Climate, Water, and Health: Getting WASH Right in a Changing

​Water sits at the center of the climate crisis, yet it is often underrepresented in climate finance, policy, and planning. At the same time, many WASH systems struggle to deliver reliable, equitable services, particularly in rural and low-resource settings where the true costs of operation and maintenance are often underestimated.

This discussion explores how to better connect climate, water, and public health. What would it take for climate finance to fully recognize water as a core component of resilience? How can WASH systems be designed to withstand climate shocks while continuing to deliver essential services?

We will also examine critical but often overlooked dimensions, including menstrual health and hygiene, and how education and access shape dignity, health, and opportunity for millions of girls. The session will explore how innovation, including the use of AI and data, can strengthen public health systems and improve service delivery.

Bringing together practitioners, funders, and policymakers, this conversation will focus on how to build WASH systems that are resilient, inclusive, and fit for a changing climate.

Speakers

• ​Eric Awini is Partnerships and Development Manager at Saha Global.

• ​Nadia Kist is Executive Director of Blood:Water, advancing community-led systems change through philanthropic strategy.

• ​Zach Carpenter is President of The Kilgoris Project, advancing integrated education, health, and nutrition programmes in rural Kenya.

​Discussion Questions
How can climate finance better integrate water and WASH into its priorities and funding criteria?
What does it take to build climate-resilient WASH systems, particularly in rural and underserved areas?
How can WASH interventions better address issues like menstrual health and hygiene as part of broader public health?
What role can technology, including AI, play in strengthening WASH systems and service delivery?