Sustainable development of water management in the context of climate change: ukrainian experience

Abstract

Humans need access to clean water and sanitation for overall well-being, yet Ukraine faces significant challenges in meeting Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6). This study explores Ukraine's progress, comparing its performance to Central and Eastern European peers and assessing water and climate risks using the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Water Risk framework. Relevant literature and statistical data from Ukrstat (2015–2023) and the UN (2024) were analyzed to evaluate SDG6 indicators for Ukraine. Comparative benchmarking was conducted against Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. WWF water risk metrics, including Basin Physical Risk, were examined. Ukraine demonstrated limited progress in key SDG6 indicators, including the share of rural and urban populations with centralized water drainage. Comparative analysis revealed Ukraine's underperformance in safely managed drinking water (87.6%) and wastewater treatment (50.2%). WWF data ranked Ukraine 74th globally in Basin Physical Risk, highlighting vulnerabilities in water availability and quality. Findings indicate a need for enhanced water protection practices and robust benchmarking methodologies to accelerate SDG6 progress. Strengthened monitoring, policy reforms, and international collaboration are critical for improving Ukraine’s water security and achieving SDG6 targets.