Advancing the climate resilience of Canadian infrastructure

This report was prepared by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) for Infrastructure Canada. It reviews the current literature on climate change hazards, impacts, and adaptation options for six types of built infrastructure across Canada and looks at the complementary role of natural infrastructure solutions in building climate resiliency. The report examines existing policies, guides, standards, codes, and financing programs at the federal level in Canada that inform and incentivize climate-resilient infrastructure, both built and natural. International examples of policies, principles, and tools that can inform Canada’s efforts are highlighted.

The paper concludes by drawing attention to the need for greater action in areas such as increasing the availability of assessment and planning tools, deepening knowledge of resilience-building approaches, enhancing monitoring and maintenance of infrastructure, diversifying sources of finance, and facilitating the integration of built and natural infrastructure solutions Significant financing is needed to address Canada’s existing infrastructure deficit, which in 2016 was estimated to be between CAD 150 billion and CAD 1 trillion (ACEG, 2016). Making these investments now is expected to provide net benefits over the longer term.