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The document highlights the overlooked role of sanitation systems in climate mitigation and adaptation, noting that the sector is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions while offering opportunities for resource recovery and resilience. It calls for the development of planning frameworks to bridge the gap between sanitation services and global climate policy and financing.

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is seeking funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to prepare a national Water Reuse Programme (WRP) in South Africa. The country faces a projected 17% water deficit by 2030, exacerbated by climate change. The proposed WRP consists of two main components: the establishment of a national water reuse programme office to support municipalities in project preparation and the creation of a blended finance solution using project bonds to establish water reuse as a new asset class. The project preparation phase will include technical and climate impact assessments, the design of financial architecture, and gender and social studies. The total indicative cost for the full programme is estimated between USD 3 billion and 5 billion, with a request for USD 153.4 million in GCF funding.

The BONUS RETURN decision-support toolbox offers 16 tools to help decision-makers transition to a circular economy by adopting eco-technologies for nutrient and carbon recovery. It covers the entire innovation lifecycle, from identifying criteria through social innovation and multi-criteria analysis to promoting existing technologies via sustainable and circular public procurement. The guide also details methods for supporting pre-commercial innovation, such as innovation competitions, market surveys, independent comparative analyses, and testbed trials. It concludes by framing these tools within a Technological Innovation Systems (TIS) approach to create long-term strategic incentives and co-benefits for the Baltic Sea Region.

The Słupsk Bioenergy Cluster, managed by Słupsk Waterworks, integrates wastewater treatment, biogas generation, and waste recycling to provide stable, low-cost renewable energy to local businesses and facilities. By utilizing a self-sufficient distribution network to bypass coal-based energy suppliers, the cluster demonstrates a decentralized approach to the circular economy. Key outputs include the BIOTOP phosphorus-rich fertilizer and a renewable energy sharing system linking 20 businesses and city facilities. The document argues that national policy changes and faster implementation of EU directives are necessary to scale such models and overcome barriers posed by traditional energy companies.

The document examines two policy options recommended by a 2018 Swedish Government inquiry: a total ban on sewage sludge reuse or a limited ban allowing application only if strict quality standards are met. It highlights that while both aim to reduce environmental risks and improve phosphorus recycling, a total ban would render existing investments in certification programs like REVAQ obsolete and necessitate costly transitions to incineration and ash-based phosphorus recovery. Using Uppsala as an example, the brief argues that a limited ban is preferable as it protects upstream pollution reduction efforts and preserves the value of organic matter in sludge.

The document examines a 2020 Swedish government inquiry into sewage sludge management, which weighed a complete ban on agricultural reuse against continued use under stricter quality requirements. While the inquiry focused on recovering phosphorus, the authors argue that this narrow focus ignores the significant potential for recovering nitrogen and potassium, which could reduce Sweden's dependence on imported fertilizers and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The brief highlights the role of the REVAQ certification programme in controlling contaminants and discusses alternatives such as incineration with ash-based phosphorus recovery and source-separation of blackwater and urine.

The document criticizes the EPA's August 31, 2020, final rule that weakened the 2015 effluent limitation guidelines (ELGs) for coal-fired power plants. It asserts that the rollback allows utilities to avoid investing in modern wastewater treatment technologies, thereby increasing the volume of toxic pollutants entering U.S. waters. The text highlights specific loopholes for plants planning retirement by 2028 and those with limited operating hours, and notes that the 2015 rule was originally intended to prevent 1.4 billion pounds of pollutants annually.

The document argues that on-site wastewater treatment is a key intervention to mitigate South Africa's projected 30% water supply deficit by 2030. It details the processes for treating organic wastewater (greywater and blackwater) to non-potable standards for uses such as toilet flushing and irrigation. The brief outlines three technology variants—tank assemblies, pre-fabricated systems, and brick-and-mortar constructions—while highlighting operational risks like bacterial die-off due to variable loading. It also maps the regulatory landscape, including the National Water Act (1998) and SANS 30500:2019, and provides case studies from the Western Cape demonstrating cost savings and regulatory compliance.

The report advocates for a paradigm shift in sanitation and wastewater management, moving from a focus on waste disposal to one of resource recovery. It details how recovering water, nutrients, and energy from waste streams can improve public health, food security, and climate mitigation while creating economic opportunities. The document provides technical guidance on system design, risk management for human and environmental health, and the institutional and financial frameworks necessary to implement sustainable, context-specific sanitation systems.

The report evaluates the economic viability of various eco-technologies in the Fyrisån (Sweden), Słupia (Poland), and Vantaanjoki (Finland) river basins using a combined Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) and Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) approach. It finds that most technologies currently yield a negative net present value (NPV) due to high investment costs, with the notable exceptions of anaerobic digestion and thermal treatment in the Vantaanjoki basin.

The report evaluates two ecotechnologies for nutrient recovery from anaerobic digestate: struvite precipitation and ammonia stripping. Findings indicate that struvite precipitation is highly effective, particularly around pH 9.5 and with a magnesium-to-limiting-reactant ratio up to 4:1. Struvite is found to be a suitable phosphorus fertiliser for various crops, often yielding results comparable to mineral fertilisers. Ammonia stripping is also identified as effective, though the evidence base is too heterogeneous for quantitative synthesis. The review highlights a need for more field-scale and long-term validation of these technologies, especially within the Baltic Sea Region.

The document evaluates the water security of the Rocha River basin, identifying critical deficits in urban and agricultural supply and poor water quality. Using the Water Evaluation And Planning (WEAP) system, it tests several strategies—including the Misicuni Multiple Project, new water transfers, wastewater treatment, and irrigation efficiency—finding that only integrated, combined strategies can guarantee water supply through 2050.

The report evaluates the environmental performance and transparency of 91 clothing brands and several major viscose producers. It finds that while some European brands and producers like Lenzing and Aditya Birla Group are moving toward EU Best Available Techniques (BAT) standards, many others—particularly US brands and the Chinese viscose industry—remain laggards. The document argues that voluntary initiatives are insufficient and calls for mandatory government regulation to ensure a sector-wide transition to closed-loop production.

The document argues that explicit consideration of the water cycle is essential for effective climate change mitigation and adaptation. It outlines a six-step process for integrating water into NDCs, including establishing institutional arrangements, assessing priorities, and aligning with finance processes. The guide emphasizes that effective water management can improve water security, lower emissions, and support carbon sequestration through actions such as managing the water-energy nexus and preserving wetlands.

Attend Ambiental issued a BRL55m (USD13m) green bond on 09-10-2019 with a maturity date of 15-10-2026. The bond is designated as the first Brazilian green bond to exclusively finance water and waste projects, specifically targeting the refinancing of industrial waste treatment facilities in Barueri, Sao Paulo. The proceeds cover a loan from US Bank and Corporación Interamericana para el Financiamiento de Infraestructura (CIFI) used for plant construction, extension, and investments in four pre-treatment lines. The issuer, a partnership between Sabesp and Estre, commits to annual reporting on the allocation of proceeds and impacts via its website and Sustainability Report.

RMI collaborated with the Lodha Group to implement a net-zero energy (NZE) district framework for Palava City, a greenfield development near Mumbai. The approach integrates energy, mobility, and water management to reduce carbon emissions and improve quality of life. Key strategies include improving building envelopes, maximizing on-site solar generation, prioritizing non-motorized transport, and treating 100% of wastewater for on-site reuse. The project serves as a model for sustainable urban development in emerging markets.

The report finds that Atha-Africa Ventures' financial provisions for the Yzermyn coal mine are incomplete and significantly underestimated. GCS Water and Environment identifies critical omissions, including costs for wetland rehabilitation, wetland offsetting, and the construction and operation of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to manage post-closure decant. GCS estimates that the 2020 financial provision provided by Atha-Africa is less than one-quarter of the realistic costs required. The report emphasizes that the mine's location within the Mabola Protected Area and its impact on sensitive headwater wetlands necessitate a full-scale revision of closure and water management costs to ensure long-term environmental protection.

The SAVi assessment evaluates four restoration scenarios for South-West Beira Lake in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It finds that upgrading wastewater treatment facilities is the most cost-effective intervention, as it addresses nutrient inflow and eutrophication. The most significant economic gains are achieved by combining wastewater upgrades with dredging, which is projected to increase surrounding property values by USD 43 million and recreational spending by USD 19.5 million between 2020 and 2025.

The report evaluates four scenarios for the restoration of South-West Beira Lake in Colombo: business-as-usual (BAU), wastewater treatment upgrades, dredging of lake deposits, and a combined approach. The analysis finds that while dredging alone provides limited benefits, upgrading wastewater treatment offers the highest benefit-to-cost ratio (39.67). The combined scenario of wastewater treatment and dredging produces the greatest absolute economic gains, increasing property values by over USD 43 million and recreational spending by USD 19.5 million by 2025. The document recommends recognizing the lake as a tangible capital asset to facilitate blended financing solutions involving public authorities and private investors.

The Master Plan for the Rocha River Basin addresses critical water scarcity, pollution, and ecosystem degradation in the Cochabamba Department of Bolivia. It outlines five strategic lines—water management, sustainable basin management, institutional strengthening, knowledge management, and water culture—to improve water security and resilience. Key goals by 2040 include increasing safe water access to 834,049 people and reducing the total water deficit by 227 hm3, while mitigating risks from climate-induced precipitation changes and temperature increases.