Bali Water Protection in SIWW 2022 – 3 Key Takeaways

Bali Water Protection (BWP) attended Singapore International Water Week 2022 (17-21 April), Asia’s first large-scale water show since the pandemic. Along with the co-located event CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESG) 2022, the events attracted over 15,000 physical attendees comprising leaders in government, industry, and academia from around the world.

Bali Water Protection attended Singapore International Water Week 2022 Opening Plenary (Photo: Marsha Himawan)

Bali Water Protection (BWP) attended Singapore International Water Week 2022 (17-21 April), Asia’s first large-scale water show since the pandemic. Along with the co-located event CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESG) 2022, the events attracted over 15,000 physical attendees comprising leaders in government, industry, and academia from around the world.

The backdrop of Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) 2022 is the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) and recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, which urges immediate action to tackle climate change. Hence, the programmes at SIWW and CESG were designed to spur synergistic exchange and the co-creation of mitigation and adaptation solutions that would strengthen climate resilience in Singapore and beyond, push new sustainability frontiers, and open the door to potential environmental business opportunities.

BWP joined in Hot Issue Workshop “Reduction, Reuse and Recycling of Domestic Water – Benefits, Health Risks, and Consumer’s Inclusivity”. (Photo: Marsha Himawan)

We were very happy to attend in person and we were busy with:

• Participating in a two-hour workshop, “Reduction, Reuse and Recycling of Domestic Water – Benefits, Health Risks, and Consumer’s Inclusivity”, with experts from across the environmental sector, representatives of Singapore, Australia, and San Francisco.
• Taking part in technical sessions about “Water Delivery from Source to Tap (Network)”, “Water Quality and Health”, and “Nexus and Circularity”.
• Joining the Water Expo and Environment Expo which are featuring a total of more than 300 local and international exhibitors.

There were many insightful conversations, people, and topics that everyone could attend to. Below are our 3 key takeaways from the event.

BWP took part in Thematic Forums "Strengthening Security for a Water Optimized World: Highlight on City Water". (Photo: Marsha Himawan)

Singapore continues to stay on top of IPCC AR6 reports

Singapore Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, spoke knowledgeably and realistically about water, its intersection with climate change, and the challenges ahead, drawing key points from IPCC AR6 reports. This is shown through many actions and initiatives Singapore is doing from waste reduction to recycling, solar farm, as well as issuing green bonds for green infrastructure projects. Minister Fu also resounded 3 calls to action – 1) innovation, 2) more adaptation finance, and 3) international collaboration.

Digitalization and adaptation finance are here to stay

There were exciting discussions about the developments of net-zero energy/carbon goals, the digitalization of water management, and how digital twins can take part in building water resilience. However, there are challenges and opportunities that require water to cross-pollinate with other sectors.

Finance is one of the sectors that water needs to work together with, although we need to be smart about it to prevent wasting money or maladaptation. The least we want is adaptation interventions generating unexpected environmental or social consequences.

We need to be very clear on the fact that there are limits to adaptation as Dr. Debra Roberts, IPCC Co-Chair Working Group II, said, “Even at the current levels of warming, even with the best levels of adaptation, we cannot avoid losses and damages so that is something we need to prepare for. And certainly, as we go higher in terms of global warming levels adaptation options begin to fall off the table, particularly those linked to nature-based solutions because at the higher temperatures ecosystems simply can’t do what they need to do.”

We need change everywhere

Urgent action is required to mitigate and adapt to climate change as Minister Fu said, “Going forward climate action requires change on a massive massive scale and this change has to be led and the leadership is not just political leaders. It has to come from all levels… this is a massive change exercise the world needs to undertake and the world needs everyone to step up in your capacity.”

            In Bali Water Protection (BWP) we’re continuing our effort to restore groundwater and stop sea-water intrusion by installing 56/136 recharge wells (rain harvested wells) across all 9 regencies in Bali. We also hand in hand with supplementary subprograms building community resilience through education about water and environment management in 108/133 elementary schools and the public.

Resonating with the overarching message from leaders during the SIWW 2022 – we need change everywhere, it’s time we each do our part to build a climate-resilient future for us and future generations to come.

Be a part of the change, join our cause right here! (MH)