How can we ensure sustainable and equitable water use in times of crisis?

Various challenges and crises from climate change to geopolitical tensions challenge the sustainable use and management of water worldwide. Finland is strongly connected to the whole through the water cycle and global value chains.

'Water connects the climate system, ecosystems and the needs of different groups. We study the whole through sustainable water security: How does human activity affect the global water cycle and water availability? And how do these changes in turn affect the rest of the environment, people and societies both locally and globally?', says project manager Suvi Sojamo from the Finnish Environment Institute.

The aim is to prepare for threats and build fair solutions for water use

The joint project of the Finnish Environment Institute, Aalto University, the Finnish Institute of International Affairs and the University of Eastern Finland examines water security through three different approaches, which are societal security of supply, water diplomacy and corporate water responsibility.

'Finland is already a global leader in promoting these themes. Although these approaches are essential for water security and emphasise cooperation between the government, companies and civil society organisations, they are often examined as separate entities. In GloWater, we bring together the latest knowledge and expertise related to them', says project deputy director, Associate Professor Marko Keskinen from Aalto University School of Engineering.

From Aalto University, the project involves two research groups, the Water and Environmental Engineering Research Group WAT from the School of Engineering and the Responsible Business Research Group (SUB) from the School of Business.

In the WAT group, research led by professor Marko Keskinen focuses primarily on promoting water security management and water diplomacy approaches. In the group led by associate professor Samuli Patala from the School of Business, the focus is on companies' water responsibility in global value chains.

The entire project aims to develop policy recommendations, steering mechanisms and operating models that promote sustainable water security together with stakeholders. This ensures sustainable and fair use of water and protects societies from water-related threats.

GloWater strengthens Finland's ability to act as a leader in water issues

GloWater research also supports the implementation of Finland's international water strategy. A strategy coordinated by five different ministries brings together domestic actors to promote a water-secure world.

'GloWater is one of the spearheads of the strategy, as it strengthens the knowledge base and creates concrete tools that enable Finland to act as a leader in water security issues in Europe and globally', says Finland's special envoy for water affairs Antti Rautavaara from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

For the S Group, project collaboration is a valuable opportunity to develop responsibility work

Companies are also committed to collaborating with the project through networks like the UN Global Compact Finland and the corporate responsibility network FIBS. Additionally, several internationally operating or subcontracting Finnish companies, such as the S Group, are involved.

'Water responsibility requires cooperation, and projects like GloWater offer us valuable opportunities to develop the S Group's water responsibility. We want to base our responsibility work on researched information, and that is why participation in research projects is important to us', says S Group’s sustainability manager Saara-Kaisa Törmälä.

GloWater is funded by the Strategic Research Council (STN), which operates in connection with the Academy of Finland. Through strategic research, concrete solutions to major challenges requiring multidisciplinary approaches are sought. Water-related societal challenges are studied through a total of five STN projects in the WAWE programme.

More information:

Project manager, Leading researcher Suvi Sojamo, Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), p. 0295251049, firstname.lastname@syke.fi

Work package leader, Associate professor Marko Keskinen, Aalto University, p. 0504714866, firstname.lastname@aalto.fi

Associate professor Samuli Patala, Aalto University School of Business, p. 0504403450
 

Project page:
Towards sustainable water security: global connections and common solutions (GloWater)

Research programme: Water as an element of well-being, security and peace (WaWe) (aka.fi) https://www.aka.fi/strateginen-tutkimus/strateginen-tutkimus/strateginen-tutkimus-pahkinankuoressa/ohjelmat-ja-hankkeet/vesi-hyvinvoinnin-turvan-ja-rauhan-elementtina-wawe/