Perhaps even more than oil, it’s the future of water that’s on the minds of governments, scientists and business leaders all across the Middle East. The sustainable production, storage and delivery of water is one of the biggest challenges facing the region today – current analysis suggests that if things stay the same, by 2050 water scarcity will cause the MENA region economic losses that represent 14% of its entire GDP.
Fortunately, when it comes to the Middle East’s biggest water-consuming sectors, things certainly aren’t ‘business as usual’. Long-term water sustainability strategies have been prompting significant changes in attitudes and operational practices in the following industries, changes that are accelerating in pace thanks to the emergence of advanced technologies that provide better, less wasteful ways to live and work.
As the region continues to battle to achieve viable water security and sustainability, the following key sectors have become focal points for new thinking and, crucially, new investment.