WC136 MayJune 2024 - Magazine - Page 36
H2OPINION
The convergence of water and energy:
Charting a path post-COP28
Charting a sustainable path forward requires synergy
between water and energy.
BY DON HOLLAND
I
Energy dynamics: Supply, control, and impact
Energy, governed by the principles of supply and
demand, has historically been dominated by major
players such as Big Oil and OPEC. Energy usage
spans across industries and communities globally.
Yet, despite its universality, it remains controlled by
a minority that wields considerable influence over
global financial and economic landscapes. While its
costs can rise, driving consumers to seek alternatives,
there are limitations to this shift.
Don Holland
BSc. Eng., MBA, P. Eng.) is an engineer with
over 25 years of experience in the water and
environmental fields. As GHD’s Canadian Water
Market Lead, Don is passionate about developing
secure and sustainable relationships with water to
create more resilient communities.
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WATER C AN ADA • M AY/JUNE 2024
Discussions surrounding COP28 have highlighted
the significant influence of the oil and gas industry
on global climate negotiations, and the need to address this influence to ensure that decisions are driven
by the goal of mitigating climate change rather than
by vested interests.
Water: Complex control and localized impact
In stark contrast, water operates outside the
traditional supply-and-demand mechanisms. There
is no equivalent to Big Oil in the water domain.
Instead, it’s a shared resource, used by all but
controlled by few. This is what’s known as a ‘tragedy
of the commons,’ where individuals with access
to water act in their own interest, regardless of the
negative impact their actions have on others. Its
impact is predominantly local, yet its economic
ramifications are vast, stemming from the concept of
virtual water embedded within goods manufactured
with substantial water use. Additionally, water is
considered a fundamental human right, rendering its
equitable access a moral imperative without feasible
alternatives.
Water is needed for virtually everything – housing, food, energy, industry, employment, economic
growth and beyond. But these needs often supersede
the needs of the environment, biodiversity, and
communities in the socio-economic periphery. When
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
Getty Images
N THE WAKE of COP28, the discussion surrounding the intersection of water and energy has
evolved from a mere nexus point to a profound
convergence. No longer just an intersection, this
convergence means they are becoming more akin
to each other than ever before. Understanding this
convergence requires a deep dive into the characteristics, control, and impacts of both energy and water,
and exploring how they intersect in global forums
like COP28.
