A report from the UN Environment Programme looks at wastewater, the dirty water from homes and factories. The 2023 study says wastewater creates almost as many planet-warming gases as the aviation industry. Large amounts of it still flow into rivers and seas without any treatment. This harms nature and puts human health at risk. However, the report argues that this problem could become a valuable resource.
With the right policies, treated wastewater could give half a billion people a new source of energy. It could also supply over ten times the water that desalination plants produce today. In addition, it could replace more than ten per cent of the fertilizer used on farms worldwide. The authors call on decision makers to act. They describe key steps to turn wasted water into value.