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The guide provides a structured approach based on the XLRM framework to assess investments in water supply systems. It emphasizes comparing 'environmental additional investments' (IAA) against traditional infrastructure and efficiency measures. Using two Colombian case studies (Río Chinchiná and Río Chicamocha), the document demonstrates how nature-based solutions like ecosystem restoration can improve water regulation and increase low-flow (Q95) availability, thereby reducing the gap between water supply and demand. It also analyzes the Colombian regulatory framework, specifically Resolution CRA 907 of 2019, which allows certain environmental costs to be recovered through tariffs.

The analysis finds that Rwanda's economy is highly vulnerable to water supply fluctuations and a heavy reliance on run-of-river hydropower. While the 'Vision 2050' growth trajectory would increase water demand by 1140%, the 'Water Resilient Vision 2050' (WRes2050) scenario suggests that combining a reduction in hydropower dependence (from 40% to 20%) with diversified supply- and demand-side interventions can maintain GDP growth while reducing water-related losses. Key recommendations include tripling water storage from 100 to 300 MCM, improving irrigation efficiency, and establishing Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES).

The report examines the global cotton market, highlighting the growth of VSS-compliant cotton, which reached 25%–26% of total production by 2019. It details the vulnerabilities of cotton farmers to climate change and market volatility, noting that farmers often receive less than 10% of a garment's retail price. The document argues for better price transparency, long-term contracts, and the internalization of external costs to ensure living incomes for smallholders.

The Green Affordable Housing Finance instrument uses a two-pronged approach—a Guarantee Facility and an Enabling Environment Facility—to unlock local private finance for sustainable housing. It addresses the 'chicken-and-egg' problem where a lack of mortgage finance for low-income households disincentivizes developers from building affordable homes. The instrument will be piloted in Kenya in 2023, targeting the mobilization of USD 48 million in local loans during the pilot and over USD 400 million long-term. It requires all supported homes to be IFC EDGE certified, ensuring at least 20% reductions in embodied energy, energy use, and water use.

The report evaluates the Paterson Park Precinct's building infrastructure in Johannesburg, comparing a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario with a green building scenario across different climate pathways (RCP 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5). Using the SAVi tool and Copernicus Climate Change Service data, the analysis finds that green buildings significantly reduce life-cycle costs through lower energy and maintenance expenditures and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change primarily increases energy costs and GHG emissions for both scenarios, though the green design remains more cost-effective. Additionally, the report identifies solar PV installations as a highly profitable investment in South Africa, particularly when accounting for electricity price inflation.

Excellent Meat achieved a 30% reduction in water consumption between 2017 and 2020 by implementing smart water flow meters and internal awareness campaigns. These measures, which cost R 360,958, resulted in a total cost saving of R 1,500,312, including water and wastewater costs, yielding an overall benefit of R 1,139,355.

The Century City Urban Square (CCUS), a mixed-use development by Rabie Property Group, utilizes treated effluent (TE) from the Potsdam treatment works for irrigation, cooling tower consumption, and toilet and urinal flushing. This strategy, combined with water-efficient fittings and real-time monitoring, significantly reduces potable water demand and operating costs. In 2017, the CCUS consumed 0.18kl of potable water per annum per m2 of Gross Build Area (GBA), compared to 1.09kl per annum per m2 in a comparable development without these resilience measures. The use of TE offsets approximately 44,000 kl of potable water annually, resulting in R2.3-million in water and sanitation savings based on 2021 tariffs.

The document presents a scenario in Kul-Bayne, Ethiopia, where drought and resource scarcity threaten livelihoods. It outlines a series of proposed resilience measures developed by an Environmental Management Officer, including improved meteorological liaison, community radio weather forecasts, water-saving technologies, women-focused savings and loan schemes, bio-fertiliser kitchen gardens, and disaster risk reduction networks to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves.

The document outlines a simulation where a government worker in Kul-Bayne develops a climate adaptation plan focusing on drought and heatwave resilience. The proposed plan includes improving meteorological liaison, partnering with community radio for forecasts, accessing water-saving technologies, establishing loan schemes for women, creating kitchen gardens, and organizing disaster risk reduction support networks for vulnerable populations.

The document argues that on-site wastewater treatment is a key intervention to mitigate South Africa's projected 30% water supply deficit by 2030. It details the processes for treating organic wastewater (greywater and blackwater) to non-potable standards for uses such as toilet flushing and irrigation. The brief outlines three technology variants—tank assemblies, pre-fabricated systems, and brick-and-mortar constructions—while highlighting operational risks like bacterial die-off due to variable loading. It also maps the regulatory landscape, including the National Water Act (1998) and SANS 30500:2019, and provides case studies from the Western Cape demonstrating cost savings and regulatory compliance.

Shoprite reduced its water use intensity by 8.7% between July 2018 and June 2019 in the Western Cape through a combination of water-saving devices, monitoring systems, and alternative water sourcing, resulting in a monthly saving of 2,528 kilolitres.

The report examines the South African urban water sector, highlighting a projected 17% gap between water supply and demand by 2030. It identifies significant investment opportunities in the agri-processing sector (estimated at R6 billion) and the municipal sector, including wastewater reuse (theoretical potential of R50 billion) and biogas/energy efficiency projects. The document details the regulatory landscape, including the National Water Act and municipal by-laws, and discusses barriers such as low water tariffs, capacity constraints in municipalities, and public perception of reclaimed water.

GreenCape implemented a four-part strategy to support water-intense industries in Cape Town during the 2015-18 drought, focusing on partnerships, prioritisation of high-employment sectors, short-term viable solutions, and long-term capacity building. Between June 2017 and August 2018, nearly 400 businesses received direct assistance, leading to an average consumption reduction of 41% and the safeguarding of 52,000 jobs among surveyed companies. The initiative utilised tools such as the 'Water Resilience Journey' methodology and a business case calculator to communicate financial risks and returns. Key lessons included the need for disaggregated data to avoid overlooking vulnerable sectors like the laundry industry and the value of leveraging businesses as 'corporate citizens' through initiatives like the Smart Water Meter Challenge.

The report highlights the role of water scarcity and climate change as primary drivers for the adoption of agricultural technology (agtech) in South Africa. It identifies significant growth opportunities in precision agriculture, undercover farming, renewable energy, and conservation agriculture, particularly within the Western Cape's high-value export crop sector. The document also outlines the regulatory landscape, including water restrictions, carbon tax, and land reform policies, while providing a directory of green finance resources.

The report compares flood and drip irrigation for the SAGCOT initiative in Tanzania's Kilombero Valley. It finds that while drip irrigation has higher initial costs, it is more sustainable and financially viable when externalities—such as water savings and additional land productivity—are included. Drip irrigation is projected to unlock 10,600 additional hectares of land and reduce seasonal migration patterns compared to flood irrigation.

The document argues that investing in water resilience makes financial sense regardless of whether water tariffs are strict or relaxed. It models three business scenarios—a medium-sized office, a medium-sized manufacturing facility, and a large manufacturing facility—demonstrating that solutions like smart metering, retrofitting, and rainwater harvesting can reduce municipal water reliance by up to 70% and lower water-related costs by 60%. All modelled solutions are projected to pay for themselves in under six years.

The report highlights a critical need for water resilience in the Western Cape due to severe drought and climate change. It identifies four primary investment areas: water metering and monitoring, water efficiency, water reuse, and alternative water supplies (groundwater, rainwater, and desalination). The document details market potentials, such as a R2 billion potential market for potable water reuse in Cape Town and a R5.8 billion potential residential market for alternative water systems in the Western Cape. It also outlines significant barriers, including municipal creditworthiness, high capital costs, and public perception of wastewater reuse.

Chile has avoided formal local content targets in its mining sector, instead utilizing taxes and royalties to fund a broad national innovation system. Key initiatives include Fundación Chile, which helped diversify exports into salmon and fruit, and the National Council on Innovation and Competitiveness (NCIC), which managed the Innovation for Competitiveness Fund (ICF). Additionally, the BHP Billiton World Class Suppliers program demonstrates a collaborative approach to supplier development, though it has faced challenges in scaling. While mining's share of exports fell from 89% in 1973 to 59% in 2012, the document notes that coordination failures and institutional weaknesses have sometimes hampered the impact of these policies.

The document analyzes how biophysical climate impacts and international trade shifts threaten employment in South Africa's chemicals sub-sector, while identifying job creation potential through mitigation and adaptation interventions.

The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) criticizes the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) decision to cease insuring mortgages on homes with property assessed clean energy (PACE) loans. RMI argues that the FHA's concerns regarding consumer protection and default risk are misguided, as data suggests energy-efficient homes have lower default rates than inefficient ones. The document asserts that PACE provides a critical financing mechanism for energy and water efficiency retrofits that traditional loans do not fulfill, and that removing it may push homeowners toward riskier high-interest credit options.