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 works with 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.

The Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts will have regular intake periods to accept submissions. 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. To follow the project and be the first to know when Expert Intakes open, sign up for the CRIS newsletter and find us on Instagram. 

We accept applications to join the Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts on a quarterly basis throughout the calendar year. The first intake of expert submissions closed on December 31, 2024 and registrations will open again in the Spring. Check back for updates and intake deadlines on the website registration page.

For the latest news and to be the first to know about the next application window, sign up for the CRIS newsletter and follow along on Instagram.

Once you have registered to join the Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts, the CRIS team will review your submission and contact you by email with your approval status.

Upon approval, 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. Once a match has been made, a scope of work is finalized which outlines the deliverables and timeline, and a work order is signed between the Roster Expert and the local government 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. 

Roster members are encouraged to invite their municipal clients to register eligible municipal infrastructure projects online.

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.

The time commitment for the CRIS varies by project. Experts indicate their 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 and infrastructure 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. Local governments and Indigenous communities can register an approved infrastructure project at any stage of development to be matched with an expert who can work with the local team. The CRIS offers three types of support to help build climate resilience into infrastructure planning and projects:

  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. 

Review the full eligibility requirements and register your project here.

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.

A history of climate work is beneficial but not necessary. The CRIS aims to support local governments to integrate climate resilience and low carbon solutions into infrastructure projects. Infrastructure projects do not need to have predetermined climate considerations to qualify for this support, but a knowledge of established current and projected climate risks is an asset. Local governments are encouraged to go through the Climate Insight Tool prior to registering.

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.

Participation can enhance local capacity to plan and implement climate-resilient infrastructure projects. This builds long-term resilience, opens access to future funding opportunities, and strengthens relationships with climate experts who can support ongoing and future initiatives.

 

In cases where expert recommendations conflict with current plans or regulations, municipalities can request additional consultations or adjustments. The program is flexible, and the expert's advice is intended to enhance, not replace, existing strategies. 

Yes, project proponents will be required to provide feedback on the impact of expert advice and submit reports on the progress of the project. This information helps track outcomes and refine future matches to improve program effectiveness.

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.

The Climate Ready Infrastructure Service will accept registrations from local governments and communities on a rolling basis. Applicants can register an infrastructure project here.

Climate and Infrastructure Experts are invited to register during set intake periods throughout the year. To follow the project and be the first to know when Expert Intakes open, sign up for the CRIS newsletter.

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