The study of resilience in the face of large physical and climatic change has emerged as an important area of research.
Shortages of freshwater have become a serious issue in many regions around the world, partly due to rapid urbanisation and climate change.
Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) infrastructure are conventionally designed based on historical climate data.

The sustainability of urban water systems is often compared in small numbers of cases selected as much for their familiarity as for their similarities and differences.

In the face of intensifying stresses such as climate change, rapid urban population growth, land use change, and public concern with rates and use restrictions, water management is becoming increasing
Ensuring future water security requires broad community support for changes in policy, practice, and technology, such as those involved in delivering alternative water schemes.
Access to water in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continues to be a challenge to the extent that there are more people without access to water in 2015 than in 1990.
Training and capacity building are long established critical components of global water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) policies, strategies, and programs.
Low-cost by-products from agricultural, household and industrial sectors have been recognized as a sustainable solution for wastewater treatment.

This article highlights the winning proposals of the first edition of the Elsevier Foundation Green & Sustainable Chemistry Challenge. The winning proposals were chosen for their innovative green chemistry aspects and their large positive impact on the environment, contributing to SDGs 6, 12 and 15.