Accelerate use of digital solutions for a sustainable future for water

DHI A/S (

Private sector

)

#SDGAction50804

Description

Together with strategic partners, DHI will research, develop and implement digital tools and solutions that support an efficient, sustainable and futureproof global water sector. Innovative use of data and technology can benefit public and private decision makers in moving towards sustainable and resilient water management that can support growth and prosperity as well as protect biodiversity and mitigate climate change effects.

DHI commits to accelerate the use of digital solutions for a sustainable future for water by:

developing digital tools and solutions which integrate water data from source to sea with coherent information systems that can support water and climate services;
improving early warning systems and further developing data-driven disaster risk management solutions to reduce or mitigate negative impacts of natural hazards; and
establishing and implementing integrated global water information services that allow for improving water and land management, adapting to climate change and improving socio-economic and environmental resilience.

DHI is committed to holistic management of water in cities, along the coast, in oceans and freshwater ecosystems and will thus apply a source to sea methodology and will – to the extent possible – identify interlinkages with commitments made at the UN Oceans Conference 2022 and other key initiatives such as Egypt/WMO´s Action on Water Adaptation or Resilience (AWARe) initiative, the UN Secretary General´s Early Warning for All Initiative and global water information and data platforms.

Expected Impact

The main target groups of this commitment are river basin organizations, public authorities at national, regional, and local levels, private companies, cities, research organizations, and water utilities.

The long-term effect and impact will include:

Contribution to the aspirations of the major international agendas such as the Climate Action agenda, the Africa Water Vision 2025, the Africa Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, the Water Action Agenda of the UN 2023 Water Conference and finally the 2030 Agenda with particular focus on the implementation of SDGs 6, 7, 9, 13, and 14;
Integrated water resources planning and management, coupled with multi-sectoral coordination, water resources infrastructure (drinking water supply, wastewater treatment, non-revenue water), community, governance structure and inclusivity-enabling policy environment;
Common water resources data collection, assessment, monitoring, strategic basin-level analysis and basin-wide early warning systems, supporting multi-purpose uses of water and prediction of future climate change impacts;
Holistic source-to-sea management;
Ecosystems/watershed/wetlands restoration and protection-enhancing nature-based solutions.

Partners

Action Platform for Source-to-Sea Management
African Network of Basin Organisation / Réseau Africain des Organismes de Bassin
Danish Water Forum
Danish Water Industries Federation
Global Water Partnership
International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research
International Center for Biosaline Agriculture
International Water Association
Making Cities Resilient 2030
Northern Water Network
Smart Water Networks Forum
State of Green
UNEP
UNEP-DHI Centre on Water & Environment
Young Water Professionals Denmark
Additional strategic partners TBD

Additional information

The following links are examples on DHIs contribution to the transformation of the water sector together with strategic partners based on digital tools and solutions.

The SDG 6.5 IWRM data portal: http://iwrmdataportal.unepdhi.org/ (DHI hosts the portal)
The SDG 6.6. Freshwater Ecosystems Explorer: https://www.sdg661.app/ (DHI hosts the portal)
The UN Global Partnership on Marine Litter Data Hub: https://datahub.gpmarinelitter.org/ (DHI contributes to the data hub development)
Contribution to communications on integrated water resources management: https://www.unepdhi.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/05/2021-implementation-integrated-water-resources-management-arab-region-english.pdf
Global Hydrological Model: Global Hydrological Model (dhigroup.com)
Accelerating Water Action Decade implementation through the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework: https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/action-networks/acceleration-actions. The following are examples of initiatives registered on the platform that DHI contributes to via the UNEP-DHI Centre on Water and Environment:
- Water & Climate Coalition: https://www.water-climate-coalition.org/activity/call-for-partners-wmo-unep-global-hydrological-operations-platform/ (tech support to the platform)
- SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme promotes and assists with national action planning: https://www.gwp.org/en/sdg6support/ (please see Global Water Partnership´s commitment on Assisting UN Member States in advancing on IWRM implementation through better integration)
- UN-Water Integrated Monitoring Initiative: https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/un-water-integrated-monitoring-initiative-sdg-6 technical support to UNEP’s role as Custodian Agency for indicators 6.3.2, 6.5.1 and 6.6.1.
UN-Water Summit on Groundwater 2022 - Achieving SDG6 by making the invisible visible (presentation by Danish Water Forum): http://www.danishwaterforum.dk/UN2023/Dec%2023%20DWF_UN%20Groundwater%20Summit%20Final.pdf

SDGS & Targets

Goal 6

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

6.1

By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

6.1.1

Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services

6.2

By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations

6.2.1

Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water

6.3

By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally

6.3.1

Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treated

6.3.2

Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality

6.4

By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity

6.4.1

Change in water-use efficiency over time

6.4.2

Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources

6.5

By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate

6.5.1

Degree of integrated water resources management

6.5.2

Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation

6.6

By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes

6.6.1

Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time

6.a

By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies

6.a.1

Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan

6.b

Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

6.b.1

Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management

Goal 7

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

7.1

By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services

7.1.1

Proportion of population with access to electricity

7.1.2

Proportion of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology

7.2

By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

7.2.1

Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption

7.3

By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

7.3.1

Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP

7.a

By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology

7.a.1

International financial flows to developing countries in support of clean energy research and development and renewable energy production, including in hybrid systems

7.b

By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States, and land-locked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support

7.b.1

Installed renewable energy-generating capacity in developing and developed countries (in watts per capita)

Goal 9

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

9.1

Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all

9.1.1

Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road

9.1.2

Passenger and freight volumes, by mode of transport

9.2

Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries

9.2.1

Manufacturing value added as a proportion of GDP and per capita

9.2.2

Manufacturing employment as a proportion of total employment

9.3

Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets

9.3.1

Proportion of small-scale industries in total industry value added

9.3.2

Proportion of small-scale industries with a loan or line of credit

9.4

By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

9.4.1

CO₂emission per unit of value added

9.5

Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending

9.5.1

Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP

9.5.2

Researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants

9.a

Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in developing countries through enhanced financial, technological and technical support to African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States

9.a.1

Total official international support (official development assistance plus other official flows) to infrastructure

9.b

Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities

9.b.1

Proportion of medium and high-tech industry value added in total value added

9.c

Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020

9.c.1

Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology

Goal 13

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

13.1

Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

13.1.1

Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population

13.1.2

Number of countries that adopt and implement national disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030

13.1.3

Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies

13.2

Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

13.2.1

Number of countries with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

13.2.2

Total greenhouse gas emissions per year

13.3

Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

13.3.1

Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

13.a

Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible

13.a.1

Amounts provided and mobilized in United States dollars per year in relation to the continued existing collective mobilization goal of the $100 billion commitment through to 2025

13.b

Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities

13.b.1

Number of least developed countries and small island developing States with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Goal 14

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

14.1

By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

14.1.1

(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

14.2

By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

14.2.1

Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

14.3

Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

14.3.1

Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

14.4

By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

14.4.1

Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

14.5

By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

14.5.1

Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

14.6

By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

14.6.1

Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

14.7

By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

14.7.1

Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

14.a

Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

14.a.1

Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

14.b

Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

14.b.1

Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

14.c

Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

14.c.1

Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

False

Feedback

Action Network

Timeline

22 March 2023 (start date)

22 March 2028 (date of completion)

Entity

DHI A/S

SDGs

6 7 9 13 14

Region

Africa
Europe
Asia and Pacific
North America
Latin America and the Caribbean
West Asia

Other beneficiaries

River basin organizations, public authorities at national, regional and local levels, private companies, cities, ports and marine terminals, research organizations, water utilities.