SDG Target

• By 2030, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes

Context

The degradation of aquatic ecosystems and natural resources within a catchment impacts biodiversity, hydrological flow, environmental water requirements, water quality, and the ability to use natural resources. Source water protection is often considered among the most cost-effective options to restore aquatic systems. Reducing water stress on the aquatic systems, protecting source water areas, evaluating land use development plans, supporting better forest management, rehabilitating affected ecosystems to boost biodiversity and water resources functioning, and implementing payment of ecosystem services to support upstream conservation.