Report on the effects of climate change on infrastructure, published by IISD with the support of the Cement Association of Canada

The report, “Climate Change Adaptation and Canadian Infrastructure,” has been released by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and published with the support of the Cement Association of Canada. The report consists of a summary of current literature that deals with the environmentally concerned topics of adapting to climate change in Canada and the country’s infrastructure. It is intended to prompt further thought surrounding climate change with regard to ensuring the longevity of critical infrastructure in the country. The report explores climate impacts and risks to key infrastructure by region and by type and introduces a number of key policy, regulatory, and financial tools for consideration.

“The cement and concrete industry is committed to being a proactive partner in addressing the challenges of mitigating and adapting to climate change,” said Michael McSweeney, President and CEO of the Cement Association of Canada. “We are in an age of massive re-investment in our basic infrastructure in Canada, and this presents an enormous opportunity to both mitigate climate change through reduced CO₂ emissions as well as prepare ourselves for the changes in our climate that are already underway.”

Conclusions of the report:

• Climate change has the potential to substantially affect the lifespan and effectiveness of Canada’s infrastructure, particularly transportation, buildings, marine and water management infrastructure.
• Measures may be taken to limit costs and strengthen the resiliency of infrastructure.
• While there has been a significant amount of research and planning done, most supporting policies and regulatory changes remain nascent and investments have not yet fundamentally shifted.
• Recent climate events in Canada and abroad have galvanised calls for action at the local, regional and national levels, providing a key opportunity for industry actors to get engaged in the resiliency conversation now.

“Climate change matters for Canada’s infrastructure, and adapting to its effects will require commitments by both the private and public sectors. By supporting IISD research that assesses the opportunities and risks, CAC has taken a key first step towards the broader discussions and work ahead,” said IISD President Scott Vaughan.

The report, “Climate Change Adaptation and Canadian Infrastructure,” is available to read here.

Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling