IEc is a leader in efforts to assess climate change impacts on natural systems and the built environment.  Using models of wetlands, commercial agriculture, water supplies, infrastructure, and other systems, we help clients characterize physical responses in the environment, as well the economic implications of these changes. For instance, for the U.S. EPA, IEc estimated the impact of climate change on key categories of vulnerable infrastructure resources, including roads, water supply, and urban drainage. Likewise, IEc has examined how inaction will affect Department of Interior holdings in the southeast U.S., including impacts on coastal wetlands, recreational opportunities, and invasive species.

Our consultants are recognized experts on adaptation strategies to counter the effects of climate change, as well as in estimating the public investment needed to implement these strategies. Adaptation and investment are topics of acute interest in developing countries, where anticipated impacts are great and public resources are limited. For instance, IEc has worked extensively with the World Bank on infrastructure design for managing water supplies in Uganda; adaptation options for irrigation and agriculture in Albania, Macedonia, Moldova, and Uzbekistan; and adaptation scenarios for nations threatened by sea level rise, such as Madagascar.

IEc’s climate change expertise grew out of our previous work in air quality and emissions control. We have a sophisticated understanding of greenhouse gas (GHG) contributors, control methods, and the potential for carbon sequestration as a mitigation strategy. Our recent experience includes assessing alternative GHG mitigation policy scenarios and their effect on climate forecasts and biophysical indicators. IEc experts also testified before the U.S. Senate on the design of financial mechanisms to ensure the carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) industry is adequately capitalized to fund future liabilities.

IEc’s consultants are also well versed in marine climate interventions (also known as marine geoengineering). These techniques, which include sub-seabed CCS, marine carbon dioxide removal, and solar radiation management, are emerging technologies for which federal and state agencies are actively exploring regulatory and permitting requirements. IEc has studied the potential environmental impacts and the state and federal regulatory landscapes for these technologies. For instance, we have assisted the U.S. EPA with developing a marine carbon dioxide removal permitting program under the authority of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act.