Cities around the world are taking action on climate change, improving water stewardship and creating better places to live and work.

This dataset contains 2021 data on cities' adaptation actions related to water security risks. The data was reported by cities through the CDP-ICLEI Unified Reporting System in 2021 in response to question 14.3 - "Please select the actions you are taking to reduce the risks to your city’s water security" - in the 2021 CDP Cities questionnaire. View cities questionnaire guidance at https://www.cdp.net/en/guidance/guidance-for-cities. Please contact cities@cdp.net if you have any questions.

This data is collected through the CDP-ICLEI Unified Reporting System. When using this data, please cite both organisations using the following wording: ‘This data was collected in partnership by CDP and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability’.

For further guidance on how to reference this data for use in external publications, please refer to the Open Data Portal Terms of Use available on the homepage.

CDP’s new infographic report ‘Who’s tackling urban water challenges’, produced in partnership with AECOM, the global infrastructure firm, and funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, shows the first and most comprehensive dataset of global water action by cities and companies produced to date. Using information gathered from 569 cities and 1,432 companies, each reporting their water management activity, it illustrates how global cities and companies are responding to the escalating challenge of climate change and urban population growth.

The cities most concerned about their water supply lie in Asia and Oceania (84%); with serious risks also identified in Africa (80%) and Latin America (75%). 63% of North American cities deem climate change a risk to water supply, with fewer cities concerned in Europe (34%). 196 cities reported risks of water stress and scarcity; 132 a risk of declining water quality and 103 a risk of flooding.

Explore how cities and companies are acting on water, the CDP infographic report ‘Who’s in charge of Water Governance’, with case studies and full data is available at www.cdp.net/cities.