The new UK Water Partnership is launched

3 March, 2015

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has announced its support for the newly launched UK Water Partnership.

This new partnership, launched on 26 February, represents the first time that public and private sector organisations from the water industry have joined forces to promote the UK’s expertise around the world.

Water is crucial to our lives in so many ways – it is part of a complex network which governs the way we live – but growing populations are putting a strain on resources. We need to work together to build reliable and sustainable water supplies around the world, to help tackle global challenges.

The UK Water Partnership will be the key to unlocking a $500bn global water market and tackling water security issues though a strategic approach to research, innovation and global clients.

The partnership will be structured around three areas:

  1. Research and innovation
  2. Development and implementation
  3. Commercialisation and economic growth

“This new partnership offers a huge opportunity for all sectors of the UK water industry,” said the minister responsible for water at Defra, Dan Rogerson. “By developing new technologies and driving knowledge and skills, we will be better placed than ever to respond to global challenges.”

Other organisations that have expressed support include Research Councils UK (led by NERC), Defra, Innovate UK, the UK Water Research & Innovation Partnership (UKWRIP), the UK Trade & Industry, the Met Office and British Water.

Back in 2011 UKCDS collaborated on a mapping study to assess the UK’s potential contribution to UK and global water security. We also wrote a report on the links between water security, risk and society, and the research priorities for international development. See both below.

Find out more about the UK Water Partnership or NERC’s announcement of support.

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