Climate Change & Green Infrastructure Stream

Target Audience

Municipal staff and elected officials seeking to:

• Gain skills to strengthen climate resilience in their communities.
• Understand climate change impacts on infrastructure-related services.

Course Description

By the end of this course, you will be able to

• Construct a framework for implementing an integrated climate change action plan and asset management program for your municipality
• Utilize climate forecast data specific for your community to identify climate vulnerabilities and opportunities for resilience.
• Explore key opportunities for integrating climate change into asset management.
• Consider infrastructure interdependencies in understanding risks posed by climate change on municipal assets and infrastructure.
• Gain a better understanding about a range of green infrastructure (i.e., natural asset and low-impact development) solutions and how they can be incorporated into municipal infrastructure projects.

This course takes a systems-perspective approach to discussing how climate change considerations can be incorporated into the asset management process. It is designed for Canadian municipal employees who seek a better understanding about how to integrate a climate-informed perspective into their asset management practice. Special features about this course include a tailored approach around students’ specific projects and an approach that combines the best elements of cohort-based learning supplemented by one-on-one mentoring or coaching.

Course Delivery Format

*  Currently cohort sessions are not available, and courses are offered on a self-led basis. If you are interested in cohort learning, kindly reach out to us via email at info@amontario.ca to join the waitlist.

• 5 cohort-based discussion/lectures from 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. ET. Purpose of these sessions is to apply and share knowledge to real scenarios.
• Sessions will be recorded to facilitate review & flexibility for learners
• + One-on-one mentoring & coaching
• + Online learning management system platform
• + Tailored to specific projects of individual learners

Hours Estimated

10 Hours + assignments +workshops / coaching.
CPD: 25-35 hours

Modules

• Integrating Climate Change & Sustainability Considerations Through Asset Management
• Climate Trends & Data
• Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience
• Climate Change Risks and Impacts on Infrastructure
• Green Infrastructure: Natural Asset Systems & Low-Impact Development

Developed in cooperation with the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority

Topic Outline

1. Integrating Climate Change & Sustainability Considerations Through Asset Management

• Forward Thinking: Resilience and Sustainability
• Foundations
• Implementing Climate Change Resiliency
• Taking Action

2. Climate Trends & Data

• Understanding Climate Trends
• Understanding Future Climate Trends
• Accessing and Applying Climate Data
• Takeaways

3. Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience

• Advancing Municipal Climate Action
• Integrating Climate Change into Asset Management
• Takeaways

4. Climate Change Risks and Impacts on Infrastructure

• Climate Change Impacts on Infrastructure
• From Climate Data to Information
• Infrastructure Interdependencies
• Financial Impacts
• Takeaways

5. Green Infrastructure: Natural Asset Systems & Low-Impact Development

• Understanding Green Infrastructure
• Green Infrastructure Solutions to Municipal Priorities
• Introduction to Green Infrastructure Asset Management
• Takeaways

Instructors

Sharon Lam is a Research Scientist with the Ecosystem and Climate Science team at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). In this role, Sharon works to advance climate science and adaptation through a range of collaborative, multi-stakeholder projects in the Toronto region and beyond. She supports the delivery of risk-based adaptation services through research project implementation, technical advisory, partnership development, and knowledge mobilization. Sharon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies (Honours, Cooperative Planning) from the University of Waterloo and a Master’s of Science degree in Planning from the University of Toronto.

Michelle Sawka is a senior research scientist with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). In this role she leads applied research and policy work related to urban forestry, greenspace, natural asset management, and ecosystem service valuations. Her past experience was in a more traditional infrastructure role where she was a sustainable urban transportation policy analyst and managed research in support of public transit agencies across Canada. Michelle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Geography (biogeography and hydrology) from the University of British Columbia and a Master’s of Applied Science degree in Environmental Science from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Nicole Allen
Executive Director / Mentor at NAMS Canada

Nicole is the Executive Director of NAMS Canada, and has delivered asset management training and support to municipalities and government organizations across Western Canada since 2011. Nicole is a civil engineer, having graduated from the College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. She has wide-ranging experience working in the areas of strategic planning, asset management, transportation, and land development. Nicole has worked extensively in both the rural and the urban sectors throughout western Canada and beyond. She holds a Masters of Engineering in Infrastructure Management.