Providing solutions to water challenges in big cities
The world’s major urban areas face severe water-related challenges today and exponentially in the foreseeable future. Vulnerable communities disproportionately feel the effects. With a focus on the intersection of water and climate change, we will provide scalable solutions to water challenges in the world’s major urban areas, particularly in the developing world.

In the current state of climate crisis, cities face significant and increasing climate risks. The majority of these are due to changes in both our global and local water cycles. Whether it is too much water in the form of floods due to sea level rises, extreme precipitation and storms, or not enough water resulting in water shortages and droughts, no city in the world is immune to these climatic changes.

Woman with child walking the flooded streets of Jakarta

Woman with child walking the flooded streets of Jakarta. Photo: Kompas – Hendra A Setyawan – World Meteorological Organization

So far, the Foundation has

The C40 secretariat will deliver the project with input from relevant C40 cities that have experienced different water-related issues. The research will draw on expert advisors in the form of international organizations and private actors.

All cities worldwide that are vulnerable to water-related climate changes will be able to benefit from the research and solutions developed.

4.7 billion

According to World Bank data, 58 % of the world’s population (4.7 billion people) live in urban areas, and currently growing by 1.7 % annually (2024)

96 cities

The 96 C40 cities represent 25 % of the global economy.

Clean water

In collaboration with our partners, the Foundation provides access to clean water to the world's poorest.

Kenya Refugee Alliance

Partner

UNHCR, PlanBørnefonden

Disaster
response

Partner

Oxfam GB, Water Mission, Practical Action, UNICEF Denmark, DRC Danish Refugee Council, UNHCR

Project Flow

Partner

UNHCR

100 pumps for 100 villages

Partner

Sunlit Future

Water in Communications

Partner

SIWI

Water2Nepal

Partner

Jysk Landsbyudvikling i Nepal, Oxfam GB

Water for Kigoma Region

Partner

UNICEF Denmark

Water and sanitation for Gambella (SunWASH)

Partner

PlanBørnefonden, Water Mission

Low Cost Sanitation and Water Model in Pakistan

Partner

Orangi Pilot Project Research and Training Institute

Host communities in Western Tanzania

Partner

Water Mission

Water for pastoralist communities in Turkana

Partner

Practical Action

Southeast Asia Clean Water Initiative

Partner

Water Mission

Combating arsenic poisoning in Nepal

Partner

Oxfam GB

Kenya 23 – next level

Partner

Water Mission

Safe water and sanitation in Togo

Partner

PlanBørnefonden

Safe Water for Northern Burundi (closed)

Partner

Kirkens Nødhjelp (Norwegian Church Aid)

Safe water to Malawi (closed)

Partner

Practical Action

Nyarugusu Refugee Camp

Partner

Water Mission