The University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Engineering, Suntory Holdings, and Nippon Koei have launched a trial version of the “Water Security Compass” – the world’s first online platform designed for global water risk assessment. This tool enables comprehensive, usage-specific analysis of future water scarcity risks based on water supply and demand across different regions worldwide. The platform is accessible free of charge via the website (https://watersc.diasjp.net/).

This project is part of the “Global Hydrologic Cycles” collaborative course at the University of Tokyo, with plans to refine and update the platform’s data and functionalities continually. The full version is expected to be released in 2025. Currently, the platform can simulate water risk assessments in Japan at approximately two-square-kilometer grid resolutions, with data availability currently focused on western Japan.

The Water Security Compass incorporates seasonal changes, infrastructure such as dams, and other key factors influencing water volumes, allowing for accurate projections of required and available water resources in regions worldwide. The platform not only visualizes the degree of water scarcity essential for both human and ecological needs but also identifies areas with a high potential for water shortages across agricultural, industrial, and domestic sectors. This information aims to facilitate targeted interventions in regions where water scarcity is likely, supporting efforts to mitigate water-related risks.

Building upon the insights and data acquired, the project envisions scaling up its application on a broader, global level. Additionally, the platform aspires to contribute to the establishment of international water governance frameworks, a topic of increasing global importance. (2024/10/15)