CAC Episode 6: How to Respond To Water Bankruptcy?

30 June 2026

12:30:00 - 13:30:00

Overview

Water scarcity is no longer the only challenge. According to the flagship report by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) , published in 2026 on Global Water Bankruptcy, the world has entered an era of “water bankruptcy”, a state where water use has exceeded sustainable limits.

The sixth episode of the Climate Action Conversations Series examined how the concept of water bankruptcy differs from traditional understandings of water crisis. The session brought together leading experts and practitioners to address the drivers and consequences of water bankruptcy — from water quality degradation to climate resilience failures and environmental injustice. Anchored in the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, the webinar highlighted practical, technical, and governance responses to advance sustainable water management across diverse contexts — from arid regions to urban watersheds.

Watch the full webinar recording and revisit the key discussions below

Insights and Impact

The discussion brought together diverse perspectives from [sectors represented], on the emerging concept of water bankruptcy and its implications for climate resilience, water governance, and sustainable development. Throughout the session, speakers highlighted the interconnected challenges of water scarcity, water quality degradation, environmental justice, adaptive governance, and transboundary cooperation.

Resources

To extend the value of the discussion beyond the webinar, GEAF has developed a companion booklet that captures the key insights, recommendations, and perspectives shared by the speakers.

Whether you attended the webinar or are exploring the topic for the first time, the booklet serves as a valuable resource for students, practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and all those interested in a Just Transition.

📘 Download the Post-Webinar Resource Booklet

Speakers

Diane Guerrier

Environmental Affairs Officer, UN Water Convention secretariat, UNECE

Diane Guerrier is Environmental Affairs Officer at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and works at the secretariat of the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UN Water Convention). She supports the implementation of the Convention’s triennial program of work, through the provision of technical and policy support to countries and the servicing of the Convention’s intergovernmental bodies.

Emily Kroft

Policy Advisor, IISD (International Institute for Sustainable Development)

Emily is a Policy Advisor within IISD's Water program. She leads efforts on international policy recommendations for the team, specifically those related to plastic pollution and sustainable fisheries. She also leads the IISD Next program which annually engages and inspires hundreds of young people around the world in issues of sustainable development. Emily holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) in environmental science and an M.Sc. in biology.

Erik A. Schnetzler

Project Manager, Geneva Water Hub

Erik Schnetzler is a Project Manager at the Geneva Water Hub, focusing on water and peacemaking, with particular attention to water and mediation, and on elevating Water for Peace in global policy processes. He previously worked as an Environment Officer at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi and as a consultant on water security with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Programme Office in Astana.

Sarah Okorno

Water and Climate Adaptation Professional

Sarah Okorno is a climate and water professional with a background in climate adaptation, water policy, resilience building, and community engagement. She holds a BSc in Meteorology and Climate Science and a Master's degree in Water Policy. Sarah has worked with the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), the Climate Vulnerable Forum/V20 (CVF/V20), and other organizations, supporting climate risk assessments, water and urban resilience initiatives, research, communications, and program delivery.

Silvia Cardascia

PhD Fellow, University of Strasbourg

Silvia Cardascia is a PhD fellow at the University of Strasbourg in France. Her research focuses on global freshwater conservation policy and governance with case studies in Europe and Mexico. Previously, she worked as a water resources specialist at the Asian Development Bank, where she led projects on water resources management, freshwater conservation, payment for ecosystem services, and climate adaptation. She is also the co-chair of the Global River Protection Coalition.

Tapas Kumar Mollick

Founder & Executive Director of SESDO (Social & Environmental Sustainable Development Organization) and GEAF Ambassador

Tapas Kumar Mollick is a youth climate activist from Bangladesh and the Founder & Executive Director of SESDO (Social & Environmental Sustainable Development Organization). He works with coastal and rural communities in the climate-vulnerable Sundarbans, focusing on mangrove restoration, youth and women’s empowerment, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. Tapas leads youth-driven initiatives such as Mangroves4Life and actively engages schools, local authorities, and volunteers in awareness-raising and hands-on climate action.