Brief: a global water data infrastructure for a resilient hydrological cycle

Climate change and unsustainable land and water use are disrupting the global hydrological cycle, threatening economies, livelihoods, and ecosystems. Safeguarding a resilient water cycle and stable green water (soil and plant moisture, evapotranspiration) and blue water (rivers, lakes, groundwater) requires systemic, collective, and economy-wide action. To transform the way we value water, the Global Commission proposes five missions to drive innovation in policies, institutions, and technologies.

Complete, interoperable, and publicly available water data is foundational for catalyzing shifts, tracking progress, and enabling accountability. Yet, the water data landscape remains fragmented with significant gaps and limited integration of non-environmental data. This policy brief outlines how data can be harnessed as a foundation for action with the ultimate ambition of establishing a Global Water Data Infrastructure addressing the full hydrological cycle. A robust data system that empowers public access and interpretation of key water data will enable participatory and informed action to protect the global common good