CONCEPT NOTE

TRAINING ON CLIMATE RESILEINT INFRASTRACTURE

VENUE: FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON, NAIROBI, KENYA

DATES: 17^th June – 25^th June 2024

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1. BACKGROUND

Since 1994, there has been a global consensus that climate change is increasingly becoming human’s greatest threat in recent times. The UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement are supporting rising levels of national ambition. The Paris Agreement, adopted under the UNFCCC, with near universal participation, has led to policy development and target-setting at national and sub-national levels, in particular in relation to mitigation, as well as enhanced transparency of climate action and support.

The Synthesis Report (SYR) of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) shows that continued greenhouse gas emissions will lead to increasing global warming, with the best estimate of reaching 1.5°C in the near term in considered scenarios and modelled pathways. Every increment of global warming will intensify multiple and concurrent hazards. Deep, rapid, and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions would lead to a discernible slowdown in global warming within around two decades, and also to discernible changes in atmospheric composition within a few years.

The impacts of climate change on infrastructure and communities is increasingly evident, and the cost-benefit of proactive adaptation is clear. Climate change is already affecting Africa’s infrastructure, and the continent is projected to spend over $150 billion to repair and maintain damaged roads. Climate change impacts include:

1. Flooding: Can be catastrophic for communication, food security, and the economy
2. Drought: Can cause soil cracking, which can damage building foundations
3. Bushfires: Can destroy infrastructure, block transportation, and cut off services
4. Temperature and precipitation changes: Can damage roads
5. Higher temperatures and aridity: Can threaten water storage capacities, damage infrastructure, and harm agricultural land

To ensure road spending delivers the best possible return and brings lasting development benefits, it is critical that investment plans take into account the consequences of a changing climate, as road assets are particularly vulnerable to climate stressors such as higher temperatures, increased precipitation, or flooding. Virtually all models show that weather extremes will indeed put considerable pressure on Africa’s Road system. The damage and accelerated aging of roads caused by climate change will require increased maintenance and more frequent rehabilitation. Aside from higher maintenance and rehabilitation costs, climate-related damage to the road infrastructure will also cause more frequent disruptions to the movement of people and goods, with direct consequences on economic productivity. Fortunately, there are effective ways of adapting new roads and modifying existing ones to enhance climate resilience.

It is in context that the Environmental Capacities and Sustainability Institute (ECAS Institute) have designed and planned a ten-days training course in recognition that the establishment and operationalization of human capacities are essential for an effective approach addressing climate change and related development needs. This is very crucial because all levels of society need to be aware of mechanisms to reduce poverty through their contribution to solving environmental problems. In this regard, training and updating knowledge of key experts is one of the logical approaches to realize the ambitious targets of emission reduction and capitalizing on carbon investment to spur sustainable development.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

The overall objective of the training program is to help infrastructure practitioners strengthen the knowledge and competencies they require to advance more climate-resilient approaches for the planning, design and management of infrastructures. Specifically, the training will seek to:

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  Understand the concept of climate resilient infrastructure as a cornerstone for sustainable development.
• Become aware of the importance of resilient infrastructure and understand key challenges and bottlenecks.
• Gain insight into local capacity constraints and structural constraints based on specific examples/situations in both developed and developing countries.
• Learn about international standards for resilient infrastructure development and understand criteria that help to make infrastructure more sustainable and resilient.
• Get to know further tools and instruments to assess and evaluate climate resilient infrastructure projects, and learn when and how to apply them.
• Better understand the dynamics and interactions between the planning, implementing, and financing climate resilience in Africa.
• Become aware of the importance of the green procurement and contracting in order to legally ensure the sustainability of projects.
• Gain knowledge and expertise on designing and implementing climate resilient infrastructure projects on hilly and mountainous landscapes.

3. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• Key concepts around climate adaptation, risk and resilient infrastructure.
• Concept of climate resilient infrastructure as a cornerstone for sustainable development.
• The importance of resilient infrastructure and understand key challenges and bottlenecks.
• Local capacity constraints and structural constraints based on specific examples/situations in both developed and developing countries.
• International standards for resilient infrastructure development and understand criteria that help to make infrastructure more sustainable and resilient.
• Tools and instruments to assess and evaluate climate resilient infrastructure projects, and learn when and how to apply them.
• Dynamics and interactions between the planning, implementing, and financing climate resilience in Africa.
• Designing and implementing climate resilient infrastructure projects on hilly and mountainous landscapes.

4. DURATION AND PROGRAM

The workshop will be held in seven (7) days inclusive of field work to climate resilient feeder roads. The training will be held in Nairobi Kenya from 17^th -25^th June 2024. The venue will be at the Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Hurlingham.

5. TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This training and professional development course may be of interest to engineers involved in the planning, procurement, design, operation, maintenance, management or regulation of infrastructure and who need to consider climate risk, resilience, and the changing climate in carrying out these activities.

6. TRAINING MODULES

7. TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through power point presentations, 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 teaching 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. Power point presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

9. 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 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 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.

TRAINING PROGRAMME

CLIMATE RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

VENUE: NAIROBI, KENYA

DATES: 17^TH – 25^TH JUNE 2024

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