The impacts of climate change are mainly felt through changes in the water cycle. As rainfall patterns shift, droughts intensify, floods become more frequent, and water quality deteriorates, ensuring reliable water and sanitation services has become one of the defining adaptation challenges of our time. Water professionals increasingly need practical tools to assess climate risks, strengthen resilience, and integrate adaptation into planning and investment decisions. The World Bank led MDB initiative Water Forward will only succeed when investment and governance of water services for people, food, economy, and nature are climate risk informed.

The Climate Resilient Water Services Masterclass, developed by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) in partnership with IRC WASH, is a practical capacity-building programme that equips water professionals with the knowledge and tools to integrate climate resilience into planning, decision-making and service delivery.
Designed for government officials, utilities, regulators, service providers and development practitioners, the Masterclass combines practical guidance, real-world examples and interactive learning to help participants strengthen the resilience of water and sanitation services.
 
The programme equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills to:
– Understand how climate change affects water resources and service delivery.
– Assess climate risks and vulnerabilities across water and sanitation systems.
– Identify and prioritise adaptation and resilience measures.
-Integrate climate resilience into water infrastructure planning and investment.
– Apply practical tools, case studies, and decision-making frameworks to strengthen service delivery.
– Build institutional capacity to train colleagues and mainstream climate adaptation within their organisations.
 
The materials can be adapted to different national contexts and have already been piloted through a Training of Trainers programme in Kenya, with future implementation planned across Africa and beyond.