Welcoming the Launch of SDG 6.3.2 Progress Report

The uPcycle Team welcome the release of the report ‘Mid-term status of SDG Indicator 6.3.2 and acceleration needs, with a special focus on Health’, co-authored by one of our Steering Committee Members, Stuart Warner, UNEP, and colleagues.

To address significant data gaps reported, the authors propose that all countries create a National Road Map for Water Quality Improvement aligned with a review of SDG 6.3.2 implementation. 

The report outlines that:

“By 2030, the health and livelihoods of 4.8 billion people could be at risk if current water quality monitoring is not improved. Action is needed on water quality and its assessment by regular monitoring. However, data collection and reporting on basic water quality parameters is beyond the capacity of many low-and lower middle-income countries.”

The report stresses that the situation for lakes requires urgent attention:

“Considering the vital importance of these water body types [lake and groundwater] for the provision of ecosystem services and climate mitigation, their value needs to be recognized through improved monitoring, assessment and management.”

The report concludes:

“Where we have good data, this indicator shows that water quality is degrading. Where data are limited, we simply do not know – but the signs are not promising.”

The uPcycle project supported the review of the report and we will continue to work with GEMS/Water on joint initiatives in Capacity Development and Awareness Raising through our work in Components 2 and 4.