Briefing: Groundwater and the subsurface

Globally, groundwater is a vital resource for water supply, agriculture, industry and the environment. This paper examines the importance of groundwater, especially in light of increasing challenges like drought and flooding. As climate change progresses, the risks of declining freshwater supplies and rising flood levels threaten communities and ecosystems. This paper highlights innovative strategies being used to address these problems and explores the subsurface as a key opportunity for improving climate resilience. It reinforces the need for collaboration across sectors and technical disciplines, and investment in groundwater research and infrastructure. By drawing on current projects and studies, this paper emphasises the essential role of groundwater and subsurface systems in achieving sustainable development and tackling the urgent challenges posed by climate change. It advocates for a comprehensive approach to groundwater management that enhances understanding of the broader subsurface system, ensures equitable access to data and combines traditional knowledge with modern science. An approach which aims to strengthen the resilience of communities and ecosystems in a changing climate.