Working on Sustainable Development Goal 6 with Smartvatten

With the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the world is working together to make our planet peaceful and prosperous – for everyone. Urgent action on each of the 17 outlined goals is required, and that includes SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. The responsible use and management of water not only helps achieve this goal, but contributes to making every goal possible.

The United Nations SDGs are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, created in 2012 and adopted by all member states in 2015. They address the global challenges the world faces today in 17 specific goals – from eradicating poverty and reducing inequality to taking serious climate action. The Agenda and goals provide ‘a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.’ While each goal has its own specific focus, they are all connected: action in one area affects the others.

Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 6 works to ‘ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.’ Action on this goal is particularly relevant for the overall achievement of the sustainable development agenda, as clean water and sanitation are essential to most others. We need clean and safe water to drink, wash, produce food, prevent or cure illnesses, and in most production and construction processes.

And taking action in this area is urgent: with 2.2 billion people lacking access to safe drinking water and over 4.2 billion having to do without safe sanitation facilities, the world faces a global water crisis. Population growth, agriculture and pollution are the three foremost causes of clean water scarcity, and the effects of climate change are only exacerbating these problems. Global weather and water patterns are changing and will continue to change, leading to droughts in some places and floods in others.

The Global Water Crisis is Getting Worse

But achieving SDG 6 is not going well. On average, access to basic water supply and sanitation has expanded by an average of 1% every year since 2000. But to make sure everyone around the world has at least basic services by 2030, we need at least 3% every year. And with the twin threats of an increase in both water demand and degradation, the water and sanitation crisis is only getting worse.

It’s “hindering progress on the 2030 Agenda, the realization of human rights and the achievement of peace and security around the world,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in July 2020. To speed up progress in achieving the water and sanitation related SDGs, the UN Water Action Decade was launched in 2018 and the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework in 2020.

According to the United Nations, ‘there are many examples from around the world which prove that dramatic gains in water and sanitation are possible in just a few years and that some of the solutions are inexpensive, effective and can be quickly deployed.’ By taking action and sharing knowledge and experiences, we can act, learn and evolve together.

Taking Action in the Real Estate Sector

At Smartvatten, we want to do just that. Our focus is on helping the real estate sector work on the responsible consumption and management of water in their properties, with affordable and simple solutions. Our remote monitoring and leak detection system provide insight into the consumption of your portfolio and help detect, solve, and prevent leaks. We share our knowledge and experience by offering advice and helping companies create and implement clear water strategies. So, together with our clients, we play our part in making clean and safe water for everyone a reality.

Want to find out how your company can contribute to achieving SDG 6? Contact us at info@smartvatten.com!