Climate change

Climate change resilience and adaptation

Increasingly, climate change poses significant challenges to communities, businesses, and ecosystems worldwide. As temperatures rise, extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, threatening lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure. The urgent need to build resilience and adapt to these changing climatic conditions has never been more apparent. Climate change resilience and adaptation efforts are essential for safeguarding human health, protecting critical infrastructure, preserving natural resources, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of economies and societies. However, addressing these challenges requires comprehensive strategies that integrate environmental, financial, and infrastructure considerations. From developing resilient infrastructure and ecosystems to implementing adaptive policies and practices, there is a pressing need for collaborative action at local, national, and global levels to build resilience and adapt to the impacts of climate change effectively.

KIWER is a specialized adviser in the climate change and adaptation with extensive experience and expertise. By offering these services, we can help our clients navigate the complex challenges posed by climate change and develop effective strategies to build resilience, reduce vulnerability, and promote sustainable development in a changing climate.

Our specialisation covers:

Economic regulation

Economic impact assessments: Conducting assessments to quantify the economic impacts of climate change on different sectors and regions, including potential losses and costs associated with climate-related risks.

Cost-benefit analysis: Evaluating the costs and benefits of climate adaptation measures and investments to determine their economic viability and prioritize interventions.

Financial incentives and mechanisms: Designing and implementing financial incentives, such as subsidies, tax breaks, and grants, to encourage investment in climate resilience and adaptation projects.

Market-based instruments: Developing and implementing market-based mechanisms, such as carbon pricing mechanisms and emissions trading schemes, to incentivize emission reductions and promote low-carbon technologies.

Regulatory frameworks: Advising governments on the development of regulatory frameworks and policies that promote climate resilience and adaptation, including building codes, land-use planning regulations, and environmental standards.

Public-private partnerships (PPPs): Facilitating partnerships between public and private sector entities to finance and implement climate resilience projects, leveraging private sector expertise and resources.

Green financing and investment: Assisting financial institutions, investors, and project developers in identifying and accessing green financing sources for climate resilience and adaptation projects.

Capacity building and training: Providing training and capacity-building programs to government officials, policymakers, and other stakeholders on economic principles related to climate resilience and adaptation, as well as best practices in economic regulation.

Environmental regulation

Policy analysis and development: Conducting assessments of existing environmental policies and regulations related to climate change resilience and adaptation, and providing recommendations for strengthening or developing new policies to enhance resilience.

Regulatory compliance assistance: Assisting organizations in understanding and complying with environmental regulations and requirements related to climate change resilience and adaptation, including permitting, reporting, and monitoring obligations.

Environmental impact assessments: Conducting assessments to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of climate change resilience and adaptation projects, and developing strategies to mitigate adverse effects on ecosystems and natural resources.

Ecosystem-based adaptation: Providing expertise in ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation, such as restoring and conserving natural habitats, managing water resources, and enhancing biodiversity to increase resilience to climate impacts.

Sustainable land use planning: Advising on sustainable land use practices and spatial planning strategies that support climate resilience, such as incorporating green infrastructure, protecting natural buffers, and minimizing exposure to climate hazards.

Climate risk assessments: Conducting assessments to identify and prioritize climate-related risks and vulnerabilities, and developing risk management strategies to reduce exposure and enhance resilience at the organizational or community level.

Stakeholder engagement and consultation: Facilitating stakeholder engagement processes to gather input, build consensus, and incorporate diverse perspectives into climate resilience and adaptation planning and decision-making.

Capacity building and training: Providing training and capacity-building programs to government agencies, businesses, and communities on environmental regulations, climate resilience strategies, and adaptation best practices.

Monitoring and evaluation: Developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of climate resilience and adaptation measures, track progress towards resilience goals, and make data-driven decisions for adaptive management.

Project management

Climate risk assessments: Conducting comprehensive assessments to identify vulnerabilities of existing and planned infrastructure to climate change impacts such as extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and changes in temperature and precipitation patterns.

Infrastructure planning and design: Developing climate-resilient infrastructure designs and engineering solutions that consider projected climate change impacts, including resilient building design, flood-proofing, stormwater management, and coastal protection measures.

Green infrastructure planning: Integrating green infrastructure elements such as green roofs, permeable pavements, urban forests, and rain gardens into infrastructure projects to enhance resilience, reduce flood risk, and mitigate the urban heat island effect.

Coastal and floodplain management: Providing expertise in coastal and floodplain management to protect infrastructure assets located in vulnerable coastal areas or flood-prone zones, including shoreline stabilization, beach nourishment, and natural floodplain restoration.

Infrastructure retrofitting and upgrades: Assessing existing infrastructure systems to identify opportunities for retrofitting and upgrading to improve resilience, reliability, and durability in the face of climate change impacts.

Community resilience planning: Collaborating with communities to develop resilience plans and strategies that incorporate infrastructure development as part of a broader approach to building community resilience to climate change.

Infrastructure financing and funding mechanisms: Assisting clients in identifying and accessing funding sources for climate-resilient infrastructure projects, including public-private partnerships (PPPs), climate finance mechanisms, and grant programs.

Regulatory compliance and permitting: Advising on regulatory requirements and permitting processes related to climate change resilience and adaptation, including environmental impact assessments, permitting for coastal development, and compliance with building codes and standards.

Capacity building and training: Providing training and capacity-building programs to government agencies, engineering firms, and community stakeholders on climate-resilient infrastructure planning, design, construction, and maintenance practices.

Monitoring and evaluation: Developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of climate-resilient infrastructure projects, track performance over time, and make data-driven decisions for adaptive management and continuous improvement.

PPPs

Feasibility studies: Conducting comprehensive feasibility studies to assess the viability and potential risks of PPP projects related to climate change resilience and adaptation, including cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment, and stakeholder engagement.

Project structuring and procurement: Assisting government agencies in structuring PPP projects for climate-resilient infrastructure development, including defining project scope, identifying financing options, drafting tender documents, and managing the procurement process.

Financial modeling and risk assessment: Developing financial models to assess the financial viability of PPP projects in the context of climate change resilience and adaptation, including evaluating revenue streams, financial projections, and risk allocation mechanisms.

Legal and regulatory advisory: Providing legal and regulatory advice on PPP frameworks, contract structures, and risk allocation mechanisms to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations governing infrastructure development and service provision.

Stakeholder engagement and public consultation: Facilitating stakeholder engagement processes to garner support and input from key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, community groups, and civil society organizations, throughout the PPP project lifecycle.

Environmental and social impact assessment: Conducting environmental and social impact assessments to evaluate the potential environmental and social risks and impacts of PPP projects, including climate change-related risks such as sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and ecosystem disruption.

Climate risk management and resilience planning: Integrating climate risk management and resilience planning into PPP projects to ensure infrastructure assets are designed, constructed, and operated to withstand climate-related hazards and promote long-term resilience.

Performance monitoring and evaluation: Developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the performance and effectiveness of PPP projects in achieving climate resilience and adaptation objectives, including tracking key performance indicators, monitoring project outcomes, and conducting periodic reviews.

Capacity building and knowledge transfer: Providing capacity-building support and knowledge transfer to government agencies, private sector partners, and other stakeholders involved in PPP projects to enhance their understanding of climate resilience and adaptation principles, best practices, and implementation strategies.

Financial structuring and access to climate finance: Assisting in the structuring of PPP projects to attract climate finance and secure funding from multilateral development banks, international climate funds, and other sources of climate finance to support climate-resilient infrastructure development and service provision.

Featured Projects

Rural Water and Sanitation Support Programme – Phase IV Component 3 “Improve financial sustainability of the Regional Water Companies”

The project has provided technical assistance to all water and sewerage companies in Kosovo to improve operational, financial and service performance as a contribution to improving financial sustainability. The areas

Support to waste management in Kosovo, with the Identification Number EuropeAid/133800/D/SER/XK – Task 3: Tender Documents for the Priority Projects to be financed by IPA

Kiwer was part of the team led by EPEM SA responsible for conducting the feasibility study, primary design, and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the following Solid Waste

Consulting Service for Institutional and Operation Support for the WWTP of the Regional Water Company in Prizren – (Accompanying Measures)

The project focused on enhancing the institutional and technical capacities of the Water and Wastewater Company Hidroregjioni Jugor of Prizren to effectively manage operations at the new Wastewater Treatment Plant

Khujand Wastewater Project – Phase III – Corporate Development, Stakeholder Participation and City Support Programmes

Phase III of CDP will focus on the rehabilitation of the wastewater management system in the City Khujand (Tajikistan) with an aim to reach compliance with relevant EU directives. In

Aktobe Water Project – Corporate Development Programme

The EBRD in collaboration with the Aktobe Water Company and the City of Aktobe developed the Aktobe Water Project to upgrade the water and wastewater services in the City of

Kyzylorda Water – Corporate Development Programme

The EBRD had developed this project together with the Kyzylorda Water Company and the City of Kyzylorda to upgrade the water and wastewater system in the City. The Project helped

Feasibility study, ESIA and main design for the Composting Plant in Gjilan

KIWER was tasked to carry out Feasibility study, ESIA and main design for Cthe Composting Plant in Gjilan which is listed as the priority project in the Integrated Waste Management

Support the Ministry of environment, spatial planning and infrastructure on revising the Kosovo integrated waste management strategy (2021-2030) and the Action plan (2021-2023)

KIWER was part of the team led by RWA tasked with the mid-term revision of the waste management strategy. Project Activities included: Development of recycling targets foreseen/integrated in the draft

The final evaluation of the PROJECT KSV/018INSTITUTIONAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM, MITROVICA REGION (PHASE II)

The water program financed by Lux Dev in the city of Mitrovica and neighboring municipalities Vushtrri, Skenderaj, and Mitrovica North has been evaluated by the project. A risk assessment was