Planetary Boundaries and Absolute Sustainability in the Water sector

The sustainability agenda is under pressure globally. Rapid climate change, accelerating biodiversity loss, and worsening freshwater scarcity are pushing Earth’s systems toward critical thresholds, and progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains alarmingly slow.

The first webinar will present the concept of absolute sustainability based on planetary boundaries and its relevance for the water sector, combined with examples of actual implementation. This will include the role of life cycle analysis (LCA) in the concepts of absolute sustainability and planetary boundaries.

The second webinar will highlight how a strategic approach to sustainability and reporting supports sustainable development by linking strategiMes to actions and ensuring follow-up.

Jointly organised by IWA’s Climate Smart Utilities and the IWA Specialist Group on Sustainability in the Water Sector, the webinars will conclude with a dedicated workshop planned in Glasgow in 2026 and with the aim of a publication of a best-practice compendium.

Practitioners, water utilities, manufacturers, academics, and engineers as well as non-governmental organisations, government water agencies, and youth who are actively engaged in grassroots water management initiatives, focusing on education and awareness programs

Following these webinars, participants will understand:

• The concepts: planetary boundaries and absolute sustainability
• How can these new concepts promote sustainable change in the water sector
• The value of including sustainability as a key element in water sector strategies
• How monitoring and reporting on sustainability will enhance actions on the ground