3 keys to building food and water security in a changing climate

If we are what we eat, what we are is in trouble. Climate change is raising many concerns, and our food and water systems are chief among them. From immense stress on global water systems to a leaky food supply chain that pumps out both waste and emissions, we have no shortage of challenges to tackle to ensure food and water security in the coming years. 

We also have no shortage of creative minds at work on the task.

Facing down a near future of water and food stress in one of the driest landscapes in the world, the Middle East is emerging as a leader in rethinking water management and food production. ADSW convened a group of the business pioneers, visionaries and producers who are working to keep food on the table in the region. This ADSW Advisory Committee on Food and Water Security showed the complexity we face in ensuring a food and water-secure future, but also the optimism and opportunities that lie ahead. 

1. Invest in innovation

While there is no shortage of interest and investment in food and water security, the committee stressed that an appetite for innovation would be essential to scale solutions. “Currently, there isn’t nearly enough funding for innovation in water, whereas there is near-infinite funding for water infrastructure,” one committee member said. “For infrastructure, there’s little hesitation to spend a billion dollars here, another billion there, particularly in the Middle East, with desalination. But if you are out there with any of these new technologies trying to scrape together a few million dollars to bring something which is more futureproof to market, that is actually really tough.”

Innovative technologies have transformative potential. One participant gave the example of tomatoes grown using Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems yielded crop losses as low as 2-5%, compared to the 38% typical in open-field farming under arid conditions. By using renewable energy for operations and adopting water-saving innovations like rainfall capture, systems like this hold untapped potential for local food security.

2. Use policy and pricing as the drivers of change
 
While infrastructure and technology are powerful tools which can help achieve climate goals, there are two other levers which we should not hesitate to pull: policy frameworks and pricing mechanisms. 

Policy and pricing can work together to build a supportive foundation for resource management, both steering consumer behavior and incentivizing sustainable practices. The committee highlighted Abu Dhabi’s introduction of a recycled water tariff in 2023, which led to noticeable reductions in demand, encouraging more judicious use of resources. Similarly, removing subsidies for gasoline in 2015 not only curbed waste but also shifted public perception toward conservation (although not before a period of initial domestic discontent, the committee caveated).
 
Reflective pricing strategies require careful navigation of political and economic sensitivities. As inflation rises worldwide and households feel the squeeze, policymakers must balance affordability with the need to reduce consumption and align markets with sustainability goals. But well-designed and inclusive policy and pricing can kill two birds with one stone. The first and most immediate is more conscious consumption. The second, more long-term, is sending regulatory signals that may nudge more private sector investments in innovative, future-proof solutions. 

3. Understand the water-energy-food nexus

Running throughout the discussion was the recognition that water, food and energy are inseparable. 

Water usage is linked to food production, and energy is embedded in how we use, transport, treat and store both. Solutions that attempt to tackle issues in food alone or water alone or energy alone risk overlooking or exacerbating challenges in either of the other sectors. The committee stressed that while technological solutions abound, their impact depends on comprehensive solutions.

Fragmented efforts remain a significant hurdle. The committee identified a lack of integrated planning across water, energy, and food sectors, with many stakeholders operating in isolation. Addressing this disconnect requires bold leadership and collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society.

Building the future of food and water
 
The committee’s discussions echoed a shared optimism about humanity’s ability to address these complex challenges through innovation and cooperation. However, keeping food on our tables and water running through our pipes demands more than technology—it requires clear strategies, supportive policies, and a culture of shared responsibility.

As global climate conditions intensify, the Middle East’s experience underscores the urgency of a united front. By aligning efforts across sectors, regions can build sustainable systems that not only meet immediate needs but also safeguard resources for future generations. Through reflective pricing, bold policymaking, and the thoughtful integration of technology, we can pave the way toward a more sustainable and equitable world.

Go deeper into the industry intelligence with the ADSW Advisory Committee Insights Report: Food and Water Security.