France's external action in the water and sanitation sector

Water, a local public good, with regional and global stakes

Water is a local public good that should be managed at the territorial level, as part of a natural basin. Freshwater resources, on the other hand, are globally unevenly distributed across regions, with limited quantities available for drinking water, agriculture, industry and energy production. Deficient management of water quality contributes to the increasing threat of water pollution from domestic, industrial and agricultural uses.

Population growth and urbanisation will heighten the problem as water consumption for evolving human diets and lifestyles, agricultural expansion and economic development will increase. The effects of climate change on the water cycle can already be felt, as hydrological variability increases and complicates the management of extreme events such as droughts and floods, which are expected to occur more frequently. Certain regions will be very affected by intensified water stress or, on the contrary, by the melting of glaciers, pulling profound changes in population distribution and housing. Securing the water supply could amount to one-fourth of the total cost of climate change adaptation measures between now and the year 2050.

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