Gonzalo Delacámara
Gonzalo Delacámara is a Spanish economist specialising in water economics and climate adaptation who advises institutions and speaks to organisations on environmental policy, sustainable finance, and natural resource governance.
- Director of the IE Center for Water & Climate Adaptation at IE University
- Member of the External Scientific Advisory Council of KWR Water Research Institute
- Senior Fellow at Fundación Botín in the area of Water Resources
- Vice President of Water Europe
- Elected member of the Board of Directors of the International Desalination Association
- Former leader of water economics work at IMDEA Water Institute
Full Profile
Key speaking topics
- Water economics and policy
- Climate adaptation and resilience
- Environmental policy and socioeconomic development
- Sustainable finance and ESG frameworks
- Natural resource governance
- Water and climate risk management
- Multilateral water and environmental cooperation
Ideal for
- Government and public policy leaders
- Sustainability and ESG executives
- Water, infrastructure, and utilities organisations
- Financial institutions focused on sustainable investment
Audience outcomes
- Clear understanding of the economic dimensions of water and climate adaptation
- Insight into policy frameworks shaping sustainable finance and ESG
- Strategic perspective on managing water and climate risk
- Greater clarity on governance models for natural resources
- Context for aligning environmental strategy with socioeconomic priorities
Why organisations work with Gonzalo Delacámara
- Combines academic leadership with advisory experience across European and international institutions
- Brings economic rigour to water, climate, and sustainability debates
- Connects environmental policy to financial and governance implications
- Offers structured, policy-informed insight relevant to senior decision-makers
Biography
Gonzalo Delacámara brings economic rigour to some of the most complex questions facing governments, financial institutions and infrastructure leaders: how to manage water, climate risk and natural resources within evolving policy and sustainability frameworks.
As Director of the IE Center for Water & Climate Adaptation at IE University, he works at the intersection of environmental economics, climate adaptation and public policy. His expertise connects environmental decision-making with socioeconomic development, sustainable finance and long-term resilience.
He serves on the External Scientific Advisory Council of KWR Water Research Institute and is a Senior Fellow at Fundación Botín in Water Resources. He is also Vice President of Water Europe and an elected member of the Board of Directors of the International Desalination Association, contributing to strategic dialogue across industry, research and policy communities.
Earlier in his career, he led water economics work at IMDEA Water Institute, shaping research and debate on the economic governance of water systems. His professional activity includes advisory and collaborative work with European institutions, multilateral organisations and international development bodies on water, environment and climate policy.
In addition to his institutional leadership, Gonzalo Delacámara has taught in postgraduate settings and is an author of books and scientific publications on water economics, sustainability and governance. His work provides organisations with a structured understanding of how climate adaptation, ESG frameworks and natural resource management intersect with economic performance and public policy.
Talks
An examination of how the sustainable management of natural resources drives economic development, highlighting the interconnected global challenges and opportunities shaping growth.
Key takeaways:
- How natural resource management influences long-term economic development
- The interdependence between sustainability and global economic stability
- A clearer understanding of sustainability as a driver of economic opportunity
An analysis of sustainable investment opportunities, drawing on the EU Taxonomy of Sustainable Activities and its implications for financial markets and corporate organisations, including how physical and transition risks translate into material financial risks.
Key takeaways:
- The impact of sustainable finance frameworks on markets and corporations
- How climate-related risks become financial risks
- The strategic implications of the EU Taxonomy for investment decisions
An exploration of the critical challenges in water management and climate change across different spatial and temporal scales.
Key takeaways:
- The multi-scalar nature of water and climate challenges
- Key pressures affecting water security
- The relationship between climate dynamics and water management decisions
An analysis of the societal and economic value of biodiversity and why it represents one of the most significant yet often overlooked challenges.
Key takeaways:
- The economic relevance of biological diversity
- Why biodiversity loss presents systemic societal risks
- The importance of integrating biodiversity into economic thinking
A focused assessment of climate change adaptation, examining its urgency, the associated costs and benefits, and its synergies with mitigation efforts.
Key takeaways:
- Why adaptation is an immediate priority
- The economic costs and benefits of adaptation measures
- How adaptation and mitigation strategies reinforce each other
A structured perspective on sustainability challenges, arguing against fragmented approaches and demonstrating the interconnected nature of climate change, biodiversity loss, desertification and pollution.
Key takeaways:
- The risks of analysing sustainability in isolation
- The interconnected drivers of major environmental challenges
- The need for integrated approaches to complex global issues
An analysis of the geopolitical and geoeconomic implications of the energy transition required to decarbonise the global economy.
Key takeaways:
- How the energy transition reshapes geopolitical dynamics
- The economic implications of decarbonisation
- Strategic considerations for navigating a changing global energy order
An examination of urban development models and how city design affects energy, water and food security, as well as responses to the climate emergency.
Key takeaways:
- The sustainability implications of urban design choices
- How cities influence energy, water and food systems
- The link between urban development and climate resilience
An analytical assessment of the relationship between global sustainability commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals, and their corporate translation through ESG frameworks.
Key takeaways:
- The connection between ESG performance and global sustainability goals
- The limitations and constraints within current ESG approaches
- A more critical understanding of corporate sustainability metrics
A broader interpretation of governance in natural resource management, moving beyond transparency and accountability to address incentives, sectoral biases and innovation.
Key takeaways:
- The limitations of narrow governance frameworks
- The role of incentives and institutional design in resource management
- The importance of cross-sectoral and innovative approaches
A call for sustainability narratives grounded in rational criteria rather than apocalyptic or dogmatic framing, while acknowledging the perceptions and concerns of citizens.
Key takeaways:
- The risks of polarised or dogmatic sustainability narratives
- The value of evidence-based approaches
- The importance of aligning sustainability discourse with societal perceptions