Water and climate resilience
'The worsening water situation in the countries in which the EBRD operates provides an opportunity for the private sector to create financial value by addressing the challenges head on. Potential synergies between the Dutch water sector and the EBRD are strong. Dutch companies already work in highly water stressed EBRD countries such as Jordan and Egypt.
The EBRD delegation consisted of seven water and climate resilience professionals who, on the first day, received a warm welcome and attended a presentation by Ger Pannekoek of the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP), the host during this study tour. Delegates learned about the importance of building strong partnerships between academic institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), governments and the private sector. NWP mobilises all these stakeholders to meet the ambitions of the Dutch international water sector as well as national strategies in terms of climate adaptation and water management.'
Study tour highlights
'There were several highlights during the study tour. One of these was a presentation by Martien Beek, Strategic Advisor to the Delta Commissioner, who outlined the importance of climate resilience in a country where 60% of the population lives in flood prone areas and 65% of the GDP is exposed to flood risk. His presentation was a great opportunity to learn about the Netherlands’ adaptive approach to climate action to handle water problems, heat stress, drought and the effects of extreme weather events.
Irene Pohl of REBEL gave insights on the climate resilience cost benefit analysis tool that the company created. A tool like this is very useful in the context of the development of a more objective climate resilience strategy as it allows decisions made on prioritising measures and investments to be based on quantified impacts and overall benefits.
Hans Peter van Schooneveld, the pioneering architect in the town of Heerhugowaard, presented what is the first CO2 neutral residential area in the world. It is a great example of the integration of renewable energy in urban design, flexible urban planning, as well as the use of natural green infrastructure for storm water purification and climate resilience.
The delegation visited the Marineterrein Smart Roof 2.0 where they were welcomed by Steven van Rossum, Managing Director of World Waternet, as well as Janette Worm, Regional Director for the Middle-East. Gijsbert Cirkel, a Senior Scientific Researcher at KWR Water Research Institute, presented the Smart Roof 2.0 solution which demonstrates how green roofs both cool buildings and store rainwater. This reduces energy usage for cooling and the impacts of severe weather related urban flooding.