Events

Water is at the core of sustainable development and is critical for socio-economic development of countries around the globe. It is vital for improving the health, welfare, and productivity of populations. Water is also fundamental to the production and preservation of a range of benefits and services for people, and is at the heart of adaptation and mitigation regarding climate change.

According to the report published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization - UNESCO, two billion people (26% of the global population) do not have access to safe drinking water and about 46% (equivalent to 3.6 billion people) of the planet's inhabitants do not have safe sanitation services. The survey also warns that the global urban population facing water scarcity is projected to double from 930 million in 2016 to 1.7–2.4 billion people in 2050.

Despite the fact that Brazil holds 12% of the world's freshwater, the country faces challenges regarding the availability of this resource. An example of this is the geographical and population discrepancy. While the Amazon hydrographic region holds 74% of water availability, it is inhabited by only 5% of Brazilians. In addition, factors such as water waste, drought in some Brazilian regions, and inadequate soil use, contribute to the country's water crisis.

The increase of waste disposal and sewage into rivers, lakes, and oceans, natural disasters, and the climate crisis we are facing affects people, economies, and ecosystems that depend on water use. Moreover, water insecurity is exacerbated by population growth, economic growth, urbanization, and climate change.

To achieve climate justice, water must be part of the climate agenda in order to guarantee that the population has the necessary access to resources, and at the same time safeguard the environment. 

With the theme "Water in focus: How to reflect on sustainable solutions", Climate Hub | Rio, in partnership with the Rio de Janeiro City Hall, intends to gather together public managers, researchers, technicians, and students who have an interest in the theme to promote one of its first public events since its launch, putting the issue of water as the focal point of this discussion. 

Simultaneous translation (English - Portuguese) will be available. Register here.

PROGRAM

9:00 am - 9:30 am | Accrediation

9:30 am - 11:00 am | Challenges for creating integrated water resources management

Despite the fact that Brazil has 12% of the world's freshwater volume, climate change has started a debate about how water resources can be managed efficiently since the difficulty in managing water resources in the Brazilian metropolitan urban scenario is a reality. The rise of flooding and dumping of garbage and domestic sewage in rivers, lakes, and oceans have increased health impacts on ecosystems and the population. Added to this, the demand for water supply and economic and social development become the main factors in the "water crisis". At the same time, social involvement from various sectors of society is needed to maximize water resources policies that contribute to national, state, and municipal development and growth. From this perspective, the proposed panel will discuss the main gaps existing in the water resources management of local and national governments. 

Speakers:

• Achilles Almeida Barreto Neto, Special Secretary for Metropolitan Integration of Rio City Hall
• Valmir Pedrosa, Professor at the National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency (ANA)
• Estela Neves, Professor at Rio de Janeiro’s Federal University (UFRJ) 
• Fernando Cid, Municipal Secretary of Environment of Nova Iguaçu

Moderator: Henrique Silveira de Souza, Deputy Secretary for Metropolitan Integration of Rio City Hall

11:00 am - 11:30 am | Coffee Break

11:30 am to 1:00 pm | How to foster sustainable strategies for water use? 

It is estimated that by 2030 the global population will reach nine billion people, increasing the current worldwide water demand by 40%. The availability of water needs to be monitored and managed effectively for better use of the resource not only for today but for the future. Among the main impacts related to the urban water cycle is the discharge of untreated sewage effluents - which can pollute seas, groundwater, and all kinds of springs, leading to the death of animals and compromising entire ecosystems, as well as the abstraction of water to supply populations. Thus, the panel aims to understand how some experiences - water use and reuse, sustainable buildings, desalination, and innovation in sewage treatment systems - could be an ally to building sustainable and efficient management of water resources.

Speakers:

• Kartik Chandran, Professor at Columbia University
• Sinval Andrade, Superintendent Director of Concessionária Águas do Rio
• Maíra Lima, Vice Director of the Instituto Reúso da Água
• Sérgio Ayrimoraes, Specialist in water resources regulation and basic sanitation at the National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency (ANA) 
• Carlos Lima, Professor at the University of Brasília (UNB)

Moderator: Adriana Bocaiúva, President of Baía de Guanabara Committee