Global Scans · Water · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Global demand for fresh water is expected to outpace sustainable supply by 40% in 2030. Global water demand will climb in tandem with population and economic growth. At least two-thirds of the world's population will face 'water stress' by 2025 and the number of people affected by floods could increase by a factor of three by 2100 bring significant risk of unrest and conflict. The UN Security Council will have to declare water a strategic resource of humanity and adopt a resolution to protect water resources and installations. Organizations will be expected to play their part in conserving water.

• [New] Asia accounts for over 60% of the world's irrigated land, yet suffers from low water use efficiency, creating a vast opportunity for smart technology adoption. Market Data Forecast
• [New] According to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, over 60% of the global population will live in urban areas by 2030, intensifying the demand for smart urban services including automated irrigation for parks, medians, and sports fields. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Global water demand is projected to exceed supply by 40% by 2030 if current trends continue, creating an urgent imperative for conservation measures. Market Data Forecast
• [New] The World Meteorological Organization expects an El Nino event to develop in the coming months, and some scientists predict it could be the strongest this century based on high Pacific Ocean surface temperatures. Proactiveinvestors NA
• [New] The projected El Nino is likely to yield asymmetric impacts; with drought-like conditions reducing maize, rice, and wheat production in Asia and Australia and wet conditions boosting global soybean production in the Americas. ORF Middle East
• [New] For the Middle East, a lingering El Nino threatens domestic water supply, with the potential for drought-related disputes to emerge in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. ORF Middle East
• [New] Three channels: lower productivity raises wholesale grain prices, supply disruption on Amazon-basin rivers raises freight costs by up to 57% in severe events, and El Nino-driven drought in the Andes reduces hydropower output and raises regional energy costs. The Rio Times
• [New] Water scarcity intensified by climate change could actually cost some regions up to 6% of GDP by 2050. World Bank Live
• [New] Water systems built for a future where nearly 90% of 2026 host stadiums will require adaptation measures and one third will see water demand meet or exceed supply by 2050. Sustainable Brands
• [New] San Joaquin Valley farms could see 20% reductions in applied water by 2040 due to groundwater pumping restrictions stemming primarily from SGMA but also from other new environmental regulations. Valley Ag Voice
• [New] As global water stress intensifies due to climate change, economic development and regional scarcity, proactive water stewardship enables organizations to optimize resource use, enhance efficiency, maintain quality and mitigate future disruptions. TRC Companies
• [New] Investing $1.8 trillion globally in five areas (early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, improved agriculture, mangrove protection and water resilience) could yield $7.1 trillion in total net benefits by 2030. TRC Companies
• [New] With a 70% chance of El Nino developing by June - that's a prolonged climate pattern featuring unusually warm ocean waters, basically - climatologists are predicting an event that could give us a horrifying glimpse at the world 10 years from now. Futurism
• Through the Water Forward Initiative, ADB will target reaching 100 million people in developing economies in Asia and the Pacific by 2030 with safe water, sanitation, irrigation, and greater resilience to floods, droughts, and storms. World Bank Live
• Vietnam's commitment: By 2030, Vietnam will ensure sufficient water supply for domestic use and economic development, reaching 100% of urban households and 80% of rural households. World Bank Live
• The growing global water scarcity makes the rational use of water resources a matter of national policy level, placing it at the core of the Uzbekistan 2030 strategy, which sets 10 concrete targets to be achieved by 2030. World Bank Live
• Kenya is facing a widening gap between growing demand for reliable water sanitation and irrigation, and limited climate-vulnerable supply with inadequate service coverage, high losses, low storage, and overreliance on rain-fed systems, turning water insecurity into a macrofiscal risk. World Bank Live
• President Alassane Ouattara is a champion of the African Union 2063 Green Agenda, and 2026 has been designated as the Year of Drinkable Water. World Bank Live
• Through the Presidential Pact for Water, we are aiming for 60% access to drinkable water by 2035 with a program representing 20 billion dollars. World Bank Live
• IOD (Indian Ocean Dipole): A positive IOD phase developing in tandem with El Nino (forecast for June/July 2026) will amplify drought in Indonesia and Australia. Through my Asian lens
• Displacement: Flooding in Southern Africa and South America, combined with drought-induced agricultural collapse, could trigger climate migration. Through my Asian lens
• Precipitation: Below-normal summer rainfall combined with higher temperatures indicates elevated drought potential, especially in Central Europe. Through my Asian lens
• Up to half of the world's rangelands are degraded or at risk, with serious consequences for food and water security, biodiversity, climate resilience and rural livelihoods. United Nations

Last updated: 16 May 2026