Moving Towards Climate Resilient Water and Sanitation Services
February 2026
Water and sanitation lie at the forefront of the climate challenge, affecting not only public health but also the broader ecological balance. Yet, they are often viewed separately from the climate and environmental agenda and the WASH, climate link is not well established. At the same time, with rapid urbanisation, the sector’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is becoming increasingly significant. There is therefore a need to rethink water and sanitation services and infrastructure to make them climate-responsive, sustainable, and resilient.
This guidebook on Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Services has been developed by CWAS at CRDF-CEPT University in partnership with the Majhi Vasundhara initiative at the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra. It was launched on 17th Feb 2026 at the Mumbai Climate Week by the Hon. Minister Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Maharashtra, Smt. Pankaja Munde. Drawing lessons from actual on-ground experience, this publication provides an ready-reference for cities and offers actionable approaches to adapt and innovate in response to climate change, ensuring WASH services remain accessible, equitable, and climate-adaptive even under environmental uncertainty. It focuses on integrating circularity in waste management, enabling energy transition within WASH systems, and strengthening inclusivity and climate-responsive financing.
