Water resilience needs to be considered a nationwide safety precedence, delegates to the British Water Worldwide Discussion board 2026 heard on 23 February.
Talking on the occasion in London, Andy Roby, senior water assets advisor for the UK authorities’s Overseas Commonwealth & Improvement Workplace (FCDO), stated, that there was a possible market alternative for the water sector provider neighborhood to entry funding for tasks from authorities defence budgets and safety spending.
Some 4.5% of the federal government’s GDP spending is on defence, “and a portion of that might be for what’s being known as resilience,” Roby informed attendees. “Water resilience might be a key a part of that spending and there’s a massive market alternative there, however the query of how one can faucet into that continues to be.”
Stressing the essential significance of water safety for UK development, stability, and wider developmental goals, Roby stated, “The worldwide monetary system isn’t match for local weather change, which is 80% water associated. We have to combine water associated dangers and alternatives, guaranteeing water is valued and accounted for in financial and monetary resolution making – working throughout the entire international monetary system.”
He added, “Strengthening water safety is subsequently essential for delivering the UK’s worldwide mission to create a world free from poverty in a habitable planet.”
The 2026 UK Nationwide Safety Evaluation on International Ecosystems recognises the significance of worldwide water safety for the UK. One of many evaluation’s key judgements states that “the essential ecosystems that help main international meals manufacturing areas, and that influence international local weather, water, and climate cycles are a very powerful for UK nationwide safety.”
Shift in funding
Roby defined that the FCDO is transitioning from support and repair supply to an investment-based and techniques pondering growth mannequin on this altering panorama, as are different international funding establishments just like the World Financial institution.
He additionally invited senior leaders with an curiosity in water to have interaction with the federal government on the chance to enterprise if water safety isn’t prioritised. This place was echoed by Tom Arnot, founding father of the Water innovation & Analysis Consortium on the College of Tub.
Chairing a panel that included water innovation cluster teams from Denmark, Spain, and the Netherlands, he stated that heavy water utilizing firms wanted to place water “entrance and centre of board decision-making”, as water insecurity was already a basic menace to business-as-usual. He too urged firms to look to uncommon sources of funding, like defence and resilience budgets.
Worldwide collaboration
Because the main UK membership physique representing provide chain companies working within the water sector globally, British Water performs a pivotal half in bringing stakeholders collectively. The annual Worldwide Discussion board and Worldwide Reception present a framework of collaboration to foster innovation, enterprise growth, and connections, serving to UK suppliers discover international companions and funding alternatives.
Three Memorandums of Motion (MoAs) had been signed by British Water on the Worldwide Discussion board and Reception. The partnerships with Catalan Water Partnership, the Commonwealth Enterprise & Funding Council (CWIEC) and the Aquatech commerce occasions platform present alternatives for the affiliation’s members via key organisations that may assist meet water sector challenges via international collaboration
Beverley Ferrara, British Water enterprise growth lead for Europe and the Commonwealth, stated, “International Water Intelligence estimates the water and wastewater market is valued at over US$800 billion yearly and the OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development] estimates that international water infrastructure will run into the trillions of {dollars} within the coming a long time. So, for British Water members, rising exterior the UK could be very enticing and infrequently it isn’t functionality that’s the barrier however entry.
“For UK water sector companies to have interaction and be a part of these worldwide partnership alliances and cluster teams via British Water MoAs opens doorways to discovering market penetration and entry alternatives, funding frameworks, launching pilots, and supporting development ambitions.”
Reflecting on the day, Lila Thompson, chief government of British Water stated, “I’m delighted that British Water has introduced so many individuals collectively for one more extremely profitable Worldwide Discussion board and Reception, supported by the World Water-Tech Innovation Summit.
“This can be a essential time for our members in figuring out new funding alternatives, higher methods of working, and productive collaborations and partnerships with firms and organisations globally. The brand new MoAs with the Catalan Water Partnership, Aquatech and CWIEC will open doorways for our members to prosper and develop – unlocking industrial alternatives and increasing challenge portfolios.”
