Ethical stewardship for a thriving Earth
Irrawaddy Consulting is an independent advisory firm in integrated water resources management, climate adaptation and disaster risk management. We work with governments, international organisations, private companies and NGOs worldwide to design sustainable, evidence-based solutions to the growing challenges of climate change and water.
Our name comes from the Irrawaddy, the river some translate as “the river that brings blessings to the people”. Like every great river, it is more than a waterway: it is a lifeline that connects ecosystems, cultures and generations. That idea of interconnectedness guides our work. We see nature not as a resource to exploit, but as a partner.
For us, ethical stewardship means balancing human needs with the health of ecosystems. We favour regenerative over extractive approaches, combine scientific rigour with local and indigenous knowledge, and put equity in access to resources at the centre. Founded by Tom D’Haeyer, bio-engineer with more than twenty years of international experience, Irrawaddy Consulting has worked from Haiti and Benin to Uganda, Mozambique, Timor-Leste and Egypt.
Areas of expertise
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) We develop basin-wide strategies that balance competing demands on water while safeguarding ecosystems. By bringing stakeholders from different sectors together, we co-design solutions for water security, sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation, so that rivers and watersheds keep sustaining both people and nature.
Disaster Risk Management (DRM) We help countries and regions reduce their exposure to floods, droughts and other hazards. Combining hazard mapping, risk modelling and institutional analysis, we deliver actionable recommendations that strengthen preparedness, limit loss and damage, and build long-term resilience.
Early Warning System Assessments We evaluate and design multi-hazard early warning systems that link data collection, forecasting, communication and community response. By connecting technical solutions to local realities, we help make early warnings timely, trusted and effective in protecting lives and livelihoods.
Climate Transparency We support governments and organisations in meeting international climate reporting requirements under the UNFCCC’s Enhanced Transparency Framework. Through vulnerability assessments and transparent monitoring frameworks, we make climate data reliable and accessible, and identify concrete adaptation priorities for communities and ecosystems.
Nature-Based Solutions & Ecosystem Restoration We design interventions that restore ecosystems and use nature’s capacity to buffer climate risks, from mangrove restoration and wetland management to green infrastructure. Our projects show how regenerative practices reduce vulnerability, enhance biodiversity and deliver lasting socio-economic benefits.