Integrated energy and water management will boost savings in industry – Analysis – IEA – International Energy Agency

Integrated Water and Energy Management for Sustainable Development

Advancing SDG 6 and SDG 7 through Integrated Resource Management

An integrated approach to energy and water management is critical for achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). By combining management strategies, significant reductions in both energy and water losses can be realized, leading to decreased operational costs. This synergy supports the principles of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting resource efficiency.

• Comprehensive Assessments: Integrated energy and water audits, supported by enhanced data collection, enable a full evaluation of the costs and benefits of efficiency measures, including upstream and downstream impacts.
• Cost and Time Efficiency: Combining audits saves companies valuable time and financial resources, streamlining the path toward more sustainable operations.
• Industrial Water Use: A key strategy involves utilizing lower-quality, on-site water sources, such as process water or treated wastewater. This practice directly advances SDG 6 by reducing demand on freshwater resources and supports SDG 7 by saving energy associated with water transportation and treatment.

Quantifiable Benefits for Sustainable Industrial Practices (SDG 9)

Evidence indicates that focusing on water conservation can yield substantial energy savings, directly contributing to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by fostering resilient and sustainable industrial processes. The implementation of targeted water efficiency programs has demonstrated significant, measurable outcomes.

1. Superior Energy Savings: Water conservation programs have, in some cases, delivered more substantial energy savings than initiatives focused solely on energy efficiency.
2. Industrial Audit Results: The application of water audits and subsequent implementation of recommended measures at industrial sites have yielded impressive results.
   • Water savings have been recorded in the range of 10-50%.
   • Additional cost reductions of up to 20% have been achieved through lower energy consumption and reduced use of water treatment chemicals.

Economic Viability and Environmental Impact Analysis

Investing in water efficiency is not only environmentally responsible but also economically sound, aligning with the objectives of SDG 12 and SDG 13 (Climate Action). A comprehensive analysis of the manufacturing sector in the United States highlights the compelling financial and environmental case for prioritizing water efficiency.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Investment in water efficiency is reported to be ten times more cost-effective than investing in the development of alternative water supply sources.
• Potential for Reduction: Such investments could lead to a potential water usage reduction of 60% in the manufacturing sector, significantly alleviating pressure on water resources and supporting climate goals through associated energy savings.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article primarily addresses issues related to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

   • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

     The core theme of the article is water management, conservation, and efficiency. It discusses methods to reduce freshwater demand and slash water losses, which is central to SDG 6.

   • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

     The article explicitly links water management with energy savings. It states that “water conservation programmes can… deliver even more energy savings” and integrated approaches can “slash both energy and water losses,” directly connecting to the goal of improving energy efficiency.

   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

     The context of the discussion is the industrial and manufacturing sector. The article proposes innovative approaches like “integrated energy and water audits” and using “treated wastewater” in industrial processes to make industries more sustainable and resource-efficient.

   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

     The article advocates for more efficient use of natural resources (water and energy) in production processes. The concept of achieving significant “water usage reduction” and reducing “costs for energy and water treatment chemicals” aligns with the goal of sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors.

     The article directly supports this target by highlighting that investing in water efficiency could lead to a “water usage reduction of 60%” and that industrial water audits have delivered “water savings in the range of 10-50%.”

   • Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

     This target is addressed through the article’s claim that integrated water management can lead to “additional savings of up to 20% in reduced costs for energy” and that water conservation can sometimes yield more “energy savings than programmes that focus on energy efficiency alone.”

   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency.

     The article promotes this target by describing how industry can adopt more efficient processes, such as implementing “water audits,” using “lower quality” water like “treated wastewater,” and investing in efficiency measures within the “manufacturing sector.”

   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

     The entire premise of the article—”Combining energy and water management could help slash both energy and water losses”—is an argument for this target. It focuses on reducing the consumption of two key natural resources, water and energy, in industrial production.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article implies several quantitative measures that can serve as indicators for progress:

   • For Target 6.4 (Water-use efficiency):

     The article provides direct data points that align with Indicator 6.4.1 (Change in water-use efficiency over time). The specific figures mentioned, such as “water savings in the range of 10-50%” and a potential “water usage reduction of 60%,” are direct measures of improved water-use efficiency in the industrial sector.

   • For Target 7.3 (Energy efficiency):

     Progress towards Indicator 7.3.1 (Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP) is implied. The “additional savings of up to 20% in reduced costs for energy” suggests a reduction in the energy required for industrial output, which is the definition of improving energy efficiency and lowering energy intensity.

   • For Target 12.2 (Efficient use of natural resources):

     The article’s data on water reduction relates to Indicator 12.2.2 (Domestic material consumption). Water is a key material resource, and achieving a “water usage reduction of 60%” as mentioned for the US manufacturing sector would be a direct measure of reducing the domestic consumption of this natural resource.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (and relevant data from the article)
   SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation	6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors.	6.4.1 (Change in water-use efficiency): Implied by figures like “water savings in the range of 10-50%” and “water usage reduction of 60%.”
   SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.	7.3.1 (Energy intensity): Implied by “additional savings of up to 20% in reduced costs for energy,” indicating less energy use per unit of output.
   SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure	9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency.	Implied indicator: Adoption of resource-efficient technologies/processes, such as “integrated energy and water audits” and the use of “treated wastewater.”
   SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.	12.2.2 (Domestic material consumption): The reduction of water consumption (“10-50%” or “60%”) directly measures reduced consumption of a key natural resource.

Source: iea.org