Fresh Water Under Threat: Protecting and Restoring Freshwater Ecosystems - SDG Policy Brief No. 004

Freshwater ecosystems such as lakes and rivers are primarily affected by over-extraction, dumping of waste, discharge of wastewater and climate change. These ecosystems are essential for human health, biodiversity, and the functioning of other ecosystems on land and at sea. They provide important goods and services and are necessary for the replenishment and purification of water resources. By covering the entire water cycle and addressing the sustainability of water and sanitation access by focusing on the quality, availability and management of freshwater resources, SDG 6 acknowledges these links.