R&D highlights edition 2019

30 Social and economic impact Demand for natural resources will continue to increase as the world’s population grows to more than nine billion people in 2050. Demand for fresh water will rise by 55%. Conflicts and debates over water management may also become more intense. The water and subsurface resources theme therefore focuses on establishing more accurate estimates of levels of natural resources such as water, energy and rawmaterials. The goal is also The main aim of this theme is to understand and manage the availability of water and subsurface resources for different uses in order to resolve shortages, now and for generations to come. To fulfil that aim, we develop robust knowledge about subsurface resources and water availability in river basins and deltas. We strongly believe in the system approach and that makes us a reliable knowledge partner in the water, food and energy nexus. Water and subsoil