Resources will aid local governments in adapting infrastructure to withstand climate challenges
The federal government has rolled out free tools and resources to help communities build climate-resilient and low-emission housing and infrastructure.
Funded with a $94.7 million investment from the government, the Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure (CTHI) offers tools, resources, and access to climate experts, specifically targeting municipalities across Canada that need support in adapting to climate pressures and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in construction.
"As we deal with the growing impacts of climate change, the Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure will help us work with communities across the country to ensure that new homes and infrastructure have minimal impact on the environment," said Housing Minister Sean Fraser.
The CTHI offers three primary support services to help communities address climate-related challenges: the Climate Help Desk, the ClimateInsight.ca platform, and the upcoming roster of climate and infrastructure experts.
The Climate Help Desk provides direct, on-demand support for municipalities on infrastructure and climate-related questions. Staffed by experts from Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Canada, the Help Desk offers communities guidance on climate-resilient building practices and environmentally conscious planning.
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To address data access challenges, especially for small to medium-sized communities, the government has developed the ClimateInsight.ca platform in partnership with ICLEI Canada. The platform provides a streamlined source for climate-related data, tools, and resources, allowing communities to easily navigate the information necessary for climate adaptation planning.
"Climate Insight will play a crucial role in equipping local practitioners with the data and information they need to build low-carbon, climate-resilient communities," said Megan Meaney, executive director at ICLEI Canada.
Meanwhile, the line-up of climate and infrastructure experts will be overseen by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) and launch in December. The expert roster will connect smaller communities with specialists in housing, infrastructure, and climate to provide project-specific advice on emissions reduction and resilience.
"The Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts plays a vital role by equipping local governments in smaller communities with the specialized expertise needed to integrate innovative approaches to infrastructure projects that foster locally specific climate solutions,” CUI president Mary Rowe said in a press release.
This suite of resources is part of Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy, which was introduced in June 2023 and commits $1.6 billion in new federal funding toward climate risk mitigation.
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