Three out of four of the jobs worldwide are water-dependent. In fact, water shortages and lack of access may limit economic growth in the years to come, according to the 2016 United Nations World Water Development Report, Water and Jobs, launched on 22 March 2016, World Water Day, in Geneva. From its collection, through various uses, to its ultimate return to the natural environment, water is a key factor in the development of job opportunities either directly related to its management (supply, infrastructure, wastewater treatment, etc.) or in economic sectors that are heavily water-dependent such as agriculture, fishing, power, industry and health. Furthermore, good access to drinking water and sanitation promotes an educated and healthy workforce, which constitutes an essential factor for sustained economic growth. In its analysis of the economic impact of access to water, the report cites numerous studies that show a positive correlation between investments in the water sector and economic growth. It also highlights the key role of water in the transition to a green economy.
- Three out of four jobs that make up the entire global workforce are water-dependent.
- The farming, fisheries, and forestry sectors alone, which are among the most heavily water-dependent, employ nearly one billion people.
- Water scarcity and disruptions in the supply of freshwater threaten jobs in water-dependent sectors and limit the growth potential for decent, high quality jobs across the economy.
- Efforts to adapt to increasing water stress have to be reinforced in order to avoid dramatic consequences for local employment, with potential follow-on effects to trade and migration.
- Access to safe and reliable water supply and sanitation services at home, school and the workplace is critical to maintaining a healthy, educated and productive workforce.
- Unsustainable water management may severely threaten hard won gains in poverty reduction and job creation.
- Better understanding of the pervasive role of water resources, infrastructure and services in economic growth and job creation is urgently needed to ensure that employment policies are sustainable.
- Investments in water-related infrastructure can be highly cost-effective and generate positive returns across different sectors of the economy.
- The creation of jobs in water resources management and water supply and sanitation services (i.e., ‘water jobs’) has been shown to produce high returns on investment and generate a significant multiplier effect on job creation in other sectors.
- Long-term planning and effective financing for improved water management are required before enhanced employment opportunities, economic growth and other related socioeconomic benefits can be realized.
- Climate change exacerbates the threats to water availability and will inevitably lead to the loss of jobs in certain sectors.
- The transition to a greener economy and the emergence of green technologies can generate positive shifts in employment and create opportunities for decent jobs.
- Innovative learning approaches as well as pertinent vocational and academic training are essential for strengthening the institutional capacity and improve employment opportunities across water-dependent sectors.
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- Copyright 2016 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UN Water.
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