Climate-proofing infrastructure could save taxpayers billions: report

A report sheds light on the impact hotter weather and heavy rainfall have on everything from roads to storm pipes and why governments should be proactive.

A report by the Canadian Climate Institute is shedding light on how climate-proofing public infrastructure could save the public billions in taxes.

“What we found is the rising heat and intense rainfall that climate change is bringing across the country is stressing infrastructure,” said Ryan Ness, director of adaptation at the Canadian Climate Institute.

The report says it’s costing the country $10 billion a year, which could eventually rise to $20 billion.

Ness points to upgrading materials and components of infrastructure when projects come up for renewal.

“It might be using more heat-resistant pavements or materials for roadbeds that better tolerate being saturated more often by intense rainfall, or it could be increasing the capacity of stormwater pipes and culverts by replacing them with larger-diameter versions to handle more intense rainfall,” said Ness.

The analysis is calling for an increased spending of $3 billion annually, or 2.5 per cent from what governments are spending currently.

Ness says issues that should be on the City of Calgary’s radar are roads impacted by fluctuating weather along with storm drain capacity to keep up with heavy rainfall.

“You get hotter temperatures that exceed what the asphalt was designed for,” said Ness.

“I can’t say for sure that’s happening in Calgary, but it’s a problem just about everywhere in the country.

“A lot of rainfall at once—that’s just overwhelming the storm sewers and the drainage systems that were designed to carry it away.”

Pouya Zangeneh, a professor in the department of civil engineering at the University of Calgary, says consideration for climate-proofing infrastructure should be prioritized.

“Everything is essentially going to be affected by climate change, and we have already seen some of the aspects of it,” said Zangeneh.

“We have to change the way we build. We have to change the codes to which we build. We have to consider new construction materials as well.”

In 2013, floods tore through Calgary and beyond, causing $5 billion in damage across southern Alberta.

Ness also highlights the economic spinoff from being proactive in keeping infrastructure operating.

“When it doesn’t fail, when it is operational when it’s needed, it means that businesses can keep functioning, people can get to work, supply chains remain intact,” said Ness.

During the 2013 flood and 2024 hailstorm, the City of Calgary’s infrastructure—water systems, parks, roads and buildings—was impacted.

“Extreme weather also increases the city’s operating costs and maintenance expenses while disrupting services for Calgarians,” said Stacey Rector, climate resilience and adaptation leader for the city.

“With the frequency and severity of these events increasing in the future, we anticipate that our changing climate will increase future capital and operating costs for city-owned public infrastructure.

“Evidence shows that enhancing the climate resilience of infrastructure helps lower future financial exposure to climate‑related impacts.”

The report can be found online here.