4.3. Increasing the uptake of freshwater data into water-dependent sectoral processes

Figure 34. Global map of river basins experiencing high surface-water changes within protected areas

Source: DHI GRAS / UNEP

At present, protection measures for freshwater ecosystems are not able to ensure that ecosystem integrity is sufficiently maintained to deliver consistent quantity and quality of freshwater. Additionally, the effective management of freshwater ecosystems requires technically capable and politically empowered bodies that are able to finance enforcement measures in the long term and prioritize protection for ecosystem services above competing social and economic demands. National decision makers and river basin authorities should increase the protection offered to freshwater ecosystems and ensure that adequate enforcement, financing and governance structures exist to manage the protected area (UNEP, 2021). These recommendations can be partially addressed through the implementation of IWRM (indicator 6.5.1), but it is crucial that the importance of healthy ecosystems in underpinning multiple development objectives is communicated across sectors and at all levels to ensure political will for accelerating progress towards SDG target 6.6.

4.3. Increasing the uptake of freshwater data into waterdependent sectoral processes

To ensure that good water-related decisions are made, water data from all water-dependent sectors (agriculture, energy, industry, etc.) must form part of decision-making processes. Governments must also promote, share and disseminate available freshwater ecosystem data across sectors, institutions and companies that depend on such water to improve data access. The existing national SDG 6 and indicator 6.6.1 focal points are well positioned to promote planning across sectors and process data and trends (particularly at the basin level) using data available on the Freshwater Ecosystems Explorer.

5. Next steps

Indicator 6.6.1 monitoring and reporting timeline

This report has presented global and regional freshwater trends using indicator 6.6.1 data, up to and including the most recent data approved by countries in 2020. The next round of global SDG monitoring and reporting for indicator 6.6.1 is planned for 2023. The indicator 6.6.1 data will continue to be updated annually (around May), with the annual updates incorporated into the Freshwater Ecosystems Explorer.

Development of indicator 6.6.1 data sets

Data for indicator 6.6.1 remain sparse on river flow and groundwater. It may be possible to model river flow data globally using precipitation and run-off data that are correlated to in situ measurements, but at present, a method has not yet been fully developed and tested. However, it is likely that such a method could be available before the next round of reporting. Groundwater data remains notoriously difficult to gather for many countries. It is currently not possible to generate a global data set on groundwater, and countries are therefore encouraged to establish groundwater monitoring regimes to assess and report on aquifer levels over time.

Garaw Pond in Iraq, Ranya City by Haryad Abdullah on Unsplash