Mott MacDonald is developing 16 evidence-based case studies for the World Bank’s Water Global Practice (WGP). The research will demonstrate how climate change risks are being accounted for in the planning and operations of urban water and sanitation service utilities around the world, primarily in developing countries.
Despite impressive gains over recent decades, at least 663 million people currently lack access to safe drinking water, while 2.4 billion people lack access to improved sanitation. This leads to approximately 675,000 premature deaths annually and estimated annual economic losses of up to 7% of gross domestic product in some countries.
Mott MacDonald will develop the case studies which will help the WGP improve its advice to urban water supply and sanitation utilities. This will aim to make their assets and operations more resilient to future climate stresses, such as increased rainfall intensity, drought, rising sea levels and storm surges. Once complete, the consultancy will analyse the case studies to offer an improved understanding of climate resilience best practices and opportunities. Mott MacDonald will then present the findings to the WGP to help them improve their advice to the utilities, enabling them to provide more reliable services to their customers.
Doug Hinrichs, Mott MacDonald’s team leader, said: “The world will not be able to meet the great development challenges of the 21st century, such as food and energy security, livable cities and climate change, without improving how countries manage their water resources and allow people access to reliable water and sanitation services.”
Mott MacDonald’s commission is due to come to an end by the middle of 2017.