Sustainable Development Goal 6
Water scarcity threatens the future of civilization as we know it. Currently, more than 2 billion people live in countries experiencing high water scarcity, and 785 million people lack even basic drinking water service. By 2030, 700 million people worldwide could be displaced due to water shortages. The thirst of a growing population and increased water demand for agriculture and industry, coupled with more frequent droughts and floods due to climate change, makes the search for solutions more urgent than ever before.
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

WRI provides critical insights and timely data to help ensure a water-secure future (SDG 6). For example, new WRI research uncovered that drinking water access (6.1) and affordability crises in cities are often more severe than previously recognized.
Through the Aqueduct platform, we advise and support governments and other stakeholders on water risks, sustainable water withdrawals and water-use efficiency (SDG 6.4). Researchers and technical experts from WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, Natural Infrastructure Initiative, Forest Program, and Climate Program assist countries and cities in restoring and protecting water-related ecosystems such as forested watersheds and wetlands (SDG 6.6), and in strengthening participation of local communities in water projects.
Decision-makers use our Green Grey Assessment method to estimate the costs, benefits and returns on investment of natural infrastructure projects. A WRI report produced with the World Bank highlights the potential for increasing nature-based solutions together with engineered infrastructure to address water-related challenges. New work currently underway measures the financial investment necessary to meet SDG 6.
WRI Content on SDG 6
Achieving Abundance: Understanding the Cost of a Sustainable Water Future Data
Data January 21, 2020Achieving Abundance: Understanding the Cost of a Sustainable Water Future
Working Paper January 21, 2020Untreated and Unsafe: Solving the Urban Sanitation Crisis in the Global South
Working Paper December 18, 2019Green-Gray Assessment: How to Assess the Costs and Benefits of Green Infrastructure for Water Supply Systems
Working Paper August 26, 2019Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA): A Method For Implementing and Valuing Water Stewardship Activities
Working Paper August 22, 2019Natural Infrastructure for Aquifer Recharge Financial Calculator: Method, Data and Assumptions
Technical Note August 22, 2019