Climate Change

Climate Change

Climate Change and CDD India’s Commitment to Resilient Water and Sanitation Solutions

Climate change poses unprecedented challenges to water security, sanitation, and public health—especially in vulnerable communities across India and the Global South. Increasing temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels intensify water scarcity, degrade water quality, and strain existing infrastructure.

The Climate-Water-Sanitation Nexus

Water and sanitation systems are both impacted by climate change and key contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires innovative, adaptive, and sustainable approaches that enhance resilience while reducing environmental footprints.

CDD India’s Climate-Responsive Approach

At CDD India, climate resilience is embedded in every aspect of our work. Our strategies focus on developing and scaling solutions that:

  • Mitigate climate risks: Implementing decentralized and nature-based water and sanitation systems that are adaptable to changing climatic conditions, reducing vulnerability to floods, droughts, and temperature extremes.
  • Reduce carbon emissions: Designing low-energy, low-resource systems that minimize greenhouse gas emissions throughout their lifecycle.
  • Enhance ecosystem services: Leveraging natural processes and biodiversity to improve water quality, recharge groundwater, and buffer climate impacts.
  • Promote circularity: Recovering resources such as water, nutrients, and energy locally to reduce waste and build closed-loop systems.
  • Empower communities: Building local capacity and inclusive governance structures to ensure sustained climate resilience and equitable access.
Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience

CDD India actively integrates nature-based solutions that provide multiple climate benefits—such as flood regulation, carbon sequestration, and temperature moderation—while supporting water and sanitation needs.

Examples include constructed wetlands, urban green infrastructure, and faecal sludge biochar applications that restore soil health and reduce emissions.

Innovation and Evidence-Based Action

Our extensive portfolio of over 500 water and sanitation projects includes pilots and scaled implementations designed to withstand climate variability. Through continuous monitoring, research, and knowledge sharing, CDD India contributes to evolving best practices for climate-resilient infrastructure and policy frameworks.

Our Vision for a Climate-Resilient Future

CDD India envisions a future where water and sanitation systems are designed with climate foresight—ensuring they remain functional, efficient, and inclusive amid environmental uncertainties. By combining decentralized approaches, nature-based solutions, and community empowerment, we strive to safeguard human health, livelihoods, and ecosystems against the growing climate crisis.

CDD India invites partners, practitioners, and policymakers to join us in advancing climate-smart water and sanitation solutions that foster sustainability, resilience, and social equity for generations to come.