Home   >   Our Focus   >   Water-nomics

“Our economy runs on water & Asia has limited water resources”

No water means no growth and Asia still has a long way to develop. Compared to other developed countries in the G20, China and India, the two most populous countries in the world, simply do not have enough water to ensure food & energy security plus develop under the current export-led economic growth model. This requires governments to rethink their economic and development models through a “water-nomic” lens, which means wedding economic planning to water management.

Regulating for water scarcity through quotas & permits plus tighter standards will clearly bring about transitional risks. Which sectors will be favoured? Which sectors will get less water and be targeted for clean-up? How will this impact companies & investors? More on this in Business Unusual and Water Risk Valuation or get Intelligence By Sector.

Looking forward, we expect water-nomic focus to turn to river basins as people and economies are clustered there. Some of Asia’s major rivers are already water stressed and will face increasing stress as urbanization rates rise and climate change impact river flows. It is thus imperative to start basin-level development strategies through stewardship, climate adaptation & transboundary cooperation.

Collaboration is key to advance the water-nomics conversation and we work with government-related organisations such as China’s Foreign Economic Cooperation Office (FECO) of the Ministry of Ecology & Environment as well as regional & global think tanks.

Stay ahead of how Asia develops by exploring the Big Picture and get The Latest on this now.

 
FECO
CAS
WRI
Alliance For Water Stewardship
 

We Recommend

24 May, 2022
CWR was the thematic partner for Singapore International Water Week 2022. CWR's Dawn McGregor shares what kept us...
#analysis
24 November, 2020
Sea levels can be 3m by 2100, putting urban real estate equivalent to 22 Singapores underwater in just...
#analysis
24 November, 2020
Last month, we sat down with Dr Nicole S. Khan, an Assistant Professor from the University of Hong Kong to talk about the scientific...
#interviews
24 May, 2023
24 May, 2023 – CWR releases new report, “No River, No Power – Can Asia’s...
#notices
China Water Risk, 2023
China Water Risk releases a new report titled No River, No Power – Can Asia’s rivers power growth in a changing climate?...
#Report

The Latest

Latest Analysis & Opinions

24 May, 2023
CWR’s new report revealed 16 Asian countries’ power generation assets with installed capacity greater than the G7 ex-US face sizable trifecta exposure from escalating climate risks and rivers running dry. There are clear national energy security implications unpack this reliance on 10 climate-sensitive rivers now!
#analysis
24 May, 2023
With extreme weather on the rise, is “just enough” power the way to futureproof power systems? Experts Mike Thomas & David Fishman from The Lantau Group share their insights from the Yangtze multi-month drought
#opinions
24 May, 2023
Meet The Waveline Magnet, the only wave energy convertor that could rival fossil fuels in terms power & costs. We chat to Alex Zakheos, Co-CEO of SWEL, to unravel its potential & why it's not a major power source yet
#interviews
24 May, 2023
CDP’s new report reveals billions in potential gains for Southeast Asian companies that disclose water risks. Erica de Souza, CDP’s Regional Manager for Water Security, shares more key findings
#opinions
23 May, 2023
Isn’t it ironic that the modern age of AI co-exists with a billion people that don’t have access to clean drinking water? We chat with Samir Shah, Managing Partner of Peak Sustainability Ventures who doesn’t think only investing in ‘sexy’ tech will solve our water problems
#interviews
23 May, 2023
The second ever UN Water Conference (last one was in 1977) wrapped on March 24th. Did it deliver meaningful action? What interesting programmes were launched? What's next? Check out CWR's Dawn McGregor's 3 takeaways
#opinions

Latest Reports