UN sounds alarm over rising demands on water resources as scarcity increases – The European Sting

Report on Global Freshwater Scarcity and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

A recent report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights growing pressures on freshwater resources worldwide, particularly in regions experiencing scarcity. This report updates data on renewable water availability—the annual replenishment of freshwater in rivers and aquifers through precipitation—and its implications for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Decline in Renewable Water Availability

1. Renewable water availability per capita has declined by 7% over the past decade, decreasing from 5,719 to 5,326 cubic meters per person.
2. Regions most affected include Northern Africa, Southern Asia, and Western Asia.
3. Countries such as Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Yemen rank among those with the lowest total renewable water resources.

Increase in Freshwater Withdrawal

Freshwater withdrawals have increased in several regions, exacerbating stress on river basins and aquifers, which challenges the achievement of SDG 6 targets.

• Northern Africa experienced the largest increase, with freshwater withdrawals rising by 16%.
• Globally, nearly 70% of freshwater withdrawals come from surface water sources, while 23% originate from groundwater.

Water Use in Agriculture

Agriculture remains the largest consumer of freshwater globally, impacting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

• Around 72% of global freshwater withdrawals are used for agriculture.
• The industrial and service sectors account for 15% and 13% respectively.
• Sixty-six countries allocate more than 75% of their freshwater withdrawals to agriculture.
• In Afghanistan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mali, Nepal, Somalia, and Sudan, this figure reaches 95%.

Shifts in Water Availability and Demand

The report notes significant regional shifts in water availability and demand, posing challenges to sustainable water management and SDG 6.

• North Africa continues to have some of the lowest freshwater availability per capita worldwide, with a 16% increase in withdrawals over the past decade.
• Western Asia, encompassing most Middle Eastern countries, faces increased pressure due to rapid population growth and agricultural demand.

Irrigation and Water-Use Efficiency

Disparities in irrigation coverage and water-use efficiency reveal inequalities in access to water infrastructure, affecting SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

• In Latin America and Asia, irrigation supports a large share of crop production.
• In sub-Saharan Africa, irrigated cropland represents only a small fraction of total cultivated land, indicating persistent infrastructure gaps.
• Countries with highest irrigation coverage include Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Suriname, and Uzbekistan, where over 90% of cultivated land is irrigated.
• Approximately 35 countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, have less than 1% of cultivated land under irrigation.

Conclusion and Recommendations

1. Urgent action is required to improve water management and infrastructure to meet SDG 6 targets and ensure sustainable freshwater availability.
2. Enhancing irrigation efficiency and equitable water access can support SDG 2 by improving agricultural productivity while conserving water resources.
3. Addressing regional disparities and promoting sustainable water use are critical to achieving multiple SDGs, including SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15.

Source: United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 2025 AQUASTAT Water Data Snapshot

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The article focuses extensively on freshwater availability, water withdrawals, and irrigation, which are core aspects of SDG 6.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Agriculture’s heavy water use and irrigation efficiency relate to food production and sustainable agriculture.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The article discusses water-use efficiency and sustainable management of water resources.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action – The increasing water scarcity and pressure on freshwater resources imply climate-related challenges affecting water availability.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land – Water resource management impacts ecosystems and land use, especially in agriculture and water basins.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 6 Targets:
   • 6.1 – Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water.
   • 6.3 – Improve water quality and wastewater treatment.
   • 6.4 – Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals.
   • 6.5 – Implement integrated water resources management at all levels.
2. SDG 2 Targets:
   • 2.3 – Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers through sustainable practices.
   • 2.4 – Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
3. SDG 12 Targets:
   • 12.2 – Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
4. SDG 13 Targets:
   • 13.1 – Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
5. SDG 15 Targets:
   • 15.1 – Ensure conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Renewable water availability per capita – The article mentions a decline in renewable water availability per person (from 5,719 to 5,326 m³), which relates to SDG 6.4.2 (Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources).
2. Freshwater withdrawals by sector – Percentages of water withdrawals by agriculture (72%), industry (15%), and services (13%) can be linked to SDG 6.4.1 (Change in water-use efficiency over time).
3. Irrigation coverage of cultivated land – Percentage of cultivated land equipped for irrigation (e.g., over 90% in Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Suriname, Uzbekistan) relates to SDG 2.4.1 (Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture).
4. Increase in freshwater withdrawals in regions – The 16% increase in Northern Africa’s freshwater withdrawals indicates pressure on water resources, relevant to SDG 6.4.2.
5. Proportion of countries allocating >75% of freshwater to agriculture – This data reflects water use patterns and efficiency, relevant to SDG 6.4 and SDG 2.4.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: europeansting.com