Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure

On this page

• Overview
• Climate Help Desk
• Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts
• Climate tools and resources for infrastructure
• Other resources

Overview

About the Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure

Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) is implementing an initiative to help communities across Canada build resilient and low-carbon housing and infrastructure. This work is funded through the Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan, in support of the National Adaptation Strategy and the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.

The Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure provides a suite of open-access tools, resources, and support services to help infrastructure owners and decision-makers develop projects that build resilience and contribute to Canada's path to net-zero emissions. The toolkit includes:

• a Help Desk to provide direct support and guidance on incorporating climate considerations;
• a Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts to share technical advice; and
• an online Platform with new and improved climate tools and resources.

The initiative provides supports for a variety of infrastructure sectors while integrating nature-based solutions, including:

• buildings and housing development;
• water, wastewater, and stormwater;
• public transit and transportation; and
• solid waste.

Building climate-ready infrastructure and housing

Infrastructure across the country is under pressure to meet ever growing demands, as outlined in the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card 2019. Public infrastructure—including built and natural elements—is critical to building vibrant, connected, and livable communities of all sizes across Canada. It keeps Canadians sheltered and connected, transports goods, manages waste, provides safe drinking water and spaces for recreation, sport, and culture.

As Canada's climate is rapidly evolving, the effects of climate change can accelerate infrastructure deterioration. It is critical that infrastructure is being adapted to changing climate conditions.

Communities across Canada urgently need to increase their resilience to climate vulnerabilities and mitigate emissions. According to the Canadian Climate Institute, decisions on adaptation measures made today will yield significant benefits for Canadians and the economy in future years.

The Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure offers a suite of tools and services to help understand risks, calculate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, develop projects that are resilient to climate change, and inform actions to reduce emissions.

Climate Help Desk

HICC's climate Help Desk is a dedicated service that responds to climate and infrastructure related inquiries. It offers guidance and valuable resources to support communities with planning and developing their infrastructure projects.

To learn more, visit HICC's Climate Help Desk.

Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts

The Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts provides technical advice on adaptation and mitigation options at no cost to participating communities. Communities can express interest in being matched with qualified experts to receive tailored support for their housing and infrastructure projects.

Through this service, communities will:

• gain access to specialized expertise for integrating climate resilience into public housing and infrastructure projects;
• receive support to make climate-informed decisions; and
• participate in learning opportunities.

With funding from HICC, the Roster services are designed and managed by the Canadian Urban Institute. To register as an expert or express interest to receive support services, visit Climate Ready Canada.

Climate Tools and Resources for Infrastructure

HICC is investing in the development of open-access, online tools designed to help communities integrate climate change considerations into their projects. HICC aims to provide communities of all sizes with the information needed to build a more sustainable future, by making these tools and resources widely available and accessible.

The climate tools and resources will include:

• climate mitigation and adaptation guidance, frameworks, and learning resources;
• ability to analyze and visualize climate data and infrastructure assets together;
• hazard maps to assess risk; and
• tools to identify options to increase resiliency and reduce emissions based on risks and project characteristics (both traditional engineered approaches and nature-based solutions).

In collaboration with HICC, ICLEI Canada has developed the Climate Insight Platform, a website designed to facilitate access to curated resources and tailored guidance for communities.

Features from this online Platform include:

• a solutions finder, where users can find project-specific, low-carbon, resilient infrastructure options;
• an interactive map to visualize climate, socio-economic and infrastructure data;
• tools and information on risks, emissions, equity considerations, and nature-based solutions; and
• a resource library with access to codes and standards, case studies, and guiding documents.

To access the platform, visit Climate Insight.

Other resources

To complement the Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure, infrastructure decision-makers may wish to consult the following resources that support adopting practices to reduce emissions and increase the climate resiliency of projects:

• Codes, Standards and Guidance for Climate Resilience, by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada. A summary of current federal initiatives and programs, standards and guidelines, tools, and resources to inform and incentivize climate-resilient infrastructure.
• Public Infrastructure Engineering Vulnerability Committee (PIEVC) Protocol, PIEVC Alliance. Infrastructure risk assessment protocol, case studies and learning resources.
• Canadian Centre for Climate Services, Environment and Climate Change Canada. A climate data support desk and library of decision support resources and datasets on climate trends.
• Climate Atlas of Canada, Prairie Climate Centre. National dashboard of climate data and stories with details by municipal or Indigenous community.
• Municipal Asset Management Program (MAMP), Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Introduction to advanced asset management tools and training, including connections to resilience and mitigation practices.

To receive updates about the Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure, please sign up for our mailing list.