Integrated Water Resource Management and Climate Resilience: Sustainable Approaches to Address Water Scarcity in Developing Regions

Abstract

Scarcity of water is a growing global issue caused by disparities in water resource distribution, increasing demand, unsustainable water use and climate change. Integrated Water Resource Management offers a way to link water risk analysis to sustainable and climate-resilient management. This study evaluates global patterns of water scarcity, examines the relationship between water stress and depletion, and identifies countries where future climate conditions may intensify existing risks. A quantitative secondary data analysis was conducted using Aqueduct 4.0 indicators, with basin-level data aggregated to the country level through area-weighted methods. Key variables included baseline water stress, depletion, variability indicators, drought risk, and projected stress under the 2050 business-as-usual scenario. The results reveal strong spatial inequality, with 47.17% of countries experiencing low stress and 14.62% facing extremely high stress. A clear positive relationship between water stress and depletion highlights the role of unsustainable extraction. Future projections indicate a general increase in water stress, with a subset of countries identified as high-risk due to both high baseline stress and significant projected increases. Sustainable water management therefore requires integrated, climate-informed, and region-specific strategies. Targeted interventions in high-risk regions should focus on demand management, groundwater regulation, adaptive allocation, and long-term resilience planning.