a hand
Spring flower in bloom. © Erika Nortemann/TNC

2021
The role of sanitation regulatory agencies and service providers in spring conservation for water security.
This document discusses the conceptual and legal aspects of the role of the sanitation sector in spring protection. Designed under the Brazilian legal framework, its purpose is to serve as a benchmark for other countries willing to promote the sanitation sector leadership to protect their source waters.

2021
Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EBA) and Water Funds Guide
This document seeks to guide designers and executors of Water Funds in Latin America in order for them to understand Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EBA) approach and implement measures that reduce vulnerability of people to climate events by leveraging ecosystem services and biodiversity, as part of the actions that contribute to the water security of their watersheds


Source Water Protection & Climate Adaptation The Role of Water Funds.
2020

Ecosystem based adaptation, implemented through water funds, can help build more resilient communities and cities in the face of climate change 

A Guide to Monitoring and EvaluatingWater Funds
2019

This guides exposes how to sustain an  existing water funds, how  to encourage new ones and the need of  implementating a monitoring and impact evaluations. Implementation monitoring maximizesthe chanceof a water fund being successful because it allows for adaptive management, and an impact evaluationgeneratesevidence of benefits to people and nature and highlights what works.

New knowledge resource: A Guide to Monitoring and Evaluating Water Funds
2019
TNC recently developed a new guidance doc to support water fund project managers and field staff. Available in EnglishSpanish and Portuguese, it provides practical guidance and advice on the design and implementation of monitoring for any water fund. If our "science-based" adage is to be more than marketing speak, then sustainably-funded monitoring needs to be a part of every water fund.

Opportunities to improve urban water security in Latin America with natural infrastructure
2019
This document presents a new methodology for a continental assessment of the potential of watershed conservation activities to improve the quality of surface drinking water and mitigate flood and stormwater flood risks in 70 major cities in Latin America. Public geospatial data was used to analyze 887 associated watersheds.

Natural Infrastructure for Water of the Guandu System, Rio de Janeiro
2018

This report is part of a series of knowledge products of the World Resource Institute
(WRI), in which the WRI Green-Gray Assessment is applied to evaluate new solutions to the challenges of water management in Latin America. In the Rio de Janeiro Report, the study shows that the restoration of 3,000 hectares would result in a 13% return on investment for Rio´s State Water and Sewage Company (CEDAE), generating approximately $39 million in savings for the company over a period of 30 years.

Forest and Water on a Changing Planet: Vulnerability, Adaptation and Governance Opportunities
2018

The current report reflects the importance of integrated action towards ensuring access to water for all and sustaining life on land. The provision of clean water is the most basic ecosystem service necessary for life on earth. Yet, growing demand for water caused by an increasing human population, combined with adverse effects of climate change, are creating unprecedented challenges for sustainable development.

Natural Infrastructure in São Paulo’s Water System
2018

This report is part of a series of informational products of the Institute of World Resources (WRI), in which the WRI Green-Gray Assessment is applied to evaluate new solutions to water management challenges in Latin America. A key concept is that natural infrastructure must be considered a strategy for water management in Brazil, in Latin America, and around the world.

The São Paulo Report shows that the restoration of 4,000 hectares and the maintenance of the original vegetation can reduce soil erosion over a period of 30 years, which would diminish by 36% the displacement of soil, dirt, and sediments in the rivers that supply the Cantareira system, generating a total net savings of approximately $69 million.

A proactive approach to water management in Peru
The Peruvian government has carried out strategic water management actions and ecosystem services that contribute to sustainable development and the creation of ever greater human and institutional capacities.

Variabilidad y Cambio Climático en Guatemala - FUNCAGUA
February 2018
This study presents the conditions related to the subject over time and that could occur in the different climatic regions of the country, so that the information is an essential input for the definition, formulation, planning, and execution of projects for the reduction of vulnerability, of mitigation, and adaptation to the variability and climate change in Guatemala.

Beyond the Source - TNC
2017
Healthy watersheds are vital natural infrastructure for cities around the world as they capture, store, and filter water. They also provide benefits for the conservation of biodiversity, adaptation, and mitigation against climate change and human health and well-being. However, 40% of areas around river watersheds show significant levels of degradation. Protecting and restoring the natural infrastructure of the watersheds can directly improve the quality and amount of water available.

The biodiversity of fish and its conservation in South America
The global demand for food, energy and housing generates unprecedented pressure on our water resources. As this happens, the protection of water sources becomes vital.

Sub-Saharan Africa's Urban Water Blueprint - TNC
2016
This report investigates the status of urban water sources in Sub-Saharan Africa and its potential for watershed protection for the benefit of cities, rural livelihoods and nature. Protecting areas of water production is a brilliant investment opportunity for governments, civil society, and business leaders.

China Urban Water Blueprint - TNC
2016   
China is experiencing the full force of water security challenges. At least one-third of its rivers and lakes are highly polluted for human use, and 73% of the watersheds that supply water to fast-growing cities face high levels of pollution. TNC has dedicated itself to studying the state of water around the world and decided to deepen its work in China given the challenges and the importance of the country for the global economy, the environment, and human development.

Green infrastructure in the drinking water sector in Latin America and the Caribbean: Trends, challenges and opportunities
For many years in Latin America and the Caribbean the solutions to the deterioration or insufficiency of water resources in watersheds, whether due to pollution, waste, natural disasters, growth of cities, among other causes, were investments in construction of gray infrastructure works. However, the trend today is to invest in green infrastructure.

Water Security of the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey and the Pánuco River Basin – TNC
May 2015
This report was prepared by TNC to provide scientific and technical elements that contribute to the decision-making process on the water security of Monterrey and its Metropolitan Area. We considered the specific implications of the Monterrey VI Project, an initiative that marked important guidelines for the water management of Nuevo Leon and the Pánuco River Watershed.

Urban Water Blueprint - TNC 
2014
   
This study examines the state of water in more than 500 cities around the world and reveals that nature has enormous potential to improve water quality for towns. Cities could potentially save $890 million a year in water treatment costs by investing in nature-based solutions in their watersheds, such as reforestation, wetlands, cover crops, etc.

Swat Hydrological Modeling and the Impact of Climate and Land Use Change on the Yaque del Norte, Ozama, Haina, and Nizao Watersheds - Fondo de Agua Santo Domingo
July 2013   
This hydrological and climate-change study made projections of water production, base flow, evaporation, sediment carryover, and other variables concerning the development of different scenarios. It also made climate change projections. It was developed under contract with Riverside Technology.

A Primer for Monitoring Water Funds - TNC
June 2013

The purpose of this document is to help people working in the Water Funds understand their information needs and become familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the different monitoring approaches. Here, critical information needs common to Water Fund projects are highlighted, summarizing issues and steps to follow in developing a monitoring program for a Water Fund.

Water Funds: Conserving Green Infrastructure - TNC

2012
This manual is a TNC effort to compile, analyze and synthesize its own experience, along with that of some existing Water Funds and other being created. The goal is to provide operational guidelines to the people and organizations interested in establishing a Water Fund or similar mechanism. Each locality has different ecological, social, economic, legal, and institutional feature and, therefore, each Water Fund presents its characteristics, phases, and projections.

Conservación y Preservación del Medio Ambiente con Familia Verde - Fondo de Agua Yaque
March-April 2011
The Green Family project is managed by the Ministry of the Environment of the Dominican Republic to encourage ecological, sports, and recreational activities in homes and around protected areas. It also seeks to help members who live in its surroundings to value and take advantage of the areas responsibly.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS FROM THE SECTOR

6th. Global Environment Perspectives Report (GEO, for its acronym in English)
"The science is clear. The health and prosperity of humanity are directly related to the state of our environment, "said Joyce Msuya, Acting Executive Director of the UN Environment." This report is a perspective for humanity, we are at a crossroads. Do we continue on our current path, which will lead us to a bleak future for humanity, or do we move toward a more sustainable development path?

The Global Risks Interconnections Map 2018 - World Economic Forum
Each year, the Global Risks Report works with experts and decision makers around the world to identify and analyze the most pressing risks we face. As the pace of change accelerates and risk interconnections deepen, this year's report highlights the growing tension we are exerting on many of the global systems we trust.

2018 UN World Water Development Report, Nature-based Solutions for Water  - UNESCO      
This report seeks to inform policy and decision makers who are part of as well as those outside the water-security community about the potential of nature-based solutions to address the contemporary challenges of water management in all sectors, and particularly concerning water for agriculture, sustainable cities, reduction of the risk of disaster, and water quality.

8th World Water Forum Highlights – WW Forum
June 2018 
  
The 8th World Water Forum, held in Brasilia from March 18-23, 2018, marked the largest edition in the history of this event and put the water at the top of the political and social agenda. The goal was to promote discussions at different levels on a wide range of topics related to water security. Additionally, it aimed at developing collective efforts through the establishment of commitments and other positive results.

2030 Water Agenda- CONAGUA
March 2012
In 2010, the 2030 Water Agenda became integrated to respond to water problems and reverse trends that affect the long-term sustainability of economic and human development. The Agenda’s main contributions are the vision and principles that it postulates, which express the will of society to take the path of sustainable development.