Nature-based solutions have the potential to cost-effectively address growing water security issues in thousands of water basins around the world while providing a variety of co-benefits to nature and people. There is an urgent need to scale these solutions globally, but nature-based solutions are still not on the same playing field as grey solutions in terms of knowledge and funding. Progress is, in part, slowed by the complexity and time required to demonstrate a nature-based solution portfolio’s positive return on investment for water security outcomes. The WaterProof platform was designed to address this hurdle by drastically reducing the time and money needed to conduct a pre-feasibility level ROI assessment from tens of thousands of dollars, and months of time, to no cost and results within minutes.
This session will provide introductory training on the use of the WaterProof platform for utilities and other users. This freely available open-source platform allows the user to perform a rapid ROI assessment of nature-based solutions for addressing water security issues anywhere in the world. Users will gain inside knowledge of the tool’s features, including how to adapt parameters to improve the accuracy of local applications. Trainers will work with attendees on applying real-life case studies to the platform and provide guidance on maximizing the tool’s capabilities.
Objectives:
• Deeper understanding of how NbS can address water security issues and provide a positive ROI
• Knowledge of the WaterProof platform, including what features are available and how to customize parameters and cost functions
• Experience applying the platform to a case study
• Clarity on how to use the results to inform decisions, influence others, and initiate action
