Enabling Resilient Economies: An Interim Report for Catalyzing Prosperity and Structural Transformation Through Water Resilience

How do we translate resilience into an economic concept that can guide countries, companies, and projects?

Resilience is not an accident. It must be planned for and invested in. The Water Resilience for Economic Resilience (WR4ER) initiative provides economic decision makers with the evidence necessary to put what the IPCC calls “water-based adaptation” at the center of resilience investment, planning, and policy processes — demonstrating how a water-centric approach is not only an enabler, but a prerequisite, for thriving economies amid a climate-uncertain future.

The WR4ER report “Enabling Resilient Economies: An Interim Report for Catalyzing Prosperity and Structural Transformation Through Water Resilience” features an overview of the principles and rationale behind a water-centric approach to economics, several case studies of countries implementing the principles, and concludes with seven modes (i.e., pathways) for enabling economic resilience.

This is an interim report. A final version with additional cases and updates is expected in June 2023. Check back on the WR4ER webpage for more information.