The Climate Ready Infrastructure Service (CRIS) is a national initiative connecting local governments and communities with top climate experts to support the integration of low-carbon resilience into local infrastructure projects. It's part of the Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure, a suite of resources supporting infrastructure owners and decision-makers in developing projects that build resilience and contribute to Canada's path to net-zero emissions.

The Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure (CTHI) is a set of three resources designed to support municipalities in developing climate-resilient infrastructure. These resources include the Help Desk by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, the Climate Insight Tool from ICLEI, and the Climate Ready Infrastructure Service from the Canadian Urban Institute. Combined, they facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building, broadening access to climate expertise across the country.

The CRIS is managed by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI), a leading organization that promotes urban solutions in partnership with city builders, researchers, and community leaders across Canada.  

The CRIS is funded by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC), a department of the Government of Canada responsible for public infrastructure policy.

Climate-based projects enhance resilience against disasters, reduce long-term costs, and protect environmental resources. They also improve city attractiveness and livability, provide access to funding opportunities, and support reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through sustainable stewardship of the land.  

Yes, the CRIS is a federally funded initiative, supported by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada.  

The project is designed to support local governments in integrating low-carbon resilience into their infrastructure projects. By providing access to technical expert advice and guidance, the project aims to enhance decision-making processes and ensure that infrastructure developments align with the goals of Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan and National Adaptation Strategy. This service addresses the need for informed, sustainable infrastructure solutions that improve climate resilience and contribute to national climate goals.

The Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts is a curated list of experts sourced through the Climate Ready Infrastructure Service to be made available for municipal infrastructure projects.

Experts provide essential technical advice and guidance to local governments, helping them integrate low-carbon and climate resilience considerations into their infrastructure projects. By participating in the program, experts contribute to meaningful climate action, enhance their professional visibility, and have the opportunity to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges, ultimately supporting the achievement of Canada’s climate goals.  

The matching process for municipalities will focus on key areas of expertise, roster standing, and consideration for comparable projects completed in the region or a similar region. The matching process is designed to support cross-pollination, capacity building, and provide the best quality of expertise to local governments. Rates are considered in the matching process in addition to expertise, geography, and previous performance. 

Participation in the program, including access to experts through the Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts, is offered as an in-kind service to eligible municipalities and organizations. No direct funding or financial support is provided through this program.  

The expert's role is to provide advisory services, offering guidance on how to incorporate climate resilience into the project. They will not manage or execute the project but will ensure that climate considerations are effectively integrated into planning and design. 

Experts are selected based on their professional qualifications, experience in climate resilience, and ability to provide strategic guidance. They must demonstrate expertise in specific fields related to climate adaptation, mitigation, or sustainable infrastructure.  

The Climate Ready Infrastructure Service is actively seeking professionals who are experienced and currently practicing in a defined asset, infrastructure and/or climate field for which they have a combination of domain specific qualifications and experience (e.g., degree background and professional certification, standards certification). A fully qualified Roster Expert has demonstrated professional experience in integrating climate mitigation and/or risk management into their practice, and ideally has certifications related to their area of climate expertise (e.g. LEED accreditation, ISI Envision certification). 

Learn more about eligibility requirements and register to join here.

Joining the CRIS is an easy and quick process. To join the Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts, complete the registration form available through our online portal, which includes:  

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Documentation of professional certifications
  • Examples of relevant completed project work
  • Professional references
  • Information regarding availability (e.g., hours/month, geographic area)

Upon review of an application by a member of the CRIS Team, an online interview or follow-up questions may be conducted. 

Approved experts are provided with pre-approved areas of project engagement (i.e., types of project assignments, types of services provided).  

Experts enter into a standing contract with the CRIS. Upon signing of the standing contract with the CRIS, the Expert is added to the public Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts, including on the CRIS website, and is ready to be considered for matching to approved projects. New Roster Experts are expected to participate in a Roster onboarding session. An annual Roster member review will be conducted to ensure experts remain in good standing. During the matching process, roster experts are interviewed by the local jurisdiction seeking expert support, with a CRIS portfolio manager. 

Once a match has been made, a scope of work is finalized which outlines the deliverables and timeline, and a work order is signed to begin the engagement. Upon completion of the assignment, the roster expert, along with the local jurisdiction, are expected to complete a project completion survey. 

Yes, organizations of all sizes are strongly encouraged to join the Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts. The CRIS will match your expertise with local government projects that need support in integrating climate resilience into their infrastructure planning. 

Register your organization to join the Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts here.

Time commitment varies by project. Experts indicate availability in the registration process, and projects typically range from 60 hours over six months to longer-term engagements depending on the project scope.

Changes to availability will be handled case-by-case. Commitments are expected to be met as per the established contract, but accommodations may be made in exceptional circumstances.

Yes, financial compensation is provided, with rates based on project scope, duration, expertise required, and hours committed.

Experts may need to be available during regular working hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), particularly during key stages of project planning and coordination.

Experts register through our online portal, are notified of approval, and matched to a project. They then receive a project brief, discuss details with the municipal lead, and finalize the contract. After onboarding, the project work commences according to the contract.

Climate experts gain valuable professional development by working on diverse, impactful projects that enhance their portfolios. They receive financial compensation based on project scope and duration, and have the opportunity to expand their network with municipal leaders and fellow professionals. Participation also provides access to advanced resources and tools, enhances their recognition and credibility, and allows for flexible engagement based on their availability. Overall, experts contribute to meaningful climate action while advancing their own careers.

Local governments and communities can register their project through the Registration form, detailing project needs and desired expertise. 

This service aims to support local jurisdictions to ensure that climate issues are taken into account in housing and infrastructure projects. Three types of support are appropriate for this initiative:

  1. Climate Adaptation: If your community has plans to construct or retrofit housing or infrastructure, CRIS experts can help bring leading science to ensure that the project is resilient to climate change impacts. For example, if a community plans to replace a seawall or riverside bike/pedestrian path, experts from the roster can help to evaluate the conditions and offer options to reduce the likelihood that the new path is destroyed by future high tides or flooding.  
  2. Climate Mitigation: If your community is building a new community facility, experts from the service can help to ensure it is being designed to be energy efficient, utilize renewable energy sources, or be a low-carbon facility in other ways.
  3. Combination Low-Carbon and Climate Resilience: Projects may offer opportunities to both address climate-related risks and to use renewable energy and low-carbon materials. For instance, a low-carbon new community facility may also be located and designed to serve as a ‘resilience hub’ or refuge during instances of wildfire or community flooding, or periods of extreme heat. 

Local communities with a population approximately 30,000 or less are eligible to register an infrastructure project, including an Indigenous Governing Body or authority, or unincorporated communities within a regional district.  

Project Eligibility:

  • Project is a public infrastructure or housing project in an eligible asset class.  

  • The project either has Council approval and/or is included in a multi-year capital plan.  

  • The submitting local government has gone through the Climate Insight tool or has established current and projected climate risks.   

Eligible infrastructure assets include:  

  • Water Systems  
  • Storm Water Management  
  • Waste Water  
  • Bridges & Major Culverts  
  • Solid Waste  
  • Roads, Sidewalks, and Active Transportation  
  • Transit (e.g., Buses for Small/Rural)  
  • Fleets  
  • Fire & Emergency  
  • Heavy Equipment  
  • Buildings & Facilities  
  • Affordable Housing  
  • Fire/wildfire prevention and control  
  • Parks & Trails Green Infrastructure Amenities  
  • Green Infrastructure & Nature Based Solutions 

Find more information and register here.

Yes, Indigenous leadership bodies are invited to register for infrastructure project support.  

Eligible Indigenous Communities include: 

  • An Indigenous Governing Body, including but not limited to a band council within the meaning of section 2 of the Indian Act. 

  • A First Nation, Inuit or Métis government or authority established pursuant to a Self-Government Agreement or a Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement between His Majesty the King in right of Canada and an Indigenous people of Canada, that has been approved, given effect and declared valid by federal legislation. 

  • A First Nation, Inuit or Métis government established by or under legislation whether federal or provincial or territorial that incorporates a governance structure. 

  • A not-for-profit organization whose central mandate is to improve Indigenous outcomes; and an Indigenous development corporation. 

The CRIS supports communities with populations under or around 30,000 due to their often-limited capacity to implement climate solutions.

Participating local governments will gain access to specialized technical expert advice and guidance, which will enhance their ability to make informed decisions on incorporating low-carbon resilience into their infrastructure projects. This support will lead to more effective, sustainable project outcomes, better alignment with climate targets, and increased resilience to current and future climate challenges.

The program offers expert services but does not provide additional financial support.

Experts provide recommendations to help make projects climate-resilient but do not oversee project execution unless otherwise specified in the contract.

Yes, projects are expected to provide storytelling and data-driven metrics to demonstrate their impact.

Unexpected events, such as changes in funding or leadership, will be considered. Capacity building remains a key focus, ensuring that knowledge and skills gained through the program are sustained.

Applications are evaluated based on project readiness, including whether the project is part of a multi-year work plan. Additionally, a risk assessment is conducted to ensure that the project aligns with climate resilience goals and is positioned for successful implementation.

To be eligible, projects must be incorporated into a multi-year plan or capital budget to ensure its completion in the face of elections, economic states, and unforeseen circumstances. Projects in any other stage are ineligible for a service request.

Local governments can access the Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure, which includes the Climate Insights Tool and support from the Help Desk to guide project proposal development and readiness for expert matching.

Registration for the first round of the service will officially open on December 5, 2024.

Climate and Infrastructure Experts are invited to register before December 29, 2024.

Local Governments and Communities are invited to register before January 31, 2025.

Register as a climate expert or a local government here.

Participants register through our CRIS registration form on our website. This is a straightforward process which can take 20-30 minutes.