Developing countries, emerging economies, and investment banks are investing billions in durable infrastructure every year. However, they often fail to take account of future climate change in their planning. As a result, new infrastructure projects (e.g. from the agriculture, transportation, or energy sector) are being implemented without consideration of climate change risks. This leads to high potential for damage, loss and misguided investment with potentially serious consequences for the economy and society. For this reason, infrastructure adapted to the impacts of climate change is one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. From this starting point, this training aims to instruct participants in how to take climate-related risks into consideration, when planning investments into infrastructure. 


Course Objectives

The overall objective of the training course is to provide participants with a sound knowledge on how to assess and reduce climate-related risks for infrastructure investments. This training focuses on methodological aspects of climate proofing and participants will learn via a case study about the infrastructure investment process, existing tools to assess climate risks, and about options to integrate climate change adaptation in infrastructure projects. At the end of the course, participants will be able to analyse infrastructure projects with regard to climate change risks, threats, and opportunities. 


Course Content

• Identification of entry points for climate risk reduction within the infrastructure investment process
• Performance of a risk assessment to identify underlying reasons for climate risk within your infrastructure investment 
• Identification of adaptation and mitigation options and entry points in infrastructure projects, incl. mainstreaming of identified climate change response options 
• Simple cost-benefit analyses in the context of climate change response options for infrastructure investments 

Course Methods

The training is based on the Harvard Case Method, which supports adult learning from experience: Introduction to the topic – Group exercise with a given case – Presentation of results – Reflection on relevance to participants’ needs and future applications. This method is complemented by interactive exercises which integrate emotions and movement into sustainable learning processes.

Our online trainings are not pre-recorded training videos, webinars for large audiences or self-paced e-learning courses. They are virtual live trainings delivered by our trainers in real-time, focusing on the interaction of a small group of remote participants. Just like our face-to-face trainings, these virtual classrooms aim at tailoring the discussions and learning experiences to the training needs of the participants.

Requirements: to attend our live online trainings, a reliable high-speed internet connection and a computer or laptop running Windows or iOS are required (including audio and video). The Humboldt-Universität of Berlin uses the videoconferencing platform Zoom for virtual classrooms as well as digital tools such as Moodle. We strongly recommend an external headset for better sound quality.

Target Group

The training addresses professionals working in international cooperation, policy advice, project formulation, or related areas. Ideally, participants already have first plans or ideas how the course content can be applied in their working context. Good command of English is mandatory.