Utility staff (managers, operators) worldwide, with a particular focus on utilities in emerging economies; Water professionals advising utilities (consultants, academics); City and national regulators/ policymakers responsible for water and climate strategies
Water utilities are at the forefront of climate change, as every impact derived from it –more intense and frequent rainfall, sea level rises, or drought – directly affect utilities’ operations. Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by water utilities not only makes economic sense, it’s also an environmentally and socially responsible action to lessen the impacts of climate change and build resilience over the long-term. How can we find a pathway for water utilities to reach carbon neutrality while improving their services and climate resiliency?
The WaCCliM Roadmap outlines an ambitious process in five general steps, which are intended to raise a utility’s awareness, capacity, and decision making abilities at each step. The ultimate goal is to empower utilities to start generating their own momentum towards low carbon, holistic, and sustainable futures. Several case studies will be presented to explore how utilities from developed and emerging economies are currently taking on innovations in different contexts.
• Participants are aware of the opportunity of a low carbon future for utilities and the necessity to adopt a “low-Carbon” mindset.
• Participants will become familiar with the WaCCliM Roadmap, its five-step process and a number of critical components (which include data management needs and assessment tools, an enabling environment, a ‘bankable’ project proposal, and a monitoring plan).
• Participants have several ideas of practical measures that can be implemented by utilities to become climate smart, illustrated by case studies.
• Participants have a go-to resource to apply the five-step process and are energised to initiate action within their organization.
Corinne Trommsdorff, IWA Cities of the Future Programme Manager
