WSP at COP27: Contributing to sustainable change

As world leaders and industry experts gather at the 27th annual session of the UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP27, WSP experts will be on site to work alongside delegates as they seek to accelerate climate action.

Expertise Insights Events Spotlight on Africa Projects Our Team

Our team will be assessing impacts to regions and market sectors, while also supporting our clients’ proactive climate action plans. Since new decarbonization targets were agreed upon at last year’s COP26, we have seen an urgent need to respond, making the outcomes at COP27 even more critical, as nations work together to cut and curb the emissions that contribute to climate change.

While the Paris Agreement aligned signatories to curb temperature rise to 1.5°C, even that increase will result in more than 4 billion people being impacted by frequent climate shocks. COP27 seeks to accelerate the pace and scale of adaptation and resilience through a “breakthroughs framework” – work that WSP has helped develop and provides the sectoral transformations that we can directly address through our global projects. Because we are continuously assessing the information from COP27, our global team of scientists, engineers, and climate finance advisors can support your organization as you work to effectively deliver on the outcomes established at the conference!

What we expect to see at COP27

The WSP experts at COP27 will be listening as countries increase their pace on their Nationally Determined Commitments (NDCs) and accelerate adaptation for resiliency across their operations and supply chains. The spotlight will be on private- and public-sector leaders through the UNFCCC climate champions to set the tone for discussions around energy transition, renewable energy targets, and advocate for the region on climate finance.

During the event, there will be Breakthrough Implementation Labs and Resilience Hubs where non-state actors will work together on resilience to climate change. Once such venue, the COP Resilience Hub, is an inclusive virtual and physical space to mobilise action on resilience. WSP experts will be on site with Resilience Rising, sharing and collaborating to tackle our planet’s most pressing climate challenges, through our work with member organizations who are key partners.

COP27 has an overall goal to move from commitments to actions for both energy transition and climate resiliency. To do this there must be actions delivered at COP27 and an urgency established to scale and accelerate projects in 2023. COP27 has as its highest priority the need to deliver on 6 key elements from non-state actors which includes many of our clients:

Translation of commitments and pledges into implementation
Elevation of adaptation and resilience
A credible stocktake of progress
‘Assets to flows’ to scale finance
Regionalization, localization and collaboration
A just, managed, financed transition

WSP is uniquely positioned to be a leader to address the global challenges – delivered at the local level – that will be clearly established at COP27 and the challenge to create the world we must create.

COP27 Insights and Analysis

Government leaders, business stakeholders, and scientists will be working together to credibly show the world that addressing climate change remains a priority. As the impacts of COP27 decisions begin to impact market sectors around the world, our global and regional experts share their thoughts and latest insights.

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More COP27 Insights

Spotlight on Africa

COP27 will be held in Africa, a continent where temperatures are increasing faster than the global average and climate change is an extreme threat, along with water supply, energy and transportation all facing climate impacts today that will only become worse over time. With the ten most climate vulnerable countries globally located on the continent and most susceptible to extreme climate shocks, WSP is active in the region and supports public and private clients as they work to achieve climate resilience and natural resource management.

The cleaner alternatives for Africa’s energy mix

Ahead of Enlit Africa 2022, Dinesh Buldoo, Managing Director: Power, WSP Africa and Martin Mkhabela, Director: Power, WSP in Africa discuss the opportunities this presents for a cleaner energy mix in Africa.

Putting sustainability at the core of Africa’s health

The healthcare buildings we are designing and building today are very different from the hospitals, clinics and general practitioner (GP) surgeries we had become accustomed to for such services in Africa.

Cleaner and alternative energy solutions for mining

Mining is a power-intense industry. To counteract the high cost and environmental impact of traditional fossil-based fuel sources, there is a rising interest in adopting hybrid energy solutions. Dinesh Buldoo, Director: Power at WSP in Africa, takes a closer look.

From Pledges to Actions – How do we accelerate the transition to circular economy?

In line with the ethos of the 2020 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26, many organisations and governments started to integrate circular economy and sustainability targets into their agendas.

How WSP Helps Clients Take Meaningful Action

Every day around the world WSP experts develop and implement strategies to reduce carbon emissions, increase capacity to adapt to changing climate, improve resilience, and bring green infrastructure online. Below we share a few project examples that highlight how we help our clients take meaningful action.

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England, UK

National Highways' net zero carbon plan

WSP was lead advisor to National Highways in developing and implementing an ambitious roadmap to net zero by 2050.

Sydney, Australia

Planning for net zero energy buildings

WSP played a key part in planning a Net Zero energy future for the City of Sydney, which is now leading the way in decarbonising Australian property, with updated performance standards for commercial buildings.

United Kingdom

A net zero energy strategy for Royal United Hospitals Bath

Our work will help the trust reduce its carbon emissions by supporting decision-making on changes to equipment, buildings and infrastructure.

Canada

Helping Canadian Mining Companies Plan for Climate Change

How can the industry plan for a future that may deliver higher temperatures, additional storms, extremes of rainfall and drought, rising sea levels and more wildfires?

Australia

Green hydrogen development leading the way in decarbonising global energy markets

As the world moves towards decarbonisation to support our thriving communities and future generations, the shift towards green hydrogen and green ammonia as the basis for establishing a new global renewable energy trade creates the opportunity for Australia to maintain its status as a major energy exporter.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen Climate Adaptation Project

Harrestrup River (Harrestrup Å) in Vigerslev Park (Vigerslevparken) is about to undergo a major transformation. The City of Copenhagen's Technical and Environmental Department aims to combine climate adaptation with biodiversity enhancements and increased recreational value throughout the site.

Climate Change Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, USA

Alaska, USA

Climate Change Vulnerability and Risk Assessment for an "At-Risk" Community

Shaktoolik, Alaska, is a remote village of 260 people, located 125 miles east of Nome, on a narrow spit of land between the Tagoomenik River and the Bering Sea. Brightly painted houses line either side of the village’s only road, a 1-mile stretch of sand and gravel.

Hawaii, USA

Hawaii Highways Climate Adaption Action Plan

The Action Plan identifies the island state’s transportation infrastructure most at risk from climate-related impacts and helps guide future investment decision making to build resilience.

A Look Back – WSP at COP26

The outcomes at COP26 meant significant change for industry globally. Discover our insights and analysis, from experts who are currently collaborating with clients to achieve outcomes defined at COP26.

Visit the COP26 page

WSP’s Climate Commitments

Whether we are delivering high-speed rail systems, designing urban infrastructure or supporting adaptation to climate change risks, we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to the challenges the future will bring.

Outcome Implementation Experts

Whether on site at COP27 or reviewing daily reports around the globe, our experts are committed to finding sustainable solutions to the challenges the future will bring.

Verushka Singh

Principal Associate - Climate Change

South Africa