Richmond Hill, Canada, 9 November 2026 — Professor Kaveh Madani, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), has been named to the 2026 TIME100 Climate, TIME magazine's annual list recognizing the world's 100 most influential climate leaders, for his contributions to global water governance and his pioneering work on water bankruptcy.
Madani is featured alongside United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, placing the Director of UNU-INWEH alongside the UN's highest-ranking official in a global selection of influential figures shaping climate and environmental action.
The fourth annual TIME100 Climate recognizes individuals driving meaningful climate action through leadership, innovation, policymaking, business, finance and environmental advocacy. According to TIME, this year's selection emphasizes measurable and sustained contributions to climate action over the preceding 12 months.
The list brings together prominent political and government figures, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Prince William of Wales, former Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, Türkiye's Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, and U.S. Governors Spencer Cox of Utah and Matt Meyer of Delaware.
Other internationally prominent figures include former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, European Climate Foundation CEO Laurence Tubiana, actor and environmental entrepreneur Edward Norton, Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe, Rainforest Alliance CEO Santiago Gowland, and leading executives from Google, Ford, Sunrun, and other major companies advancing climate and environmental innovation.
Recognizing global leadership on water bankruptcy
In its profile of Madani, TIME highlights his pioneering work on "water bankruptcy" and the United Nations' landmark Global Water Bankruptcy report, published by UNU-INWEH in 2026.
The report, authored by Madani, warns that many water systems around the world are experiencing persistent depletion, degradation and irreversible losses, increasingly undermining their ability to return to historical conditions. It calls for a fundamental shift in how governments and societies understand, account for and manage water resources.
TIME particularly highlights Madani's approach to reframing water bankruptcy not simply as an environmental crisis, but also as an opportunity for strategic investment, institutional reform and building greater resilience for people and ecosystems.
The magazine also recognizes Madani's receipt of the 2026 Stockholm Water Prize, widely known as the "Nobel Prize of Water," awarded for his contributions to global water science, policy and governance.
Water as a force for cooperation in a fragmented world
In his interview with TIME, Madani emphasizes the importance of integrating climate action into broader economic and development priorities rather than treating it as a separate agenda competing for limited resources.
He argues that decisions involving agriculture, energy, water, health, infrastructure and urban development can simultaneously advance climate goals, economic prosperity and human well-being.
Madani particularly highlights water as an underappreciated opportunity for international cooperation and progress across multiple development agendas, including food and energy security, public health, human rights, equity and peace.
In an increasingly fragmented world, he identifies water as a common denominator capable of connecting different political priorities and bridging the interests of the Global North and Global South.
"We do not need to agree on everything to cooperate on something as fundamental as water," Madani tells TIME.
His interview also addresses the importance of responsible consumption and the environmental implications of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. While recognizing the potential of innovation to improve resource efficiency and accelerate climate solutions, he cautions that technological advances alone cannot guarantee sustainability without responsible governance and consumption.
Growing international recognition of UNU-INWEH's leadership
Madani's inclusion in the TIME100 Climate follows two other major international recognitions in 2026.
In August, he received the Stockholm Water Prize, the world's most prestigious international honour for contributions to water science and policy. In September, he was also named to The Independent's 2026 Climate 100, alongside UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Inger Andersen.
Together, these recognitions underscore the growing international visibility of UNU-INWEH and its leadership in advancing global water science, governance and policy. They also reflect the Institute's contributions to reshaping international discussions on water security, including through its work on water bankruptcy and the connections between water, climate change and sustainable development.
Under Madani's leadership, UNU-INWEH has continued to strengthen its role as the UN's Think Tank on Water, bridging science and policy, challenging conventional approaches to water management, and promoting integrated responses to interconnected global challenges. The recognition of its Director among the world's influential climate leaders further highlights the importance of UNU-INWEH's work in placing water at the centre of international environmental and development agendas.
About Professor Kaveh Madani
Professor Kaveh Madani is Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), known as the UN's Think Tank on Water. His work focuses on complex human-natural systems and the connections between water, environment, development, security and society.
Before joining UNU, Madani worked across academia, government and international environmental diplomacy, including as Deputy Head of Iran's Department of Environment and Vice President of the UN Environment Assembly Bureau. He has held academic and research positions at institutions including Imperial College London and Yale University.
In 2026, he received the Stockholm Water Prize in recognition of his contributions to global water science, policy and diplomacy.
About UNU-INWEH
The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) is one of 13 institutes that form the United Nations University (UNU), the academic arm of the United Nations. Based in Richmond Hill, Canada, UNU-INWEH addresses pressing global water, environmental and health challenges through research, policy development, capacity building and knowledge sharing.
Media inquiries and interview requests: media.inweh@unu.edu
