A/HRC/24/44 demand for water for food production is projected to double by 2050.9 With the existing climate change scenario, almost half of the world population will be living in areas of high water stress by 2030.10 Even under conditions of water scarcity, global water availability is sufficient to meet the personal and domestic needs of all human beings. However, since the overall demand for water from all sectors exceeds availability, prioritization of uses becomes all the more important. 6. This lack of access to safe water and sanitation has severe human costs, such as poor health, as well as major economic losses – an estimated US$ 260 billion lost yearly due to lack of access to sanitation alone.11 Conversely, it is estimated that in developing regions the return on a US$ 1 investment in water and sanitation was in the range of US$ 5 to US$ 28.12 7. As these examples illustrate, the world is facing enormous challenges in the area of safe water and sanitation, as regards not only improving access but also ensuring quality and sustainability. The difficulties are compounded by the effects of climate change, a decrease in financial resources and the ever-growing demands for water, which put additional stress on resources. Urgent efforts and a change of mindset are needed. Without modifications in practices and policies the situation will only deteriorate. In the present report, the Special Rapporteur demonstrates that integrating sustainability is key to securing the human rights to water and sanitation, today and for future generations. 8. The Special Rapporteur considers this report to be especially timely, in particular given that many countries are currently facing periods of crisis. Austerity measures are being implemented all over the world, with significant impacts on the realization of human rights. The Special Rapporteur is concerned that States often do not use the policy space they have to protect human rights, but follow a strict course of budget consolidation with austerity measures that often have a disproportionate impact on those who are already disadvantaged in society. She also considers that the impacts currently felt represent only the tip of the iceberg. Challenges to sustainability and retrogressions in the water and sanitation sector run much deeper, and examining merely the impacts of the crisis underestimates the challenges faced. The Special Rapporteur therefore seeks to address such challenges holistically, both in times of economic growth and in times of economic crisis. In doing so, she underscores that States have an obligation to address challenges to sustainability at all times, which would in turn help them to be better prepared for times of crisis. II. Sustainability and the human rights to water and sanitation 9. The Special Rapporteur considers the concept of sustainability to be non-dissociable from human rights law, in particular from the scope and content of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Along with the core human rights 9 10 11 12 4 United Nations Development Programme, Human Development Report 2011: Sustainability and Equity–A Better Future for All (2011), pp. 37-38. “Water scarcity”, International Decade for Action “Water for Life” 2005–2015 website, available from www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/scarcity.shtml. World Bank, “WB confronts US$260 billion a year in global economic losses from lack of sanitation”, 19 April 2013. Available from www.worldbank.org/en/news/pressrelease/2013/04/19/wb-confronts-us-260-billion-a-year-in-global-economic-losses-from-lack-ofsanitation. Guy Hutton and Laurence Haller, Evaluation of the Costs and Benefits of Water and Sanitation Improvements at the Global Level (WHO, Geneva, 2004), p. 3. Available from www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/wsh0404.pdf.