An Outline of the EBRD’s Approach to the Water Sector.pdf

Presented at the 11th roundtable on financing water in Brussels, Belgium on 30-31 May, 2024.

Intervention by David Tyler, Associate Director – Head of PPI Unit, Sustainable Infrastructure Group, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

1. OFFICIAL USE
OFFICIAL USE
An Outline of the EBRD’s Approach to the Water Sector
May 2024

2. OFFICIAL USE
OFFICIAL USE
Climate change will amplify water related events
Growing demand for services and a backlog of
legacy under-investment
The water sector is not always seen as an
investment priority
There are often regulatory and governance
barriers that also constrain the sector
It is a sector that increasingly falls short of the
skills it needs
Fragile systems are further strained with mass
displacements of people
Challenges in the water sector
A

3. OFFICIAL USE
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Continue to
invest in new,
rehabilitation,
modernisation,
and expansion of
water and
wastewater etc.
infrastructure
Enhance the
operational and
financial
performance of
water services
Support the
transition to a
green and
circular water
economy
Foster regional
cooperation and
integration for
water security
Build resilience
and
inclusiveness in
the water sector
The EBRD aims to improve access to better water
sector services through the following ….
B

4. OFFICIAL USE
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EBRD Green Cities
Delivery of strategy and policy support
Green City Action Plans (GCAP)
Policy dialogue
Facilitating and stimulating Green City
infrastructure investments
Building capacity of city administrators
and key stakeholders
€5 billion framework to support cities to identify,
benchmark, prioritise and invest in Green City measures
to improve urban environmental performance through:
Urban Transport
District Energy
Solid Waste
Renewable Energy
Smart solutions
Water & Wastewater
Building Energy Efficiency
Distribution network
Street Lighting
Climate Change Resilience
Nature Based Solutions
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Supporting access to green finance
C
Projects
Signed89
60
Cities
Follow-on
45

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Case Studies
GrCF2 W1- Chisinau River Bic Rehab. & Flood Protection (Moldova)
D
Sludge
Treatment
Sludge
DisposalGrit & Screenings
EUR 8 million loan and grant funds to implement the first phase of interventions
designed to mitigate the risk of the Bic River flooding; better safeguarding 2,100
people, properties and commerce from the negative impact of severe flooding which
is expected to become more harmful through the predicted impact of climate
change, specifically with more intense, short duration rainfall events. The project will
additionally aid restoration of the natural environment and improve water quality of
the river, which is essential for regenerating the river corridor.
The Project will finance a set of integrated flood water management measures
that collectively improve the management of urban-generated storm water run-off
and its interaction with the Bic River; a blend of solutions that help reduce flooding
risk through better attenuation and conveyance of rain and river water, ranging from
i) restoring existing storm drains, ii) piloting sustainable urban drainage solutions
(retrofitting of 90 rain gardens and 85 tree pits), iii) installation of flap valves, iv)
purchase of a digital tools (topographic and asset surveys and a hydraulic model) to
(v) the re-grading of river sections to increase capacity.
oEcologically sensitive high flow channel to accommodate storm water
conveyance and a low flow channel that will improve the water quality
oUse of nature-based solutions that help the City to adapt to the increasing
rainfall, aid air cooling though shading, and create habitats.
Project
Objectives
Features
Signed - Feb 2023

6. OFFICIAL USE
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Opportunities in the Water Sector
Adopt more sustainable water management practices:
oi) encourage better water conservation and efficiency through ‘demand-side’ interventions
including water loss reduction, metering, price incentives etc.,
oii) utilise waste streams (where it is cost efficient to do so),
oiii) consider managing water resources in a more coordinated manner,
oiv) embrace ‘blue’, ‘green’ infrastructure with conventional ‘grey’ including nature positive
approaches
Apply latest, tested innovations including digitalisation that accelerate efficiency, performance
and resilience gains
Implement energy generation, energy saving and energy management solutions
Facilitate increased use of the private sector
Rebuild infrastructure and systems in a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive manner
E