Water and energy are closely interlinked and interdependent. Energy generation and transmission requires utilization of water resources, particularly for hydroelectric, nuclear, and thermal energy sources. Conversely, about 8% of the global energy generation is used for pumping, treating and transporting water to various consumers.

In 2014, the UN System – working closely with its Member States and other relevant stakeholders – is collectively bringing its attention to the water-energy nexus, particularly addressing inequities, especially for the 'bottom billion' who live in slums and impoverished rural areas and survive without access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, sufficient food and energy services. It also aims to facilitate the development of policies and crosscutting frameworks that bridge ministries and sectors, leading the way to energy security and sustainable water use in a green economy. Particular attention will be paid to identifying best practices that can make a water- and energy-efficient 'Green Industry' a reality.

 

Objectives of World Water Day in 2014

• Raise awareness of the inter-linkages between water and energy

• Contribute to a policy dialogue that focuses on the broad range of issues related to the nexus of water and energy

• Demonstrate, through case studies, to decision makers in the energy sector and the water domain that integrated approaches and solutions to water-energy issues can achieve greater economic and social impacts

• Identify policy formulation and capacity development issues in which the UN system, in particular UN-Water and UN-Energy, can offer significant contributions

• Identify key stakeholders in the water-energy nexus and actively engaging them in further developing the water-energy linkages

• Contribute as relevant to the post-2015 discussions in relation to the water-energy nexus.

Water issues in China

Drinking water for 280 mln Chinese unsafe

Water plant outflow turns river bright blue

Residents with smelly water buy bottles

 

China's efforts to protect water resources

	China to limit Yangtze River exploration China will adopt its strictest measures ever to restrict the exploration of the Yangtze River. According to reliable sources, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economic planning body, has been put in charge of formulating a document on how to use the Yangtze River to boost the country's economic development. The document is expected to be released this year.
	China introduces tiered pricing to save water All cities in China should be charging tiered prices for household water by the end of 2015, to encourage people to use less water. The guidelines published on Friday by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ministry,suggest a three rate structure, charging more to homes which use more.
	China to spend US$330b on water pollution China plans to spend 2 trillion yuan (US$330 billion) on an action plan to tackle pollution of its scarce water resources. The plan is still being finalized but the budget has been set, exceeding the 1.7 trillion yuan China plans to spend battling its more-publicized air pollution crisis. It will aim to improve the quality of China's water by 30 to 50 percent through investment in measures such as waste water treatment, recycling and membrane technology.

 

Photo gallery

Ganjiang River water level hits all-time low

Invasive water plants clogging S China river

Poyang Lake sees decreasing water level

Vast garbage pit threatening Beijing drinking water

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