Financing Green Infrastructure: Innovative Strategies for Urban Resilience and Water Management | Our Future Water Newsletter
Welcome to this week’s edition of the “Our Future Water” newsletter. In this issue, we focus on Financing and Incentivizing Green Infrastructure. As urban areas grow and climate change intensifies, the need for sustainable water management solutions has never been more pressing. Discover how innovative financial mechanisms are leveraged to build and support green infrastructure that manages water quality, enhances urban resilience, and restores natural environments.
Insights
Cities Using Environmental Impact Bonds to Build Green Infrastructure
Cities worldwide are increasingly turning to Environmental Impact Bonds (EIBs) as an innovative financing mechanism to build green infrastructure that enhances resilience and manages water quality. By raising capital for projects such as green roofs, permeable pavements, and urban wetlands, EIBs help reduce stormwater runoff and mitigate flood risks while providing environmental benefits and cost savings by decreasing reliance on costly grey infrastructure. This approach aligns investor interests with public goals by linking financial returns to measurable environmental outcomes, fostering a collaborative strategy in urban water management. As a performance-based funding strategy, EIBs enable cities to enhance their natural environments while managing water resources more sustainably. Discover how the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority used an EIB to build green infrastructure that improves water quality, boosts resilience, and restores the environment.
Stormwater Fees to Incentivize Decentralized Rainwater Management Systems
As cities face the challenges of increased rainfall and stormwater runoff due to climate change, stormwater fees are emerging as an effective tool to promote decentralized rainwater management. By imposing fees based on the impervious surface area of properties, municipalities encourage property owners to adopt green solutions like rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable pavements, which reduce runoff and filter pollutants before they reach waterways. These fees generate revenue for cities and incentivize sustainable practices among property owners. These decentralized solutions alleviate the strain on ageing urban infrastructure and support a more resilient, sustainable water management framework. Explore how Berlin encourages businesses to adopt nature-based solutions on their premises through its Berlin Strategy for Biodiversity Preservation, promoting environmental restoration and decentralized rainwater management.
Water Utilities Issuing Green Bonds to Fund Nature-Based Solutions
Water utilities are increasingly issuing green bonds to fund nature-based solutions that tackle water supply and quality issues. These bonds finance projects like wetland restoration, riparian buffers, and reforestation, which help manage water flow and enhance ecosystem services. By investing in green infrastructure, utilities can reduce dependence on traditional, costly grey infrastructure and adapt better to climate change. Green bonds attract socially responsible investors interested in supporting sustainable development while earning returns. This strategy promotes innovation in water management and contributes to broader climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, enhancing city resilience against environmental challenges. Read how Anglian Water issued the first public sector Green Bond to fund innovative water management and ecosystem restoration projects.
Communities
In addition to subscribing to the newsletter, many professionals have joined Our Future Water's various communities.
Urban Water Security, Our Future Water, Circular Water Economy, Blue-Green Infrastructure, Nature-Based Solutions, Climate Resilient Water Resources Management, Water Governance, Global Climate Solutions
Water-Food Nexus Webinar Series
Join the "Water-Food Nexus: The Future of Water and Food Security" webinar series by EIT Food and Our Future Water!
Recommended by LinkedIn
Call for Chapter Contributions: Palgrave Handbook of Ecosystems and Human Well-Being
Contribute a Chapter to The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Sustainable Resources and Ecosystem Resilience
Join the New Climate Solutions Technology Directory: Elevate Yourself or Your Business Today
Promote yourself or your business and connect globally with the new Climate Solutions Technology Directory. Showcase your expertise in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and more. Join our diverse community to attract new customers, drive growth, and elevate your business. Create your listing in just 90 seconds!
Water Management, Sustainable Development and Policy, and Climate Resilience Online Courses
New Book Release: Water Resources Management: Innovative and Green Solutions (Robert C. Brears)
Water resource management involves planning, developing, distributing, and managing available water resources. As population growth, urbanization, and climate change continue to rise, effective water management becomes increasingly critical. This book offers innovative solutions to current and future water conservation and quality protection challenges.
30% Discount on Financing Water Security and Green Growth (Oxford University Press)
Leading Water Conservation, Sustainable Urban Greening & Food Production at WaterUps® | 80% Less Water, 50% More Growth | Innovating for a Greener Future
1moSuch an insightful read! It’s exciting to see how cities are using financial tools like Environmental Impact Bonds and green bonds to fund green infrastructure and improve water management. These innovative strategies are key to building more resilient cities and promoting environmental sustainability. At WaterUps, we’ve seen how sustainable water management can transform urban spaces—our wicking systems conserve up to 80% water while supporting green infrastructure and urban greening. It’s inspiring to see the growing focus on financing these vital projects! 🌍💧
Founder, Indoor Vertical Farming financed with Green Bonds
2mo20% of all Food GHG emissions are created by moving food from where it's grown to where it's eaten. 1) Growing food in cities in Indoor Vertical Farms reduces these GHGs. 2) Indoor Vertical Farms uses 1% of the space used by field agriculture, 3) Indoor Vertical Farms provides climate proof reliable food security, and 4) Indoor Vertical Farming uses 5% of the water used by Field Farming. The Farms are being financed with Green Bonds. DM me for details.