World Water Day: Reflecting on the UKs Need to Respond
As industries across the globe took part in World Water Day on 22nd March, Housing Industry Leaders highlights how industries are changing their practices to become more sustainable.
The annual United Nations Observance started in 1993 and raises awareness of the 2 billion people currently living without access to safe water.
Hydro Nation Chair Research & Innovation Programme Successfully Launched
World Water Day saw the launch of the Hydro Nation Chair Research & Innovation Programme.
The programme’s primary focus is supporting Scottish Water to go beyond net zero by 2040.
Following a bid process that involved many Scottish universities, funding was awarded to support the Hydro Nation Chair post.
This sees University of Stirling professor, Andrew Tyler appointed as Scotland Hydro Nation Chair, with him leading a £3.5 million imitative to position the country as a global leader in water research.
George Ponton, Head of Research and Innovation at Scottish Water, said: “Scottish Water’s strategic plan has set challenging objectives to go beyond net zero emissions, deliver service excellence and great value for our customers.”
The Scotland Hydro Nation Chair will provide thought leadership and research excellence from across the academic sector to enable the transformation required to meet these ambitions
The World of Motorsport Acknowledges The Need For Change
On World Water Day, Extreme E highlighted one of the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
The sport focused on the sixth Global Goal – the availability and sustainable management of water.
Extreme E has recently returned and saw Nico Rosberg’s RXR team, inaugural Extreme E champion in 2021, win the first X-Prix of the year.
The climate focus for the season opening Desert X Prix in NEOM, Saudi Arabia, was water.
Gavin Van Tonder, Head of Water for NEOM, expressed the importance of sustainable management: “Water demand has now outstripped water supply, and people living in freshwater areas do not realise that.”
Scotland’s Waters Event Saw Industry Come Together
This event which took place in Edinburgh and via live stream, bought together Scotland’s water sector and water users.
It highlighted the key issues in the management of water and provided people with an understanding of the benefits of Scotland’s water as a resource.
Mairi McAllan MSP, Minister for Environment and Land Reform spoke at the event, praising Scotland’s water sector:
“I have been so deeply impressed by how Scotland’s water sector has admirably responded to the challenges of the pandemic.
“It has continued to provide the high quality services to clean water and sanitation, providing advice and support, and helping to keep communities right across the country safe at a time when that has mattered more than ever.”
There is still a lot more that industries must do to become more sustainable and raise awareness of water management, but there is optimism that sectors will adapt to the challenges it faces.
