GWOPA/UN-Habitat and BMZ/GIZ Webinar Series 2021
In 2020, GWOPA/UN-Habitat and BMZ/GIZ launched the webinar series Utilities Fight COVID-19. The series will now continue into 2021 showcasing best practices and lessons learned on utility climate action, circular development, and wastewater management. The GWOPA webinars aim to provide a platform to make the experiences and the concrete needs of utilities heard and seen, and to facilitate global exchange by bringing operators of different regions together.
The first two webinars will showcase and discuss examples from utility perspectives in preparing for, responding to, and fighting climate change challenges and their impacts on water supply, water and wastewater infrastructure, and utility staff.
Vol. I – Flood and Drought – Wednesday, 9 June, 13.30-15.00 CEST
Vol. II – Heat and Wildfire – Wednesday, 16 June, 13.30-15.00 CEST
The webinars will be simultaneously translated into English, French and Spanish.
Cities and communities worldwide are increasingly suffering the effects of climate-related weather hazards, such as floods, droughts, sea level rise, heatwaves, landslides, and violent storms. Yet many water and sanitation utilities are not sufficiently prepared to handle these risks. Infrastructure currently designed under historical climate conditions is more vulnerable to future weather extremes and climate change.
The GWOPA webinars aim to provide a platform to make the experiences and the concrete needs of utilities heard and seen, and to facilitate global exchange by bringing operators of different regions together.
The series will inform preparations for the 4th Global WOPs Congress, to be held from 18-29 October 2021. Sessions will also initiate a discussion on the role of Water Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs) in supporting utilities’ responses and preparedness to climate change impacts.