ClimateWest’s Post

Proud to be part of the Climate Toolkit initiative launching today! 🎉 The toolkit offers a suite of resources and support services to help communities integrate climate considerations into their infrastructure projects. Check out how these tools can support your projects in building a more resilient, sustainable future. #ClimateAction #ResilientCommunities #SustainableInfrastructure

The Government of Canada launched the Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure! It helps communities across the country adapt to a changing climate when planning their #infrastructure and #housing projects. Check out what is available, such as: 1.     A Climate Help Desk to provide direct support to address infrastructure and climate related inquiries; 2.     A Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts to access advice about climate-related factors for public infrastructure and housing projects; and 3.     A Climate Toolkit Platform with tools and resources to help communities integrate climate change factors into their projects. This initiative will help tackle the effects of a changing climate on our infrastructure by improving the safety of buildings, homes and communities. Access these tools and join us in building up Canada, one project at a time. Learn more:  https://lnkd.in/e5iVbucq Environment and Climate Change Canada

The Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure is live!

Great to join my colleague Bill Haggerty and TRANSEARCH for a fascinating lunch with the always erudite Jonathan Spear to share insights from the latest Infrastructure Victoria's report on "Adapting Victoria's infrastructure to climate change". In a 'no holds barred' discussion, Jonathan Spear outlined how this research provides policymakers with invaluable insights on assessing climate risks and prioritising adaptation investments. The key takeaway? Acting early to implement protective measures is not only cost-effective but crucial for safeguarding critical infrastructure and ensuring public safety. With 7 actionable recommendations, including elevating adaptation as a policy priority and integrating climate risk assessments into financial planning, this report lays out a comprehensive roadmap for Victoria to build a more resilient future. Jonathan Spear also addressed the important role of Infrastructure Australia and the state infrastructure bodies, such as the role being played by Infrastructure NSW, in leading discussion and offering solutions across a range of infrastructure issues. https://lnkd.in/gdewjaKN #ClimateChange #InfrastructureResilience #Infrastructure

We must invest in #Resilience if we want to achieve a smooth transition to a #NetZero future, but investing in climate resilience comes with challenges. For one, the impacts of the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related events are set against Canada’s pre-existing #Infrastructure gap. So how can municipalities — who own and operate 60 percent of Canada’s public infrastructure — invest in climate resilience in a way that is sustainable and financially viable? Over the course of 2023, we worked with Co-operators and municipalities across Canada to explore this question. Discover what we learned along the way 👉  https://lnkd.in/gdhNhJXp    #GettingReady2Finance 

"It's time to stop building infrastructure for yesterday's climate". Louder for the people in the back!! Great article by my former colleague Ryan Ness. Canadian Climate Institute / Institut climatique du Canada has been doing a great job at sharing the financial implications of proactive adaptation. "Investing in adaptation costs money up front, but pays off down the road. Our research shows that every dollar invested in climate adaptation today returns $13 to $15 in future savings, including $5 to $6 in avoided costs of infrastructure repair and a further $6 to $10 in avoided disruption to the economy." We need to move from a reactive to proactive mindset. #climatechange #adaptation https://lnkd.in/gCwBv5Ah

The bottom line: A bigger and bolder future for Canada requires infrastructure to support it.    We must invest in and build infrastructure to keep pace with a growing population and be resilient to climate change. This year’s Scorecard highlights that while investment in Canadian infrastructure has seen some improvements, it remains inadequate given the aging of assets and the increasing frequency of climate-related events.  👀 Take a look: https://lnkd.in/g9CWgbBh

Mandatory Building Performance Standards are typically implemented by municipal or (in the case of Quebec) provincial authorities. But there is a key role for the federal government to catalyze and smooth implementation. Find out how in our latest report!

Mandatory building performance standards. That’s a policy that will get large buildings on path to net-zero, while creating better indoor environments Sharane Simon, PhD, EMIT walks through the different things the federal government can do. Great reading in anticipation of release of federal Green Building Strategy for net-zero buildings

Earlier this year, we provided a glimpse into four federal strategies poised to drive the adoption of Mandatory Building Performance Standards across Canada. Today, we are thrilled to unveil a comprehensive report that delves into the intricacies of these strategies. To achieve our climate goals, we must embrace a holistic approach! This entails fostering action at all levels while igniting momentum from the top down. Drawing inspiration from the multifaceted approach of the US federal government, we are not just advocating for new strategies but also emphasizing the importance of harnessing our existing infrastructure and resources more effectively through better coordination. Sometimes, the right solution combines something old, something borrowed, and something new!