INNOVATION September-October 2015

f ea t u r e s

operators—including governments and the public—that the engineers recommending or approving climate-driven changes to design, operations, or maintenance of infrastructure have advanced training and experience related to vulnerability assessment and risk management, as well as the required practice licences.

vulnerability and risk assessment, engineers can safely and cost- effectively incorporate current and future climate into their practice. In the medium to long term, engineering vulnerability assessment is expected to be integrated as standard practice for infrastructure planning, procurement, design, construction, and ongoing operations and management. As evidence of infrastructure vulnerabilities to climate increases, adjustments to government policies and infrastructure codes, standards, operating policies, and procedures will be justified. In the meantime, adjustments to engineering practice through guidelines and continuing professional development will help to ensure that climate is given due consideration by engineers and their clients. v Guy Felio, P.Eng., is a civil engineer with extensive experience in infrastructure design and management. Following his recent assignment at Engineers Canada, he joined RV Anderson Associates Limited as Senior Infrastructure Management Specialist. David Lapp, P.Eng., is a geological engineer who worked as an engineering consultant for nearly 20 years focusing on ice information and marine navigation systems for Arctic regions. He joined Engineers Canada in 1997, and currently serves as Practice Lead, Engineering and Public Policy, focussing on environment, sustainability and climate change issues as these impact engineering practice and influence public policy. For the past 10 years, he has managed the long-term national project that developed the PIEVC Engineering Protocol. This article complements the presentation, Overview of Methodologies for the Vulnerability Assessment of Infrastructure to Climate Change, at the APEGBC 2015 Annual Conference.

Conclusion Canada’s engineering profession is developing and advancing knowledge of how engineers may adapt infrastructure to changing climate, and is building their capacity to do so through continuing professional development. Through engineering

3 0

S E P T E M B E R /OC TO B E R 2 015

i n n o v a t i o n