Text Mohammad (Moh) Sherafatmand, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hydroleap
At a time when environmental issues are at the forefront of global discussions, Southeast Asia stands at a pivotal crossroads. !e COP28 summit in the United Arab Emirates, one of the most water-stressed regions in the world, has brought the decarbonisation of the wastewater treatment industry into sharp focus. Despite common perceptions, Southeast Asia’s water resources are far from inexhaustible. !e region faces significant gaps in hitting watercentric Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the Asian Development Bank, roughly 500 million individuals across Southeast Asia grapple with limited access to clean water, and over 1.1 billion have insufficient sanitation. Access to water is further complicated by concerns surrounding water security, driven by rapid urban growth and an expanding population. Predictions suggest an increase in water demand, putting existing water infrastructure under pressure. On the one hand, nations are thriving for more growth, which ultimately brings a higher standard of living, but on the other, this comes at a cost depleting their water resources. Higher growth means higher industrialisation, which in turn equates to higher water usage. !is reinforces the necessity for innovative solutions that can manage the region’s water resources effectively. With every passing year, these challenges become more pronounced, highlighting the urgency for forward-looking and creative responses.
THE RISE OF AQUATECH AND AQUAPRENEURS
In response to global efforts to combat climate change, the role of “aquatech” is becoming more prominent. According to a 2023 analysis by McKinsey, as much as 90 percent of necessary greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions could be realised by technologies already at our disposal. To hold the global temperature increase to 1.5°C, these technologies need widespread adoption ahead of the 2030 benchmark. At COP28, Deputy Director of Partnerships Marcin ‘cigan spoke of the imperative to nurture innovation through startups, which are currently underrepresented in climate tech investment, particularly within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. !e establishment of initiatives like the GBB100 green business accelerator programme, a collaborative effort between COP28 and McKinsey, is geared to support the growth of green-tech startups.
An uptick in funding for climate tech is propelling a generation of “aquapreneurs”, who lead in developing sustainable water management solutions. Their initiatives are key in reshaping our approach to water sustainability and play a pivotal role in global efforts to mitigate climate change impacts and conserve water resources. Additionally, aquapreneurs are the drivers of private industries. Their involvement in the development of advanced water treatments and sustainable business methods can significantly shift the paradigm of water resource management.
FOSTERING COLLECTIVE EFFORT THROUGH REGIONAL AND GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS
!e importance of collaboration across industries in advancing a sustainable wastewater industry was a theme repeatedly highlighted at the United Nations Water Conference 2023 and COP28. Singapore’s Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam stressed the intrinsic value of water as a resource that requires collective stewardship. He suggested that wealthier nations view investments in international water cooperation as strategic rather than altruistic, highlighting the interconnected nature of water systems worldwide. Meanwhile, Saamir Elshihabi, Principal Lead, Energy Transition, COP28 pointed out the necessity for a multidimensional conversation on climate “nance, emphasising the importance of including various stakeholders to shape a climate-conscious economy. Southeast Asian countries are coping with unique water management issues, such as water scarcity, pollution, and the impact of climate change. !e consequences of these water challenges could influence migration patterns, complicate food and energy stability, and heighten gender disparities in the region. !ese issues require both localised and global initiatives. !e contribution of a more-developed water landscape such as Singapore is fundamental. !e country has been championing their water security by supplying up to 40 percent of its water demand through recycled water. Beyond “nancial resources, being the leading hub for innovation and technology, Singapore’s expertise can enhance the wastewater management capacity of developing regions, fostering water security in the region. Multilateral platforms similar to the United Nations’ summit enable countries and industries to share insights, embrace global best practices, and partake in creating universal strategies for water sustainability. !is lays the groundwork for constructive dialogue and collective action on waterrelated issues, allowing countries to face shared
challenges and design regionally tailored solutions. In addition to governmental and international bodies, the active participation of private industries is crucial in steering sustainability discussions.
