The RWA secures financial backing from the UK’s FCDO for enhancing water security
As we step into a new year, we want to celebrate a key moment for the RWA that was announced at COP28:
On Water day at COP28, the UK government announced £39m for its new Just Transitions for Water Security (JTWS) Programme. The JTWS programme is comprised of three organisations, namely the Resilient Water Accelerator, Glasgow Declaration for Fair Water Footprints, and #watertracker by Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA). The RWA is to receive approx £11m of the £39m, stretched over 5 years.
The Just Transitions for Water Security programme will provide technical assistance to low-income and climate vulnerable countries so they can better manage their water resources. This in turn will strengthen climate resilience for the most vulnerable, support more sustainable food systems and improve drought and flood management, all while making sure everyone has access to clean water.
The programme will also help countries work towards water security and mobilise much-needed investment in water, such as large-scale rainwater harvesting.
Announcing the funding at COP28, International Development and Africa Minister Andrew Mitchell said:
Water is at the centre of the climate crisis. Water security must be driven up the global agenda.
My message is clear: we must protect water properly if we are to ensure equitable access for all. UK funding set out today will support water resilient supply chains, and boost investments to ensure this basic and vital source of life is available to vulnerable communities on the frontline of climate change.
Chief Executive of WaterAid, who currently house the RWA, Tim Wainwright said:
The climate crisis is a water crisis, with communities in low and middle income countries struggling daily with too little, too much, or too dirty water. WaterAid welcomes the UK government connecting the drops between climate change and water, committing at COP28 to invest up to £39 million into global water security.
WaterAid is happy to be supporting the Resilient Water Accelerator in unlocking private investment at pace. We hope other nations will join the UK in supporting adaptation projects that will build life-saving sustainable, climate-resilient water resources and services.
Kate Hughes CBE, CEO of the RWA said:
Now our work can start in earnest, to mobilise much needed public and private finance for this most precious and precarious resource: water.
With huge thanks also to WaterAid, The Sustainable Markets Initiative, The Global Development Incubator, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Andrew Roby BEM, Vijay Rangarajan, Martin Shouler, Arup, Rene van Hell, Deltares, Bank of America, @Sida and many others for all their help, funding and support to get us here!
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