The PIEVC Protocol has been applied to over 25 public infrastructure projects across Canada and has been adapted for use in international applications by other governments. Results from these studies have been categorized by type of infrastructure in a database of climate-related infrastructure vulnerabilities, maintained by Engineers Canada. This database will be used for the review and adjustment processes for infrastructure codes, standards and related instruments.
Given that reviewing and revising these codes is a time-consuming process, can the engineering profession wait until code revisions are completed before tackling the problem of climate change impacts on engineering design?
The legal profession is starting to weigh in on this question: “…given knowledge of climate change effects in a geographic area as a result of the proliferation of climate-related information and projection models, if the “standard practice” at the time of designing a specific type of infrastructure project is to ignore potential climate-change effects (despite widely available evidence), the standard practice itself may be negligent. Adhering to a deficient standard would be a breach of a design professional’s standard of care to an injured person.” Patricia Koval, Climate Change Risk: Is Liability Lurking For Professional Engineers? Engineering Dimensions, PEO 2013.
From the perspective of Engineers Canada and the legal community, we cannot wait to act. We have a significant understanding now of both the probable effects of climate change and its impacts on various infrastructure sectors. We know many Canadian regions will likely face increased intensity and frequencies in precipitation, in addition to other extreme events. We also know that permafrost degradation will accelerate in the north.
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It follows that, if infrastructure is not adapted to be resilient in the face of new conditions imposed by climate change, then property damage and threats to public safety are likely to occur. Engineers Canada’s position is that their professional code of ethics requires engineers to be involved in addressing the impacts of changing climate on infrastructure design and operations because it affects public safety and the public interest.
Engineers, directors and asset managers also face the reality of increasing legal actions for alleged actions or omissions, with all of these cases related to climate change in some measure.
Integrating climate change vulnerability assessments
As applied scientists, engineers already know how to design in situations where there is uncertainty. Engineering builds upon assumptions, which are themselves vulnerable to uncertainties. Further, the modelling and assessment of uncertainty is unavoidable in any decision made during the planning and design of an engineering system.
The projected future operating environment conditions resulting from climate change also bring uncertainties. Some projected changes are reported with high certainty; for other parameters, the projections are less confident. This need not hold you back from assessing your designs for climate vulnerabilities that could result in damage, disruption and community impacts.
Just as a process engineer conducts a hazards and operability analysis (HAZOP) on an industrial process design, infrastructure designers should include a climate vulnerability assessment in their design process. This should focus specifically on the impacts of projected climate change and future severe weather events.
