Water bankruptcy expert wins Stockholm Water Prize

U.N. warns world is using more water than it can replenish

The U.N. issued its landmark Global Water Bankruptcy report, authored by Kaveh Madani, who coined the concept of water bankruptcy. The report warns the world is using more water than can be replenished.

Madani frames crisis as investment opportunity

Instead of viewing water bankruptcy as only a risk, Madani frames it as a strategic investment opportunity. Taking action now avoids bankruptcy while making biodiversity and humanity more resilient.

Madani named 2026 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate

In honor of his leadership, Madani was named the 2026 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate, receiving what is often dubbed the Nobel Prize of water.

Climate must integrate into economic priorities

Madani says climate change must stop being treated as a separate agenda and start integrating into economic and development priorities, particularly in a fragmented world with competing priorities.

“We must stop treating climate change as a separate, competing agenda and start integrating it into our economic and development priorities.”

Climate action delivers multiple benefits at once

Many decisions in agriculture, energy, water, health, infrastructure and urban development can simultaneously advance climate goals, economic prosperity and human well-being without requiring standalone policies.

Reframe climate action as opportunity, not cost

Climate action should be framed as an opportunity to improve lives and create prosperity today while building a resilient future, not as a cost or sacrifice for future generations.

Madani advocates for responsible consumption

Madani will question his own consumption patterns and advocate for responsible consumption as essential to climate action. The cleanest energy is energy not produced; the most sustainable plastic is plastic not manufactured.

“The cleanest energy is the energy we don't need to produce. The most environmentally friendly food is the food we don't waste.”

Water offers common ground across divides

Madani identifies water as the most underappreciated climate solution. Water connects climate change with food, energy, health, prosperity and peace, offering common ground across political divides and between Global North and South.

“Water recognizes no political or geographical boundaries. In a divided world, it can become our common ground for climate action, cooperation, justice, and shared prosperity.”

AI is neither good nor bad for climate

Madani says AI can both help and worsen the climate crisis. It offers opportunities to improve efficiency and accelerate discovery, but rapid expansion increases demand for energy and water, potentially undermining environmental goals.

“Like a knife that can save a patient's life in an operating room or take someone's life in the hands of a murderer, AI is neither inherently good nor bad.”

Humanity can change course, Madani says

Madani finds hope in humanity's resilience and capacity to learn, innovate and cooperate. His Persian heritage and experience across science, government and diplomacy show that people refuse to accept a predetermined future.

“Hope is not the belief that everything will turn out fine. It is the conviction that our actions still matter and that a better future remains possible if we choose to create it.”