Include the fossil-free transition in the next Water Action Agenda

The next Water Action Agenda must seriously consider the role and future of water in the transition to fossil-free energy – both as an agent for change and as a sensitive system to be impacted with serious negative consequences. Producing more energy, even if “fossilfree”, will affect the achievement of water quality, biodiversity and climate goals. Leaders need to rethink the “optimal” equation to account not only for energy security but also climate, ecosystem and social benefits and trade-offs. These considerations should focus on hydropower and how it fits into other renewable energy sources, and how water use will shape these decisions.