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The 2025 UNESCO World Water Development Report sounds a clear alarm: the rapid melting of glaciers represents a concrete threat to the water security of billions of people worldwide.
The fundamental role of mountain glaciers
The report highlights how mountain regions, covering about 30% of the Earth's land surface, provide up to 60% of global freshwater. However, rising temperatures are accelerating glacier melt, reducing their capacity to feed rivers and water basins.
In particular, the Alps – often called the “water tower of Europe” – risk experiencing in the future:
- a 45% reduction in glacial runoff: water generated exclusively by glacier melt, which feeds streams and rivers downstream; it is the “liquid reserve” stored in the ice.
- a 35% decrease in total runoff: the total volume of water leaving the basin (glacial runoff + direct rainfall + snowmelt + groundwater drainage).
These dynamics will also have direct consequences on agriculture, hydroelectric production, drinking water resources, and tourism, with a significant impact on the security and socio-economic balance of the affected areas.
What are Nature-based Solutions
Faced with this growing threat, the UNESCO Report proposes a systemic and integrated approach based on Nature-based Solutions (NBS), i.e., strategies that leverage natural processes to protect, regenerate, and manage water resources.
NBS include:
- the restoration of mountain wetlands and natural riverbanks;
- strategic reforestation interventions for the protection of watersheds;
- solutions for the controlled recharge of aquifers;
- sustainable management of mountain ecosystems.
Such practices are effective not only in environmental terms but also economically, promoting climate resilience and efficient resource use.
Accadueo 2025: Technologies, Innovation, and Governance for the Water Sector
In an increasingly climate crisis-marked global context, the issue highlighted by the UNESCO Report will be discussed at Accadueo 2025, scheduled at BolognaFiere from October 7 to 9.
The 18th edition of Accadueo will represent a strategic hub for discussion among institutions, companies, research centers, and managers of the integrated water cycle. Among the topics:
- advanced water treatment;
- monitoring of water networks through IoT solutions;
- Artificial Intelligence-based systems for the protection of water resources;
- sustainable management and climate adaptation strategies.
Ample space will also be given to European and national legislation, and new funding instruments with the aim of fostering sustainable and innovative practices.
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Conclusions
The 2025 UNESCO Report reiterates the urgency of coordinated and multidisciplinary action to address the challenges related to water management. Accadueo 2025 aims to be a reference platform for building a technical and strategic response, oriented towards sustainable innovation, the digitalization of processes, and the valorization of natural resources.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNESCO REPORT
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- UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (2025). United Nations World Water Development Report 2025 – Water for Prosperity and Peace. unesdoc.unesco.org
