News
IISD reports on implications of climate change

November 7, 2013, Ottawa, Ont. – A new report by the
Winnipeg-based International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
released today on the implications of climate change on Canada's infrastructure
represents an important step forward in the national conversation about
infrastructure resilience.

November 7, 2013, Ottawa, Ont. – A new report by the
Winnipeg-based International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
released today on the implications of climate change on Canada's infrastructure
represents an important step forward in the national conversation about
infrastructure resilience. 

Published with support from the Cement Association of
Canada, Climate Change Adaptation and Canadian Infrastructure, summarizes
current literature dealing with the challenge of adapting to climate change in
Canada, with a particular focus on the country's infrastructure.

Intended to serve as stimulus for further discussion around
planned adaptation to climate change in Canada, particularly with respect to
ensuring the viability of critical built infrastructure, the report explores
climate impacts and risks to key infrastructure by region and by type. The
report also 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.
In supporting the publication of this report, we've taken a modest step towards
engaging in the development of a new way of thinking and planning for climate
resiliency in Canada's infrastructure investments."

The report concludes that:

• Climate change has the potential to
  substantially affect the lifespan and effectiveness of Canada's infrastructure,
  particularly our transportation, buildings, marine and water management
  infrastructure.
• Measures can be taken to limit costs and
  strengthen the resiliency of infrastructure – the report documents a number of
  key policy, regulatory, and financial tools for consideration.
• 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
  galvanized 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 at www.rediscoverconcrete.ca