Science Policy Interface for Water

Our workstream brings together experts from science, policy, and civil society to strengthen science-policy interactions for water quality. While poor water quality is often attributed to a lack of data or political will, this initiative highlights a third challenge: weak connections between scientific knowledge and policy action.

The SPI4Water workstream aims to identify and test effective models of science-policy interaction to support a global data-to-action approach. By engaging with WWQA partners—including those focused on plastics, wastewater, citizen science, youth, and Africa use cases—we will build a network, develop a shared framework, and explore real-world applications through pilot studies.

Led by the Science-Policy Lab at Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, the workstream focuses on three key questions: What innovative formats can improve science-policy engagement? How do current models perform? And how can we better define and use policy-relevant knowledge for nature?

Our first phase runs until December 2026, with key outputs including a global network, joint research proposals, case studies in Africa and Europe, and policy briefs. By advancing how science and policy connect, this workstream supports better water quality outcomes and more effective environmental action worldwide.

Highlights

Workstream publications

2024

Institute, Earthwatch

Policy Brief - The role of citizen science in improving ambient water quality Journal Article

In: 2024.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

@article{earthwatch_institute_policy_2024,

title = {Policy Brief - The role of citizen science in improving ambient water quality},

author = {Earthwatch Institute},

url = {https://zenodo.org/doi/10.5281/zenodo.12650972},

doi = {10.5281/ZENODO.12650972},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-07-01},

urldate = {2025-05-28},

abstract = {Recommended Citation: WWQA, 2024. Policy Brief – The role of citizen science in improving ambient water quality - Sustainable Development Target 6.3. Published by Earthwatch Europe on behalf of the United Nations Environment Programme-coordinated World Water Quality Alliance. July 2024. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.12650972 

This is the Policy Brief. There is an accompanying Technical Brief. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.12634359 

Key messageInternational recognition of the need for global action on water is building. In 2023 the UN Water Conferencemade it clear that water is essential for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and for the health and prosperity of people and planet. But that progress on water related goals and targets remains alarmingly off track. The 2024 United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 6) resolution on Effective and inclusive solutions for strengthening water policies - (UNEP/EA.6/L.13) makes clear that the collection of water quality data needs to be enhanced and used for evidence-based decision making and informed water resource management. Despite the awareness that good ambient water quality is crucial for human survival, it is alarming how little information about the quality of water in lakes, rivers, and groundwater is available globally. Urgent action needs to be taken if we want to understand and protect our water supplies. This brief calls for international policy makers and local communities to work together to monitor and improve water quality using a readily available approach – citizen science. Without immediate adoption, the authors believe that Sustainable Development Target 6.3 will not be met.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

Institute, Earthwatch

Technical Brief - The role of citizen science in improving ambient water quality Technical Report

Zenodo 2024.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

@techreport{earthwatch_institute_technical_2024,

title = {Technical Brief - The role of citizen science in improving ambient water quality},

author = {Earthwatch Institute},

url = {https://zenodo.org/doi/10.5281/zenodo.12634359},

doi = {10.5281/ZENODO.12634359},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-07-01},

urldate = {2025-05-28},

institution = {Zenodo},

abstract = {Recommended Citation: WWQA, 2024. Technical Brief – The role of citizen science in improving ambientwater quality - Sustainable Development Target 6.3. Published by Earthwatch Europe on behalf of the United Nations Environment Programme-coordinated World Water Quality Alliance. July 2024.DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.12634359 

This is the Technical Brief. There is an accompanying Policy Brief (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.12650972). 

Key message: International recognition of the need for global action on water is building. In 2023 the UN Water Conference made it clear that water is essential for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and for the health and prosperity of people and planet. But that progress on water related goals and targets remains alarmingly off track. The 2024 United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 6) resolution on Effective and inclusive solutions for strengthening water policies - (UNEP/EA.6/L.13) makes clear that the collection of water quality data needs to be enhanced and used for evidence-based decision making and informed water resource management. Despite the awareness that good ambient water quality is crucial for human survival, it is alarming how little information about the quality of water in lakes, rivers, and groundwater is available globally. Urgent action needs to be taken if we want to understand and protect our water supplies. This brief calls for international policy makers and local communities to work together to monitor and improve water quality using a readily available approach – citizen science. Without immediate adoption, the authors believe that Sustainable Development Target 6.3 will not be met.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {techreport}

}

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