Editor’s choice
Editor’s choice
The next Water Action Agenda must seriously consider the role and future of water in the transition to fossil-free energy – both as an agent for change and as a sensitive system to be impacted with serious negative consequences.
Producing more energy, even if “fossil-free”, will affect the achievement of water quality, biodiversity and climate goals. Leaders need to rethink the “optimal” equation to account not only for energy security but also climate, ecosystem and social benefits and trade-offs. These considerations should focus on hydropower and how it fits into other renewable energy sources, as well as how water use will shape these decisions.
This brief presents key considerations for bringing fossil-fuel free planning into water planning, with a suggested holistic view to actions for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Solar, wind and batteries at Harlingviet, The Netherlands. Courtesy of Vattenfall.
ADDENDUM: This brief was updated on 29 August 2024 to add the acknowledgement on page 3, that this brief has been produced as part of the project with financing from FORMAS – A Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development as part of the National Research Programme on Ocean and Waters (grant number 2021-02645).
Project / This project improves the understanding of water usage in river basins, energy needs, impact of increased renewables & water demand on ecosystems.
SEI brief / Sweden has faced trade-offs and challenges for hydropower in recent years, and this brief offers policy recommendations on how to balance them.
Media advisory / Eight SEI researchers will contribute their expertise to the UN 2023 Water Conference in New York.
Feature / Learn more about water actions proposed by SEI experts to support water-related SDGs and our engagement at the UN 2023 Water Conference.
