Downscaling SDG6 (clean water and sanitation) to decision relevant scales

Current efforts to localize Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are hindered by uncertainties and risk, insufficient monitoring and inappropriate indexes, and limited exchanges among countries/regions. We provide perspectives on downscaling SDG6–clean water and sanitation–to decision relevant scales everywhere in the world. We synthesize existing experiences to identify promising approaches; test entry points and applicability of SDG indicators in pilot basins, cities and countries; and promote evidence based indexes and dashboards for local water management. In this way, we directly respond to a key question of the UN 2023 SDG progress report on how progress towards SDG6 can be accelerated.