Water crisis threatens global food supply within 25 years, report warns

A rapidly worsening global water crisis could destabilise food production systems, threatening more than half of the world’s food supply within 25 years, according to a new report.

The Global Commission on the Economics of Water highlights the strain on water resources driven by climate crisis, over-extraction, and pollution. The report warns that agriculture, highly dependent on diminishing freshwater supplies, faces severe disruption as water shortages escalate.

The Commission calls for “radical changes” in how water is valued, managed, and used. “We must properly value water, recognizing its role as Earth’s most precious resource, including the importance of green water.”

The report emphasises the need for a holistic approach to water management, considering the full hydrological cycle and its impact on communities, economies, ecosystems, and food security. Properly valuing water is essential, as it serves many roles, including sustaining agriculture.

The report warns that key agricultural regions responsible for feeding billions are particularly vulnerable to water shortages, which could severely disrupt food production.

“To effectively tackle the water crises, we need to consider the full implications of the hydrological cycle, that has consequences for communities and economies around the world and all the earth’s ecosystems, affecting our collective ability to achieve local, national and global agendas in relation to dignified lives, food security, sustainable development, and more,” it added.

Global demand for freshwater

The global water crisis is worsening, with rivers drying up, groundwater levels dropping, and unpredictable weather patterns threatening access to clean water.

The Global Commission on the Economics of Water predicts that the situation will deteriorate further in the coming decades, posing a serious threat to the global food supply.

By the end of the decade, the report reveals, global demand for freshwater is expected to outstrip supply by 40%, putting unprecedented pressure on water systems.

The commission also points out that governments and experts have drastically underestimated the amount of water needed to support human life.

While 50 to 100 litres per person per day may suffice for basic health and hygiene, about 4,000 litres per day are required when factoring in the water needed for food production and a dignified living.

In many regions, local resources cannot meet this enormous demand, forcing dependence on trade—in food, clothing, and consumer goods—to meet water needs.

Most vulnerable regions

Several regions critical to global food production, including parts of South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, are among the hardest hit by water shortages.

These areas are major producers of staple crops such as wheat, rice, and maize, which millions of people depend on for sustenance. Without proper water management and intervention, the report suggests, these regions could face catastrophic declines in agricultural output.

“The global crisis of water hurts the most vulnerable first, and hardest. More than 1,000 “The global crisis of water hurts the most vulnerable first, and hardest. More than 1,000 children under five die every day from unsafe water and lack of sanitation. Yet no community or economy will be spared the consequences of a water cycle that is out of kilter - itself the result of our collective actions over decades,” warns the report.

“Most dangerously, we will fail on climate change if we fail on water… We are convinced that the world can turn the tide on this crisis. But only if we acknowledge why existing approaches have failed, embrace a fresh policy lens, and move with the boldness and urgency that the crisis demands,” says the report.

Catastrophic consequences

As food production faces increasing risk, the economic and social implications could be severe. With less food available, prices could skyrocket, leading to inflation and increased hunger, particularly in already vulnerable regions.

The crisis also threatens to disrupt global trade, putting additional pressure on economies dependent on agricultural exports.

The report calls for immediate, coordinated action to address the water crisis, recommending a series of solutions aimed at improving water efficiency in agriculture.