Climate Change and Infrastructure Engineers – Addressing the Knowledge Gaps Presentation to: APEGGA Annual Conference April 15, 2010 Jeff Walker Canadian Standards Association

Agenda CSA and Infrastructure Survey of Infrastructure Engineers Training Recommendations CSA Climate Change Training Resources Other Resources

CSA Standards Handbooks Smart CD Mobile Publications Handbooks Smart CD Mobile Publications Seminars eLearning Courses Customized Training Seminars eLearning Courses Customized Training

Infrastructure Scope Potable water Stormwater Wastewater Buildings Transportation Energy … Civil, Chemical, Environmental, Electrical, Mechanical and other disciplines

Climate Change and Infrastructure Climate Change is one of many factors Service Expectations Inadequate Maintenance Public Health And Safety Security Changes in Demographics Funding Climate Change Infrastructure Intensification

Survey of Infrastructure Engineers National in scope Assisted by 10 provincial and territorial engineering associations

I believe that a changing climate will affect my engineering decisions in the near future. 82% 87% 83% 42% 40% 45% 38% 35% 51% Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree 42% 46% 38% 42% 40% 38% 78% 80% 88% Total (n = 2,060) Water (n = 294) Trans port’n (n = 250) Energy (n = 340) Bldgs (n = 310) Other (n = 866) By Infrastructure Category:

To what degree do you consider the impacts of a changing climate in your current engineering decisions? Sometimes Consider 45% Never Consider 28% Mostly Consider 18% Always Consider 9%

I need much more information to enable me to incorporate the impacts of a changing climate into my engineering practice. By Infrastructure Category: 73% 76% 35% 38% 42% 39% 42% 35% Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree 31% 47% 39% 38% 29% 37% 66% 77% 79% Total (n = 2,060) Water (n = 294) Trans port’n (n = 250) Energy (n = 340) Bldgs (n = 310) Other (n = 866)

Preferred Method of Receiving Climate Change Information Online resources Published guidelines, best practices, info pamphlets Articles in engineering publications or journals Conferences & peer interactions E-learning courses 30% 29% 14% 8% 5% 14% Classroom continuing education

Climate Change Knowledge CSA consulted with experts Solutions exist Applied research exists Knowledge continues to evolve … And can be more fully utilized More research is needed

Climate Change Program of Study Flexibility - Menu of options Integrate Climate Change into other topics Technical and Non-technical topics Connect the dots

Recommended Topics for Practicing Engineers - General Risk Emergency preparedness and response Financial, social, environmental implications Science and impacts of climate change Multidiscipline planning

Recommended Topics for Practicing Engineers - Technical Impacts and adaptations for storm water management Adaptations for road drainage structures Energy efficiency for buildings Impacts on hydroelectric generation Adapting to melting permafrost

CSA Educational Resources Courses Sustainable stormwater management - Fundamentals Sustainable stormwater management – Designing road and parking lot infiltration systems Emergency management and business continuity Is climate change changing your business Climate change adaptation – Tools and techniques Publications Infrastructure in permafrost – A guide for climate change

Sustainable stormwater management Fundamentals In-class instructor led Identified priority Advances are not being recognized Addresses multiple issues Inform not promote

Sustainable stormwater management Roads and parking lots In-class instructor led “How to” Benefits and risks Analysis methods Technical / Financial / Environmental

Emergency Management and Business Continuity In-class instructor led Identify critical infrastructure Analyze hazards Assess risks Develop plans

Is Climate Change Changing Your Business eLearning course Overview oScience of Climate Change oImpacts oAdapting to Climate Change oMitigation oRisks

Climate change adaptation – Tools and techniques eLearning course Desire for action - Unfamiliarity with resources Issues and concepts “Road map” of resources Overcoming barriers

Infrastructure in Permafrost Guideline for decision- makers Permafrost is a foundation material Climate change alters traditional approaches Risk assessments and climate modeling

Other Training Resources Engineers Canada – PIEVC infrastructure vulnerability assessments Environment Canada – Understanding global climate model output sessions Transportation Association of Canada – Guideline for transportation structures in permafrost NRCan – Dollars to Sense Energy Management Workshops

In Summary Climate change affects engineering Education is needed One size does not fit all Information can address multiple issues Resources exist – but must be used

Climate Change and Infrastructure Engineering Municipal Infrastructure Solutions Program -