The Government of Canada is investing $59.6 million over five years to amplify and expedite research initiatives that will help ensure communities have the knowledge and guidance needed to adapt to climate change impacts.
“The research and data delivered through this investment will strengthen communities and help them better protect the homes, businesses and livelihoods of their residents from the impacts of climate change,” says Sean Fraser, minister of housing, infrastructure and communities. “We will continue working with our partners to ensure the safety and well-being of Canadians across the country in the face of these impacts.”
The new investment will build upon the current work funded by Infrastructure Canada to support the Climate Resilient Built Environment (CRBE) initiative, which is led by the National Research Council (NRC). The CRBE initiative provides knowledge to adapt our public infrastructure where necessary, informs potential changes to building and infrastructure codes and standards, and creates guides, tools, and technical solutions to support resilience to climate change. This initiative will continue to support resilience across the construction sector, from design and decision-making to construction, operation, maintenance, and retrofit.
“Adaptation is about being better prepared to address and reduce the impacts of climate change, now and in the future,” says Steven Guilbeault, minister of environment and climate change. “For me, this announcement is about strengthening communities against climate risks. It illustrates our determination to continue to implement Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy, a whole-of-society blueprint to prepare for, and reduce the risks of, climate change through coordinated and ambitious action. Together, we have taken substantial strides towards building climate resilience in our communities and our economy.”
The new investment will also build on the current work funded by Infrastructure Canada to support the Standards to Support Resilience in Infrastructure Program (SSRIP), which is led by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). The SSRIP initiative delivers standards and related guidance that address priority areas such as heat, flooding, nature-based solutions, and transportation system resilience. The program is working with communities and beneficiaries to ensure that projects promote a consistent approach to climate change adaptation, increase resilience, and support informed decision-making for infrastructure and buildings across Canada.
“Climate risks can be reduced or avoided by making sure communities are designed to standards that address climate change,” says Chantal Guay, CEO of the SCC. “Using standards, decision-makers and professionals can better plan, construct, and maintain climate-resilient, nature-positive, and sustainable cities. Working with experts across Canada, we are ensuring they have the tools they need to adapt communities.”
More information about codes, standards and guidance for climate resilience is available here.