With 30% of global freshwater resources, Latin America’s biggest challenge when it comes to water isn’t supply – it’s governance. Whether it’s protecting forests, managing agriculture, or investing in infrastructure, government action is central to whether the region can keep the taps on in the face of the climate crisis.

Below, AQ ranks eight countries according to the World Wildlife Fund’s index for government effectiveness in water management. The WWF used a framework developed by the OECD to assess how states are using policy and working with various sectors to manage water and mitigate water-related risks. Click through each country to see a detailed portfolio of its water resources and risks and a close look at what the government is doing.

by Emilie Sweigart and Ben Miller

Source: WWF Water Risk Filter, Water Governance Index 2019