Infrastructure risk and resilience

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The Infrastructure Resilience Professional (IRP) accreditation program was launched by Engineers Canada in 2016 and is administered by the Climate Risk Institute.  Accreditation as an IRP requires a professional engineer designation (P.Eng.), demonstration of 320 hours or more of climate change and infrastructure experience, and completion of six course in the areas of climate science, climate risk assessment and management, asset management and climate resiliency, climate law, and climate smart policy and procurement.

Engineers Canada has prepared a practical protocol for assessing the vulnerability of infrastructure to climate change and prioritizing risk. The Public Infrastructure Engineering Vulnerability Committee (PIEVC) protocol is the state-of-the-art methodology for exploring climate adaptation and risk mitigation actions for infrastructure systems in Canada. 

Infrastructure Canada released its Climate Lens General Guidance to support federal requirements for grant applications under the 'Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) and Smart Cities Challenge.  

The Climate Lens General Guidance includes a climate change resilience assessment annex, described by Infrastructure Canada as a risk management approach to anticipate, prevent, withstand, respond to, and recover and adapt from climate change related disruptions or impacts. 

Novel Futures Director, Darren Swanson, served  as the lead and coordinating author of the 2021 report entitled 'Advancing the Resilience of Canadian Infrastructure'. Published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, this report examined the vulnerability of infrastructure to climate change and the availability of options for enhancing resilience in relation to transportation infrastructure, buildings, water supply, wastewater and storm water management, marine, and energy and information communications technology.

Darren Swanson has delivered training webinars for infrastructure professionals and asset managers on the use of Natural Infrastructure to Enhance Climate Resilience. Hosted by Engineers and Geoscientists Manitoba under the Manitoba Climate Resilience Training program, and in collaboration with the International Institute for Sustainable Development, this training covers natural infrastructure solutions for urban, rural, riverine, and coastal landscapes, along with techniques for integrated planning and benefit-cost analysis.