Climate Action 2012-2013

AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND WATER
heating and air conditioning systems, high
efficiency lighting and centralised energy
management systems; it would now involve
the design and installation of equipment that
enhance water conservation and improve and
implement water efficiency.
Most importantly, the W-ESCo approach would
allow a corporate or municipal water user to
amortise its energy and water retrofit costs in
order to realise savings at a more expedient pace.
Additionally, a number of the existing ESCos
that are ripe to evolve into a W-ESC'o have
the ability to bring upfront funding to energywater
efficiency initiatives. These W-ESCos
would then be paid (for the loans as well as their
fees) via the financial savings achieved from the
implementation of more efficient water and
energy systems. There is a clear-cut role for the
W-ESCo that brings technology and engineering
know-how as well as financing resources to a
given energy-water project, particularly a project
that can help mitigate the spread of global
warming and climate change.
PROACTIVE CO-OPERATION NEEDED
The water and energy industry sectors still have
a long way to go when it comes to establishing a
proactive working relationship that can collectively
address and deliver improved energy and water
efficiency initiatives – ones that will improve
the amount of energy used in the operations of
water and wastewater systems around the world,
as well as improve water use within the cooling
operations of energy/electricity production. It is
gratifyingly impressive that the US wastewater
sector has already begun to embrace not only
energy conservation but energy production, and is
currently working towards systems that are energy
neutral or net energy producers.
In conclusion, as observed by Governor
Dannel P Malloy (CT) who is the past Chair
of the National Governors Association Natural
Resources Committee, “The United States joins
countries around the world that are well into
preparations to address drought, sea level rise,
and other effects of climate change. Supporting
energy efficiency and conservation initiatives,
protecting and hardening infrastructure, and
investing in clean water projects are paramount
to both slowing global heating and preparing for
its impacts. Billions of dollars in federal funding
support statewide efforts, but it is imperative that
states are working through regional collaborations
and public-private partnerships to ensure longterm
progress and sustainability.”
It is important that the water and energy industry
sectors learn to synchronise better to effectively
address and minimise ongoing climate change
evolutions. Progress has been made, but additional
initiatives must be put in place to encourage more
extensive efforts to recognise the energy–water
nexus and embrace the imperative to reduce both
the energy and water footprints of industrial,
corporate, agricultural, and residential operations
around the world. Without the reduction of both
the energy and water footprints, it will be difficult
to effectively arrest the negative impact generated
by the expansion of climate change.
Kathy Shandling is the Executive Director of the
International Private Water Association (IPWA). Ms
Shandling was instrumental in launching the IPWA
Financial Tools Taskforce that has been steadfast in its
support of evolving local currency financing initiatives
for the funding of water/wastewater infrastructure
projects in developing countries. Prior to joining IPWA
in 2000, Ms Shandling held positions at Infrastructure
Finance Magazine, the World Council for Infrastructure
Development, and Global Finance Media.
Jeanette Brown is a Board Certified Environmental
Engineer and a Diplomate in the American Academy
of Water Resources Engineers. She was the first
female elected as the President of the American
Academy of Environmental Engineers (2004) and
the Environmental and Water Resources Institute of
ASCE (2008). She was also President of the Water
Environment Federation (2010-2011). Until 2011,
she was the Executive Director of the Stamford Water
Pollution Control Authority.
The International Private Water Association
(IPWA) was formed in 1999 to address the changing
dynamics that are taking place in individual countries
around the world within the context of the evolving
water/wastewater infrastructure project and service
arena. IPWA serves as a conduit between the public
and private sector players, facilitating effective timely
dialogues that highlight the critical need for speed,
transparency and cost-effectiveness in the development
and operations of global water and wastewater projects.
IPWA is uniquely recognised as one of the few
independent organisations that address, as a central part
of its mission, the potential expanding role of the private
sector as a viable partner to governments and parastatals
within the global water/wastewater arena.
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