Climate Risk Adaptation, Planning and Actions

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WSP helps clients assess and plan for the full spectrum of climate risks, and then holistically develop and implement critical climate solutions in tandem that are fully integrated with broader operational strategies. We can help integrate climate-informed decision-making into your planning processes and development, locking in resilience and sustainability for the long term.

Climate resilience for communities, infrastructure and essential services

As the impacts of the climate crisis intensify, organizations across all sectors must understand, assess and adapt to climate‑related risks. WSP helps clients plan for and respond to the full spectrum of climate risks, embedding resilience and sustainability into long‑term strategies, planning and decision‑making.

We integrate climate‑informed decision‑making into planning and development processes, helping organizations demonstrate credible sustainability stewardship, strengthen resilience and meet increasing regulatory, investor and community expectations.

Managing climate risk with resilience in mind

Public and private sector organizations are increasingly required to assess, quantify and disclose climate risks, including under frameworks such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). WSP supports clients through greenhouse gas benchmarking, climate risk and vulnerability assessments, scenario analysis and science-based target setting, providing clear, consistent and decision-ready information.

We support the prioritization of adaptation actions using economic and investment analysis. This helps clients understand potential policy requirements, cost impact, benefits, trade-offs and financial viability funding agencies with clear, comparable and consistent information. It will also demonstrate the strength of their sustainability ambitions and climate risk preparedness to investors, shareholders and other stakeholders, as globally we accelerate our efforts to secure a greener, cleaner and more resilient future.

Of all the indicators of climate change, water - our reliance on, exposure to, and use of - is perhaps the most palpable. Every establishment is fundamentally dependent to varying degrees on water, of the right quality, across their assets, networks and systems. Having in the past taken its availability for granted, growing water scarcity and disruption to supplies can have major repercussions on operations on multiple levels. In addition, the risks from extreme water-related weather events, e.g., drought, flooding, storms, sea level rise, are also rising. In short, water supply and management is becoming increasingly precariously balanced in a majority of regions, with implications not just for our clients but also the communities in which they operate.

Water stewardship at the heart of climate adaptation

Water-related risks, including drought, flooding, sea level rise and water quality impacts, represent some of the most significant and tangible consequences of climate change. WSP helps organizations place water stewardship at the core of their climate strategies, strengthening operational resilience, safeguarding communities and protecting essential services.

Our water stewardship support extends beyond asset‑level resilience. We help clients plan and prioritize water adaptation at catchment, regional and national scales, balancing flood and drought risk, water security, ecosystem health and long‑term service continuity.

Unlocking opportunities through integrated solutions

Climate challenges cannot be addressed in isolation. WSP’s multidisciplinary teams integrate water‑focused climate adaptation measures with wider operational, sustainability and climate strategies.

By combining water, engineering, economic, policy and advisory expertise, we support the development of costed adaptation programs, funding strategies and institutional arrangements that enable resilient water systems to be planned, delivered and sustained over time. Our services also include monitoring and evaluation frameworks that help clients track the effectiveness of water adaptation measures and adapt strategies as risks, conditions and regulatory expectations evolve.

Core services include:

National adaptation planning and policy development
Climate risk and vulnerability assessments
Climate adaptation and resilience planning for critical infrastructure and services
Climate risk and adaptation transparency (monitoring, verification and reporting)
Economic appraisal of adaptation and resilience options
Costed adaptation and resilience programs
Prioritization of adaptation investments under constrained funding
Monitoring, evaluation and adaptive management of climate actions
TCFD‑aligned climate risk disclosure support
GHG benchmarking and climate metrics
Integration of climate adaptation into capital planning and investment decisions

Why WSP

We work with governments, regulators, infrastructure owners and communities to deliver climate-resilient solutions that support long-term service continuity, environmental protection and social resilience. Our integrated approach helps clients move from understanding risk to prioritizing investment, delivering solutions and tracking outcomes over time.

We also support the integration of climate risks into policy, governance and disclosure processes, ensuring adaptation priorities are embedded within wider climate, resilience and sustainability decision-making.

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Insights

Webinars

Incorporating Climate Change and Resilience in Human and Ecological Risk Assessments

Assessing Climate Risks to Commercial Enterprises and Prioritizing Mitigation Actions

Water Data Management in a Climate Change Perspective – Experiences from Denmark

Digital platforms

Our digital platforms perform a critical role in underpinning our advice and services. These world-leading tools allow us to collaborate across design teams, as well as with clients and the communities they serve; ultimately delivering stronger designs and advice.

Floodly

Using machine learning to predict river levels and flood risk.

WSP’s Floodly uses machine learning to predict river levels and flood risk. Its rapid predictions complement traditional hydraulic modelling, which can be slower, more costly and challenging to apply in complex urban catchments.

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Smart Drains

Sensor-based drains to mitigate flood risk and boost resilience.

Smart Drain fits ultrasonic sensors in high-flood-risk gullies, sending real-time silt and flow data to IoT dashboards and flagging blockages so crews can clear the right drains at the right time.

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Related projects

United Kingdom

How smart drains are creating a more resilient Wokingham

Through a partnership with WSP, Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) is exploiting the latest sensor-based technology to build its resilience to the effects of climate change, including mitigating flood risk with future-ready drains.

United Kingdom

Floodly machine-learning flood prediction tool

The product of our research and development, Floodly uses machine learning methods to predict river levels and predict flood risk using only precipitation data. Floodly’s rapid predictions complement traditional hydraulic modelling, which can be slower and more costly to apply. It is also challenging in complex urban catchments.

Apalachicola Bay, Florida, USA

Franklin-98 Living Shorelines

Using nature-based solutions and habitat restoration to build coastal resilience and protects critical infrastructure.

Staten Island, New York, USA

Living Breakwaters Coastal Resilience

An innovative living infrastructure solution, incorporating a necklace of offshore breakwaters, aims to reduce coastal erosion, revive ecologies, and connect the community to the Staten Island shoreline.

New York, USA

Sleepy Hollow East Parcel Climate Resilient Redevelopment Plan

This urban renewal project aims to transform a flood-prone former industrial site into a multi-purpose space using resiliency strategies to adapt to a changing climate.

Roma, Italy

Climate resilient airports

As the impacts of climate change are increasingly recognized, it is essential for companies, especially those managing and developing strategic infrastructures, to quickly implement tangible commitments and produce concrete strategies with precise planning. Aeroporti di Roma, with support from WSP in Italia, has proactively developed a strategy to mitigate the risks associated with climate change.

Florida, United States

Stormwater Management in the Everglades

The C-44 Reservoir/Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) covers roughly 6,300 acres in Central and South Florida. The massive, groundbreaking project implemented by South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is a critical part of a long-term plan to restore, protect and preserve the water and natural resources of one of the most unique environments on earth.

United Kingdom

A grand affair: how England’s longest canal could help solve the South East’s growing water resource problem

WSP is working with Affinity Water, Severn Trent Water & the Canal & River Trust to explore how the Grand Union Canal, could provide a future, more resilient, water supply for people and the environment.

Denver, Colorado, USA

Water Utilities Climate Risk Assessment and Adaptation

WSP collaborated with forward-looking water utilities to test, update and refine a model framework to integrate climate change risks and adaptation strategies into key business practices.

The Turcot interchange, roads and highways view from above, Montréal, Québec, Canada | WSP

Montréal, Canada

Turcot Interchange – Dynamic and smart stormwater management

The project included construction of numerous water management structures, including surface retention ponds, line retention, flow controllers and two pump stations.

Christchurch, New Zealand

Urban Creek Waterway Visions, Christchurch

Our water resources and flood risk management team is using water-led approaches to envision improvements for the social, cultural and environmental value of urban creek catchments in Christchurch.

Brisbane, Australia

Kangaroo Point Bridge

This new active transport bridge over the Brisbane River is greatly improving walking, wheeling, and riding connections between the Brisbane Central Business District, Kangaroo Point, and the Eastern Suburbs.

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Climate Risk Adaptation, Planning and Actions

Climate Risk Adaptation, Planning and Actions

Climate resilience for communities, infrastructure and essential services

Managing climate risk with resilience in mind

Water stewardship at the heart of climate adaptation

Unlocking opportunities through integrated solutions

Why WSP

Insights

Water: Climate Change Brings New Risks for Industry

The New Shape of Water: Adapting to Climate Change

Water Resilience: the Missing Piece in Dealing With Climate Change

Planning for Climate Change and Water Resilience