Environmental Sustainability & Climate

The Environmental Sustainability & Climate theme reflects NWRC’s commitment to supporting Egypt’s environmental security and climate adaptation agenda. Through integrated research, field monitoring, and lab-based innovations, NWRC provides robust scientific foundations for safeguarding water quality, coastal zones, and ecological health while enabling climate-resilient water management. This thematic area supports national development goals, the SDGs, and Egypt’s commitments under global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Climate Change & Water Resilience

NWRC leads Egypt’s efforts in understanding and responding to the impacts of climate change on water systems. Core areas of work include:

  • Climate impact assessments on water availability, demand, and variability
  • Vulnerability mapping for agriculture, deltas, and coastal areas
  • Development of adaptation strategies and decision support tools
  • Integration of climate scenarios in water policy and infrastructure design

NWRC is a key technical partner in Egypt’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process and contributes to IPCC-aligned research on water-climate interactions.

Water Quality, Pollution Control & Environmental Health

NWRC conducts comprehensive water quality monitoring and pollution control research through:

  • The internationally accredited Central Laboratory for Environmental Quality Monitoring (CLEQM)
  • State-of-the-art equipment for chemical, biological, and microbiological analyses (ICP-MS, LC-MS/MS, RT-PCR)
  • Water quality assessments for rivers, canals, drains, groundwater, and drinking water systems
  • Pollution source tracking and impact studies on public health and ecosystems

NWRC supports regulatory bodies, industrial zones, and environmental protection agencies in evidence-based decision-making.

Coastal Zone Management & Protection

With Egypt’s delta and coastline facing increasing risks, NWRC’s coastal research addresses:

  • Physical modeling of wave dynamics, sediment transport, and shoreline retreat
  • Assessment of sea level rise impacts on infrastructure and ecosystems
  • Evaluation of protection measures such as breakwaters, revetments, and soft engineering
  • Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) strategies linking development with resilience

NWRC plays an instrumental role in designing and validating coastal interventions from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.

Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) & Eco-Engineering

NWRC explores the use of natural processes for water treatment, climate adaptation, and biodiversity conservation:

  • Constructed wetlands for biological wastewater treatment
  • Aquatic vegetation systems for nutrient removal and pollution control
  • Research on using harvested aquatic weeds for biogas and organic fertilizers
  • Piloting ecosystem-based solutions for flood mitigation and groundwater recharge

These innovations contribute to NWRC’s leadership in promoting sustainable, low-cost, and locally appropriate water technologies.

Our Distinctive Strengths in Environmental Sustainability & Climate

  • An ISO-accredited central lab recognized as a UNESCO Category-2 Center
  • Extensive experience in climate adaptation projects and GCF-aligned research
  • National coverage through 435 water quality monitoring points
  • Proven methodologies for eco-based interventions and green infrastructure
  • Strong engagement in international environmental research and climate diplomacy