Where People and Water Collide | An Initial Perspective Insights from Multiple Expert Discussions, curated by Future Agenda 27 April 2016

Context This initial perspective on ‘Where people and water collide’ is a deeper study of

a subset of the Future Agenda 2.0 global discussions on the Future of Water. It is an initial view to be shared, challenged, built upon and enhanced.

Initial Perspectives

Q4 2014

Global Discussions Q1-3 2015

Insight Synthesis Q4 2015

Sharing of Output /

Deeper Study 2016

Closing the Inequality Gap One of the challenges facing the state is how to balance equity

and autonomy. A centralised system is often viewed to be more equitable at the expense of autonomy.

Prevention and Self-Reliance An opportunity exists for the social sector to transform itself – and influence

the state - from a focus on acute needs to that of prevention and on improving the self-reliance of individuals and communities over the longer-term.

Water Wars Access to water supplies will play an increasingly important role

in violent regional conflict, with water assets becoming prime targets, prized spoils and even weapons in their own right.

Hard Choices In a society where there is a widening gulf between rich and poor,

the rich may live increasingly separate lives and provide for their own “public services”.

Unchartered Waters The issues facing oceans have led to the establishment of a UN Sustainable

Development Goal dedicated to ocean conservation. As problems become more visible to many we will see increased recognition of the need for better governance.

Silver Surfers Over 60’s, the Active Third Age, are staying active longer as they aim to keep the body and mind stimulated. From 2002 – 2014 the volume increase in water sports

participation in the age bracket of those aged 55+ stands at 66%.

Filled to the Gunwales The maritime sector is global, mobile and growing. Ships carry 80% of global trade

and with international trade forecast to grow strongly, seaborne trade is expected to increase rapidly to match demand, which is predicted to double by 2030 (from 2015).

Changing Role of Government Entities compete with the state for influence - environmental, human rights, and other activist NGOs – and operate at many levels of government around the world. This new

dynamic changes the role of the state.

Real Cost of Water Users are likely to have to pay for the real cost of infrastructure. One short-term option is the financial recycling of assets and capital. However, in the

longer-term we will have to pay the true value for key resources.

Meeting Demand With Limited Capacity There is a need for increased government capacity to deal with the increased

demands placed on the state. In many countries, this has been exacerbated by an underinvestment in public sector capacity over the past few decades.

Digital Engagement Cities are using digital platforms to better plan for the future and encourage public

engagement. Using new technology and big data to support strategic planning of a city can help improve public engagement with the process.

Creating Skills Demand Stimulating demand from NfPs for sustained leadership development can help

ensure the long-term heath of the sector but requires that funders and regulators instil and measure against an agreed leadership code.

Readiness for Water Scarcity Currently half of the world’s cities with more than 100,000 in habitants

are situated in areas experiencing water scarcity. To date neither governments nor businesses have done enough to prepare for this.

Valuing Eco-system Services Growing recognition of the economic value of ecosystem services leads to core

business considerations which recognise their explicit value. Natural capital/assets will become more commonplace in accounting systems.

Pop-up Economies Crowd-sourcing will enable ‘pop-up economies’ where communities pool

resources and so reduce the need for government involvement. The downside is that communities create their own identity making “them and us” obvious.

Water Resistance Technological and process developments make the production of high quality water from storm-water and wastewater feasible and practical; driving public, political and commercial acceptance of recycled water.

10 Seconds of Attention Increased consumer choices and channels leave brands fighting for 10 seconds of

attention. A new paradigm will emerge, based on dynamic, fast-moving, calls to action rather than long-term relationships with delayed rewards.

Crowd Truthing Such is the influence of the rising data swirl that “truth” may well become what the online crowds agree to: We see a world where

‘crowd truth verification’ is prioritised over search and media.

Business Solutions to Societal Problems Re-visioning the role of business in society may lead to a reduction in

inequality, less partisan politics and greater action as businesses take the lead rather than waiting for Government to lead them.

Collaborative Business Models Partnerships shift to become more dynamic, agile, long-term, democratised

and multi-party collaborations. Big challenges are addressed by global groups of diverse stakeholders built around new, non-financial incentives.

The Third Space for Data By 2025, a new place for data emerges - between public and private. This is

driven by "data philanthropy" and the donation of data for social purposes such as healthcare and improving our ability to respond to disasters.

Post Modern Workplaces We are on the cusp of a transition to a world where, half of the populations of Europe and the United States subscribe to post-modern values of autonomy and diversity. The

workplace will not escape this trend.

The Climate Change Challenge Climate change can no longer be ignored. While many are now looking at improving the resilience of their facilities to more extreme weather, how many will also seek to adapt to the new world of 4C of global warming?

Starting the Conversation Water is inter-twined with everything we do; energy, food, health and

wellbeing, manufacturing are all dependent on its availability. At the very least we need to start a public conversation about its real role in our lives.

Redefining Citizen and State Community engagement will come to define the relationship between citizens and the state. Boundaries will become blurred and power will become more

and more decentralised.

Planetary Nexuses More eco-friendly opportunities, and trade-offs, on energy supply and

use emerge from considering the nexuses of core resources such as food, water, energy and land with a growing population.

Water

Food

Land

Energy

Age Diversified Workforces The demographic changes underway are fundamentally altering

virtually all aspects of life as we know it. Workforces are becoming older and more age diversified than ever in history.

Flexi-water Continuing uncertainty around water supply will require smart, flexible water management systems to cope with drought and flood, the effects of climate

change and the demands of new industries and shifting populations.

Third Sector Consensus Society’s continuing dependence on the third sector to take on roles

traditionally provided by the state calls for the sector to better define and co-ordinate its collective approach, impact and needs.

Plastic Oceans Today 60% of the plastic waste in the ocean comes from just 5 countries –

China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. By 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans.

Skilling Rather Than Teaching As most information is available on the net, the need to prepare us for the

increasingly unstructured nature of work drives schools to become places for developing core skills – emotional intelligence / leadership / critical thinking.

Contract Compromises Government funding of the social sector has decreased and has shifted from grants

to contracts, bringing potential risk for charities in terms of compromising their purpose, whom they partner with and how services are delivered.

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