Sanitation and COP26
The 26th conference of parties, COP26 to you and me, has drawn to a close in Glasgow. There has been a conference on climate every year since 1994 and yet this is the first where a water pavilion has appeared. With 100,000 people protesting on the streets of Glasgow and Greta Thunberg stating that politicians were greenwashing what has really gone on and has anything been achieved?
Water is a significant issue that climate change will affect and in turn will impact on the human populations and ecosystems of the planet. The UN-Sustainable Development Goal 6 states that “Water sustains life, but safe clean drinking water defines civilisation”, with this statement in mind, how many regions cannot be defined as civilisations? With significant individuals flying in from across the world, 400 private jets creating more CO2 emissions than 1600 Scots in a year, you'd think that more would be achieved. Unfortunately significant countries such as China, Russia and Saudi Arabic found their schedules to be too hectic to attend. Without all contributors being present little headway can be made; does this make the whole thing pointless, more of a public charade than anything significant?
Climate change will have a significant impact on sanitation infrastructure. The simple technologies used for lower levels of service are more vulnerable than the complex systems used to deliver higher levels of service. Meaning those living in vulnerable communities will be even more at risk and need more support. By investing in more complex systems for informal settlements or poorer neighbourhoods, money will be saved in the long term and a better quality of life will be provided. Climate change will affect the sustainability of even complex systems unless they are made more resilient, if this does not occur risk of water related disease could increase dramatically. So we know that infrastructure improvement is necessary but who pays for this and who can make a difference?
The water pavilion dedicated an entire day to climate resilience and sanitation, specialists gathered from across the globe but was it attended by those who matter. Conferences are great as a gathering point for like minds to discuss research, proposals and ways forward but without governmental authorities or private investors being privy to these conversations progress is not made.
A strategic framework on WASH climate resilience has been produced with relevant information, however I find these documents to be excessive at points. Who within a governments financial department has the time to read through these extensive proposals? The World Bank has released a Resilient Water Infrastructure Design Brief but again who is this aimed at, those with funding already. How do we involve investors or authorities, how do we show the importance of building resilience into sanitation? I don't know the answers to these questions. From what I can see funding is key to creating change, communities know what they require and if additional information can be provided by experts to improve resilience great things can be achieved. Bringing so many sides to the table to work together though in a time where so much is already at stake seems to be a real issue. The importance of water and sanitation needs to be publicised to a greater degree.
This is a thoughtful post on COP26 and it is nice to see the recognition of the water pavilion - been a long time coming. You rightly question whether key decision-makers may have attended sessions at the COP26 Water Pavilion. As someone who was in the pavilion each day for 5 days, I too have my doubts. You quote a World Bank document and wonder whether it is aptly targeting investors but who are these? Your post does not clarify. Discussions at COP26 of "low absorption" of climate finance under Green Climate Fund to enable climate-resilient infrastructure was itself very much focused on international investors, not local-scale entrepreneurs. Might the problem lie in the target audience to finance and support sanitation (and water-supply) provision?
ReplyDeleteI hope to address the World Bank Document in a future post exploring it further. It seems to me that private investors are the target audience, large foundations or individuals who have the funds and wish to take part in philanthropy. I think if the target audience was changed, encouraging governments and local individuals to invest in their communities rather than waiting for international investment steps forward could be made.
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