In a collaborative effort, Grundfos highlighted the critical role of water in enhancing cities’ climate resilience at the C40 Mayors Summit in Rio, Brazil. The summit convened mayors from nearly 100 major cities alongside business leaders, philanthropists, investors, academics, and civil society to share knowledge and collaborate on urgent, inclusive, and ambitious climate action in urban areas. Through a partnership between the Poul Due Jensen Foundation and C40, Grundfos has consistently advocated for integrating water into urban planning. This year, a dedicated session on water was introduced.
Dieter Sauer, Sales Group Head, Water Utility, opened the session with a keynote speech on urban water resilience and adapting cities to a changing climate. Addressing an audience of influential global figures, he stated, “90% of climate impacts involve water. Yet despite this reality, water remains undervalued and sidelined in our climate strategies. This must change.”
The summit, held just days before COP30, marked a pivotal moment for city-led climate action. Beyond the keynote, the joint delegation from Grundfos and the Poul Due Jensen Foundation participated in panel discussions and meetings to support local policy implementation. The core message was clear: smart water management is essential for achieving social, economic, and climate resilience.
Inês Breda, Manager of Partnerships & Alliances, External Relations, emphasized, “Mayors are at the forefront of the water crisis. They have to provide a response to their citizens every day. Extreme weather events are a new reality, and cities must adapt. During these days, we carefully listened to what cities are facing. This gives us an opportunity to humbly reconnect with Grundfos’ purpose: to pioneer solutions to the world’s water and climate challenges and improve quality of life for people.”
Source: Grundfos
