The Water Risk and Stewardship Dashboard leverages the latest data from the WRI Aqueduct platform to provide a comprehensive view of global water risks in 2025. As water scarcity and stress intensify due to climate change, population growth, and rising demand, understanding these risks is essential for investors, companies, and policymakers seeking to ensure sustainable growth and resource security.
The dashboard is structured around two core dimensions of water risk:
- Regional water stress: Maps the percentage of renewable water supply withdrawn annually across major regions. This indicator highlights where water demand is outpacing supply, exposing economies and communities to acute scarcity and operational risks.
- Corporate water stewardship: Benchmarks the share of major companies in high-risk sectors that have implemented robust water management programs. This dimension reflects the private sector’s readiness to mitigate water-related risks and support long-term resilience.
The Middle East & North Africa and South Asia face extreme water stress, with over 80% of available water withdrawn each year-leaving them highly vulnerable to even short-term droughts or supply shocks. Europe and North America experience moderate stress, but with notable local hotspots, while Sub-Saharan Africa, though lower on average, remains exposed to drought and infrastructure challenges.
Less than half of major companies in critical sectors have adopted comprehensive water stewardship, with food, textiles, and mining lagging behind best practice. This gap underscores the need for accelerated corporate action and enhanced disclosure to manage water risk exposure.