Water efficiency seen important to resilient economic growth

Résumé détaillé

Beyond managing risks, improving water-use efficiency can also support economic growth. Tan pointed to China's Yangtze River basin, where economic output has expanded while water…

More efficient water use and investment in climate-resilient infrastructure are becoming increasingly important for industrial competitiveness, experts said at a recent international forum in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The 2026 Integral Conversation, a cross-disciplinary forum on sustainable development, was organized by the Integral Institute, a nonprofit organization that brings together experts and practitioners to promote research, education and cooperation on sustainable development.

Held from Oct 29 to 31 under the theme "Water Connects, We Thrive", the forum brought together nearly 300 participants to discuss the links between water management, economic development and environmental protection.

Debra Tan, head of China Water Risk (CWR), a nonprofit initiative working to integrate water and climate risks into financial decision-making and corporate strategies, warned that global water shortages, melting glaciers and rising sea levels could disrupt infrastructure, undermine property values and expose financial institutions to broader risks.

She said water-related risks should be treated as financial concerns rather than viewed solely as environmental or sustainability issues.

The financing challenge is particularly evident in Southeast Asia. Susan Hu, the World Economic Forum's lead for nature and climate in Greater China, said the region requires an estimated $12.9 billion in water-related climate adaptation investment between 2025 and 2030, with a financing gap of about $6.4 billion.

Hu said adaptation projects often struggle to attract private capital because they are relatively small, highly dependent on local conditions and generate benefits shared by multiple stakeholders. Better risk data, project preparation and financing mechanisms could help turn adaptation needs into viable investment opportunities, she added.

Beyond managing risks, improving water-use efficiency can also support economic growth.

Scott Vaughan, international chief advisor to…

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