ALM UNDP

Summary:

UNDP, in collaboration with Coastal Zone Management, has produced a package of training materials on climate proofing infrastructure. These materials include a training video, presentation slides and an Introductory and Supplementary Resource Guide.
The training resources aim to provide guidance to governments, supporting institutions and others involved in climate proofing infrastructure at local,
national and international levels. As such, these materials answer the question: What do countries and other stakeholders need to think about and
do to address climate change and infrastructure risks?
 

Rationale

As the inevitability of current and future climatic changes has become more apparent, so has the complexity of its risks and impacts. Public and private infrastructure is particularly vulnerable to these issues. Climate-change-induced sea-level rise and severe storms pose significant threats to infrastructure (e.g., roads, bridges, buildings) and the communities who build, maintain and use it. In El Salvador, for example, severe flooding and landslides from the recent Hurricane Ida has resulted in US$239 million in losses, including 200 human lives and US$100 million in damages to infrastructure. Series of similar storms and impacts in this region indicate what will become a much greater problem.

Background

At the request of the government of El Salvador, a country highly vulnerable to climate-related hazards, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is working with experts in the country and the region to address the issue of climate change and infrastructure. To initiate this partnership and the facilitation process, UNDP hosted an
international conference on ‘Strategies for Adapting Public and Private Infrastructure to Climate Change’, held in San Salvador in June 2010, for ministry representatives, technical experts, and over 300 participants to discuss challenges and approaches for addressing climate change risks to infrastructure (for more information on the conference, visit the workshop resource page).
As a featured video presentation at this workshop, a recorded lecture (originally entitled ‘What a Country Should Think about and Then Do to Address Climate Change and Infrastructure Risks’) delivered by Dr. Robert Kay, principal consultant of Coastal Zone Management Pty. Ltd., provided conference participants with a key overview of how to
think about climate change risks and infrastructure, as well as approaches to address these risks. The video presentation is available here under the title "Climate Proofing Infrastructure: Conceptual Considerations and Recommended Actions."

Description

This video presentation delivers insight on dimensions of the climate change issue and adaptive potential of infrastructure, as well as tools and guidance for risk assessment, investment planning, and analysis and prioritization of adaptation options for infrastructure development. To facilitate understanding and continued learning on the topic, the video features presentation sides and makes reference to the Supplementary Resource Guide.
These training materials are also available in French and Spanish.