Innovative Collaboration on Water for Circular Economy and Climate Change: Lessons from Brazilian and Swedish Watersheds (ICW-CECC)

• Grant number: 25/02971-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Tadeu Fabricio Malheiros
• Grantee: Tadeu Fabricio Malheiros
• Principal researcher abroad: Jing Li
• Institution abroad: Lund University, Lund, Sweden
• Principal researcher abroad: Linus Zhang
• Institution abroad: Lund University, Lund, Sweden
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Duarcides Ferreira Mariosa ; Sabrina de Oliveira Anício
• Associated research grant: 23/10106-2 - Monitoring and assessment platform for the Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí Rivers Watersheds Plan in the State of São Paulo, AP.PP

Abstract

The Piracicaba, Capivari, and Jundiaí (PCJ) river basins in Brazil and the Kävlinge river basin in Sweden face challenges related to water availability, quality, and climate change. The PCJ basins, covering 76 municipalities and serving 5.8 million people, are known for low water availability and poor water quality. The Kävlinge river basin, historically modified to improve agricultural drainage, suffers from soil erosion, aquatic ecosystem degradation, and increasing flood risks due to climate change. This collaborative project between the University of São Paulo (USP) and Lund University (LU) aims to enhance water management and monitoring in both regions, with a focus on innovation, circular economy strategies, and climate resilience. By comparing water management practices, the project seeks to identify best practices for reducing water demand, controlling losses, and improving water quality. It will also explore institutional frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and the challenges of implementing circular economy principles. The process will be facilitated by the already established cooperation between USP and the PCJ Committees, one of the main organizations involved in the watershed management. USP is a member of the Committees, and it also has representatives in the Integration and Dissemination of Research and Technologies Technical Chamber (CT-ID). The partnership aims to develop solutions adaptable to both contexts, strengthening scientific knowledge, technological applications, and data-driven decision-making. The project seeks to support long-term sustainability and resilience in both river basins, contributing to global water management practices in the face of climate change. (AU)