient use of blue and green water through water accounting and reuse strategies.
  • National Water Mission aims for a 20% increase in water use efficiency by 2025.
  • Atal Mission on Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 targets reducing non-revenue water in urban areas.
  • Water accounting principles are crucial for quantifying water use changes and promoting water efficiency.
• Financial Tools for Climate Adaptation:
  • Increase financial commitments for climate adaptation in the water sector.
  • Current climate action in India focuses more on mitigation than adaptation in water and agriculture sectors.
  • More funding is needed for interventions such as wastewater management, climate-resilient agriculture, and desalination plants.
  • Market innovations like India’s Green Credit Programme can encourage investments in adaptation measures.
• Coherence in Policies and Data-Driven Baselines:
  • Pursue coherence in water, energy, and climate policies to promote systemic change.
  • Establish data-driven baselines to monitor and increase water savings across sectors.
  • Enable new financial instruments and markets to attract investments in water adaptation measures.
• Long-term Perspective and Realistic Expectations:
  • Recognize that systemic changes take time and require sustained efforts.
  • Focus on creating a water-secure economy as a crucial step towards building a climate-resilient economy.