PARA-Agua, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and implemented by AECOM, partnered with scientists, decision-makers and communities across the region to strengthen their watershed management and planning capabilities, with the aim of improving water security and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change.
The project was awarded a 2017 Project Merit Award for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience from the Climate Change Business Journal (CCBJ) in recognition for our role as key leaders in the climate change sphere, as part of the critical work we do around the globe. Additional information about the award can be found here.
Selected Outcomes
- Strengthened the capacity of 46 institutions to use climate adaptation strategies through innovative climate scenario modeling tools and methodologies, including down-scaled, high-resolution hydro-meteorological data for improved watershed management and planning.
- Provided key support in the design and formation of four water funds in Peru and Colombia, and supported the structuring of 5 Payment for Environmental Services (PES) projects valued at USD 24 million under the Consejo Nacional de Política Económica y Social (CONPES) of Colombia.
- Supported the preparation of climate change adaptation proposals to secure funding for increased investments on green infrastructure solutions to improve water security in target watersheds of Peru.
- Improved the capacity of 16 women’s groups in Colombia and Peru to adapt to climate change.
- Finalized the design of a hydro-climatological monitoring system for the Guatapuri River watershed in Colombia with the potential to save an estimated 500,000 people from the impacts of climate change.
- Disseminated best practices in adaptation to climate change through an online Community of Practice called “Science for Adaptation”; reaching more than 35,000 individuals in 50 countries.