Bridging Borders: The Role of Climate-Resilient Sanitation in Global Peace and Sustainability

As SIWI World Water Week 2024 kicks off in Stockholm this week, we are reminded of the profound importance of water and sanitation cooperation in fostering peace and security across the globe. This year's theme, "Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future," reminds us of the intricate interconnections between and across communities and nations, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to secure a better future for all. Ensuring that sanitation systems are robust and adaptable to climate challenges is not only essential for safeguarding public health but also for promoting regional stability and sustainable development. The Climate Resilient Sanitation Coalition (CRSC), made up of 35 leading organizations working at this intersection, recognizes how climate-resilient sanitation (CRS) plays a significant role in building a peaceful, secure, and sustainable future.

As climate change intensifies, it leads to increasing extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and shifting precipitation patterns. As a result, traditional sanitation infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable to damage, disruption, and contamination. This makes it essential to develop and implement sanitation systems that not only endure these challenges but also contribute to climate mitigation efforts. CRS approaches are systems and practices designed to ensure safe and effective sanitation services that can withstand and adapt to the impacts of climate change. These approaches are vital for protecting public health, preserving environmental quality, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Sanitation is closely linked to dignity and peace, as inadequate facilities can fuel conflict by intensifying competition for resources and triggering public health crises. For example, in India, water contamination from poor sanitation has led to tensions and disputes between communities over access to clean water. Similarly, in refugee camps, like those in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, inadequate sanitation has caused disease outbreaks, worsening living conditions and heightening tensions among displaced populations. Poor sanitation also undermines dignity, contributing to instability, as seen in several parts of the world where women face risks of violence when accessing unsafe sanitation facilities. Conversely, proper sanitation promotes health, dignity, and social and environmental stability, reducing the risk of conflict and fostering peaceful coexistence.

Climate-resilient sanitation offers significant benefits for peacebuilding by reducing resource-based conflicts, stabilizing communities through improved public health, and empowering marginalized groups. By ensuring that sanitation infrastructure can withstand climate impacts, we reduce the strain on water resources, thereby minimizing competition and potential conflicts over clean water access, especially in regions prone to droughts or flooding. Improved public health resulting from resilient sanitation systems fosters community stability by preventing disease outbreaks and reducing the burden on healthcare systems, which can otherwise lead to social unrest. Additionally, providing access to reliable sanitation empowers systemically marginalized groups, particularly women and children, by enhancing their safety, dignity, and participation in community life, ultimately contributing to a more peaceful and inclusive society. Such approaches highlight the importance of broader systems thinking in CRS, where interconnected solutions address not just immediate needs but also long-term sustainability and inclusion.

CRS interventions play a demonstrably vital role in promoting peace. iDE Global, a member of the CRSC, led the implementation of the Sky Latrine intervention in Cambodia to assist vulnerable communities around Tonle Sap Lake, who were severely affected by seasonal flooding. By providing elevated latrines as a safe and sustainable solution, the intervention not only enhanced public health, but also has reduced the risks of physical and sexual violence, especially for women and children who do not have to leave the house alone at night to defecate, also reducing the stigma and shame associated with not having access to a latrine. Another example can be found in Bangladesh, where flood-resistant toilets have been installed in flood-prone areas, significantly reducing water- and excreta-related diseases and easing tensions in resource-scarce environments. These examples highlight the importance of tailored, context-specific solutions that address both environmental challenges and social vulnerabilities. The lessons learned—such as the value of community involvement, the need for adaptable designs, the need for systems approaches, and the focus on centering equity—can be applied elsewhere to build peace through resilient sanitation infrastructure in similarly vulnerable regions.

As climate change threatens global stability, stakeholders—governments, NGOs, funders and communities—must prioritize integrating sanitation into global and national climate policies. By supporting national governments with tools, evidence, and expertise, we can promote the embedding of climate-resilient sanitation into government strategies and plans. Additionally, increasing the prominence of sanitation in climate discussions through active dissemination of evidence and real-world experiences is crucial. Attracting finance to this sector will further strengthen its role in stabilizing communities and reducing conflict. Building a robust evidence base will solidify the case for resilient sanitation as a cornerstone of global peacebuilding and sustainability.

Now is the time to act, ensuring that sanitation becomes integral to our vision for a peaceful, sustainable future.