Governing the Full Hydrological Cycle to Strengthen Water Resilience

Policy publications|May 20, 2026

Water governance Green water Landscapes and ecosystems

Aerial,Image,Of,Flying,Rivers,In,The,Amazon,Rainforest — Credit: Carina Furlanetto

This issue brief explores the growing need to govern water as a connected system across the full hydrological cycle. While water governance has traditionally focused on blue water — rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and groundwater — increasing scientific attention is being given to green water: the moisture stored in soils, vegetation, and ecosystems that regulates rainfall, supports agriculture, and underpins climate resilience.

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As climate change intensifies droughts, floods, glacier loss, ecosystem degradation, and water insecurity, the brief examines how current governance systems often remain fragmented across sectors such as water, land use, agriculture, climate adaptation, and biodiversity. It argues that these divisions no longer reflect the physical realities of how water moves through landscapes and the atmosphere.

Drawing on examples from the Nile, Zambezi, Mekong-Lancang, and Amazon regions, the brief highlights how atmospheric moisture flows, ecosystem health, and land management increasingly influence water availability, resilience, and economic stability across borders.

The brief outlines key governance gaps and proposes policy priorities to help strengthen resilience through more integrated approaches. It also explores how the UN 2026 Water Conference could help advance governance frameworks that better reflect the interconnected nature of the hydrological cycle.