Climte Change & Water – Ecasitraining

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER

COURSE BACKGROUND

Climate change is fundamentally altering the global hydrological cycle, manifesting as more intense and frequent droughts, devastating floods, unpredictable rainfall patterns, glacier melt, and sea-level rise. These impacts directly threaten water security, ecosystem health, and socio-economic stability worldwide. In East Africa, including Kenya, the effects are particularly acute, exacerbating existing water stress, impacting agricultural productivity, increasing water-borne diseases, and displacing communities. Effectively managing water resources in a changing climate requires a deep understanding of these complex interactions, the ability to assess vulnerabilities, and the development of robust adaptation and mitigation strategies. Professionals across various sectors urgently need to build their capacity to integrate climate considerations into water policy, planning, and management to build resilience and ensure sustainable development.

ECAS Institute offers this “Climate Change and Water” course to equip decision-makers, technical experts, planners, and practitioners with the essential knowledge and practical skills to understand, analyze, and respond to the intricate challenges posed by climate change on water resources. This program will provide a comprehensive framework for climate-resilient water management, focusing on actionable strategies for adaptation, mitigation, and building long-term water security in a warming world.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain the mechanisms through which climate change impacts the water cycle and water resources (quantity, quality, variability).
Identify and assess vulnerabilities of water systems and communities to climate change impacts, particularly in regional contexts.
Develop and implement climate change adaptation strategies for the water sector, including both structural and non-structural measures.
Understand the interlinkages between water and climate change mitigation efforts (e.g., hydropower, water-energy nexus).
Apply tools and methodologies for climate risk assessment and scenario planning in water resource management.
Integrate climate considerations into water policies, plans, and investment decisions at various governance levels.
Foster inter-sectoral collaboration and stakeholder engagement for effective climate-resilient water management.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This course will provide you with a critical and actionable understanding of the profound relationship between climate change and water resources, empowering you to contribute to resilient water futures. You will learn to:

Interpret climate data and projections relevant to water resource planning and management.
Conduct vulnerability assessments for water infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities to climate variability and change.
Design and implement “no-regrets” adaptation measures that provide benefits regardless of future climate scenarios.
Identify opportunities for water-related climate change mitigation, such as optimizing energy use in water systems or promoting green infrastructure.
Utilize risk assessment frameworks to prioritize and manage climate-related water risks (e.g., floods, droughts).
Formulate climate-proof water policies and integrate them into broader development plans.
Facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues to build consensus on climate-resilient water strategies.
Explore innovative technologies and nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation in the water sector.
Access and leverage climate finance opportunities for water-related projects.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

This is a structured training course designed to provide a deep dive into the complex interactions between climate change and water. The program will feature a blend of expert lectures, interactive workshops, practical case studies (drawing heavily on regional challenges and solutions from East Africa), hands-on exercises with data (where applicable), and group discussions. Emphasis will be placed on translating scientific understanding into actionable policy and management decisions. The detailed program schedule, including specific session timings and learning activities, will be communicated upon registration.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is crucial for professionals and decision-makers whose work intersects with water resources and climate change, particularly those involved in planning, policy, and implementation. It is highly beneficial for:

Water Resource Managers and Planners
Climate Change Adaptation Specialists
Environmental Scientists and Managers
Hydrologists and Climatologists
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Practitioners
Government Officials from ministries of Water, Environment, Agriculture, Planning, and Energy.
NGO and International Organization Staff working on climate change, WASH, and sustainable development.
Urban Planners and Municipal Engineers
Academics and Researchers in related fields.
Community Development Workers focusing on resilience building.

TRAINING MODULES

The course is structured to provide a comprehensive and progressive understanding of the interplay between climate change and water:

No	Module	Details
1.	Understanding Climate Change Fundamentals	This module provides an essential overview of climate science, observed changes, future projections, and key concepts relevant to water resources. Key Topics: The Greenhouse Effect and global warming Observed climate trends and projections (IPCC reports) Climate models and their uncertainties Key climate change terminology: Mitigation vs. Adaptation, Vulnerability, Resilience Introduction to global and regional climate change impacts.
2.	Impacts of Climate Change on Water Resources (Quantity and Quality)	This module delves into the specific ways climate change affects freshwater availability, distribution, and quality across different hydrological components. Key Topics: Changes in precipitation patterns: Intensity, frequency, seasonality Impacts on surface water: River flows, lake levels, flood frequencies, drought severity Impacts on groundwater: Recharge rates, aquifer depletion, saltwater intrusion (coastal areas) Glacier and snowmelt dynamics and their effect on water supply (where relevant) Climate change impacts on water quality: Temperature, pollution dilution, eutrophication Regional impacts (e.g., East Africa): Increased droughts, floods, shrinking lakes.
3.	Vulnerability Assessment and Risk Analysis for Water Systems	This module equips participants with methodologies to assess how vulnerable water resources and dependent communities are to climate change, and how to quantify associated risks. Key Topics: Concepts of vulnerability, exposure, and sensitivity in the water sector Methodologies for conducting climate vulnerability assessments (e.g., participatory approaches, indicator-based) Climate risk assessment frameworks and tools for water infrastructure and communities Identifying critical thresholds and tipping points in water systems Mapping climate-water hotspots and prioritizing interventions.
4.	Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for the Water Sector	This module focuses on developing and implementing a range of strategies to adapt water management practices to the changing climate, ensuring long-term water security. Key Topics: Principles of climate change adaptation in water management Structural adaptation measures: Climate-proof infrastructure (dams, dikes, efficient irrigation) Non-structural adaptation measures: Policy adjustments, early warning systems, demand management, water conservation Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) for water: Wetlands restoration, sustainable land management Water management for drought and flood resilience.
5.	Module 5: Water’s Role in Climate Change Mitigation	While primarily an adaptation challenge, this module explores how the water sector can contribute to broader climate change mitigation efforts. Key Topics: Energy efficiency in water supply and wastewater treatment Role of hydropower in renewable energy generation Sustainable wastewater management and biogas production Protecting water-related carbon sinks (e.g., peatlands, mangroves) Policies and incentives for low-carbon water management.
6.	Governance, Policy, and Finance for Climate-Resilient Water Management	This module explores the institutional, legal, and financial mechanisms required to integrate climate change considerations into water governance effectively. Key Topics: Integrating climate change into national water policies and plans Institutional coordination and cross-sectoral collaboration (e.g., water, agriculture, energy, environment) Legal and regulatory frameworks for climate adaptation in water Climate finance mechanisms for water projects (e.g., Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund) Public-Private Partnerships and innovative financing models for resilience.
7.	Case Studies, Tools, and Future Pathways	This module brings together theoretical concepts through practical application, showcasing real-world examples, and exploring emerging tools and future directions. Key Topics: Application of climate change scenarios in water planning Decision-making under uncertainty in water management Digital tools for climate-water analysis (e.g., climate modeling outputs, GIS for vulnerability mapping) Case studies of successful climate-resilient water projects (e.g., specific basin-level adaptations, urban resilience initiatives in Africa) Community-based adaptation in water and future research priorities.

TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

GENERAL NOTES

Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.

ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.