Freshwater and 2030

The Nature Conservancy (

Non-governmental organization (NGO)

)

#SDGAction49791

Description

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a global conservation leader, we are deeply committed to protecting and restoring the planet’s fragile freshwater systems. Globally, monitored freshwater populations have declined by an average of 83% since 1970, we’ve lost 64% of the world’s wetlands since 1900, and only 37% of the world's longest rivers remain unimpeded and free-flowing. Going forward, these systems are also most likely to experience the impacts of climate change, with patterns of precipitation becoming more unpredictable and regionally drier and wetter, exacerbating preexisting patterns of water abundance and insecurity. In response to this urgency, The Nature Conservancy commits to conserving 1 million kilometers of rivers and 30 million hectares of lakes and wetlands benefiting tens of millions of people by 2030. To deliver on this commitment, we will invest $250 million over the next seven years in partnership with the public and private sector through projects around the world.

Expected Impact

The Nature Conservancy’s commitment and investment relates most directly to Sustainable Development Goals 15 (protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss) and more specifically 15.1 which relates to inland waters (by 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements), 6 (ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all), and to a lesser extent 9 (build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation). We need water for people and water for nature, though for too long, we’ve viewed our rivers, lakes and wetlands as an unlimited source of water for development. The result has been devastating for the world’s freshwater ecosystems. We can do better by advancing nature-based solutions alongside novel protection and restoration efforts that combine policy, governance, protection, and restoration to safeguard inland waters. Together, we stand a better chance of bending the curve of freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem loss. We need healthy freshwater ecosystems for today’s needs and tomorrow’s generations too. Freshwater ecosystems can also help us become more resilient to climate change by providing places for floodwaters to settle, thereby reducing risk to people, and spaces for fish and other species to move to when conditions change, while helping 100 million people at severe risk of climate-related emergencies. For solutions to be truly durable, they must also address challenges at the intersection of water and equity which requires inclusive and collaborative approaches to engagement, decision-making, and governance.

Partners

Public sector, private sector, civil society, local communities

Additional information

The Nature Conservancy’s 2030 commitments, including freshwater, can be found here: https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/

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 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 15

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

15.1

By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements

15.1.1

Forest area as a proportion of total land area

15.1.2

Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type

15.2

By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

15.2.1

Progress towards sustainable forest management

15.3

By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world

15.3.1

Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area

15.4

By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development

15.4.1

Coverage by protected areas of important sites for mountain biodiversity

15.4.2

Mountain Green Cover Index

15.5

Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

15.5.1

Red List Index

15.6

Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally agreed

15.6.1

Number of countries that have adopted legislative, administrative and policy frameworks to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits

15.7

Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products

15.7.1

Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked

15.8

By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species

15.8.1

Proportion of countries adopting relevant national legislation and adequately resourcing the prevention or control of invasive alien species

15.9

By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts

15.9.1

(a) Number of countries that have established national targets in accordance with or similar to Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 in their national biodiversity strategy and action plans and the progress reported towards these targets; and (b) integration of biodiversity into national accounting and reporting systems, defined as implementation of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

15.a

Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems

15.a.1

(a) Official development assistance on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; and (b) revenue generated and finance mobilized from biodiversity-relevant economic instruments

15.b

Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation

15.b.1

(a) Official development assistance on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; and (b) revenue generated and finance mobilized from biodiversity-relevant economic instruments

15.c

Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities

15.c.1

Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked

SDG 14 targets covered

Name	Description

Deliverables & Timeline

31 December, 2030

We will demonstrate nature-based solutions work through the execution of over 12 flagship watershed investment programs located around the world (https://resilientwatersheds.nature.org/where-we-work).

31 December, 2030

We will build the capacity of partners to create and strengthen their own watershed investment programs through trainings and technical assistance available through our Nature for Water Facility (https://nature4water.org/).

31 December, 2030

We will unlock investments in nature-based solutions from industry, governments, and financiers through partnerships and policy reform and remove barriers for their adoption (https://resilientwatersheds.nature.org/partners-policy-funding).

31 December, 2030

In partnership with governments, Indigenous peoples, local communities, and civil society, we will durably conserve high priority rivers, lakes and wetlands, through effective protection, restoration, investment, and governance strategies and efforts.

Resources mobilized

Staff / Technical expertise

Over 500 staff engaged in freshwater

Financing (in USD)

$250 million in public and private investment over the next seven years

Partnership Progress

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