Water is inextricably linked to the climate crisis through sea level rise, worsening floods and droughts, changes in water demand, increasing pollution and loss of biodiversity. Access to clean water and sanitation is unevenly distributed, fueling conflicts and inequalities. Future-proof and fair water management is essential to securing long-term water quantity, quality and access for all.

Addressing the complex pressures and diverging demands on water requires a system-level understanding of water systems and their interconnectedness with economic, political, technological and ecological realities. This raises complex questions about water governance, climate adaptation strategies, water reuse practices, water quality standards and regulations. Within this theme, SEVEN investigates how systemic transformations and governance can safeguard water locally and globally.

To move towards climate-proof water systems of the future, SEVEN combines systems thinking with interdisciplinary research and close collaboration with water companies, policymakers, researchers and communities. This approach enables the development of actionable knowledge — ranging from concrete proposals to reduce the climate impacts on water systems, to co-created sustainable water management practices— with a view towards a shared responsibility for long-term water availability and safety. 

The projects below illustrate how SEVEN’s work on climate and health translates into concrete research and interventions in practice.