Flexible and adaptable strategies for developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure

Recent developments in the safeguarding systems, sustainable and green taxonomies and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Climate Resilience Framework (amongst others) have created new processes and criteria for delivering better climate and disaster resilience for infrastructure projects and assets. There is not yet a standard risk classification methodology for climate change risk assessment or the inclusion of disaster risk within it, or within other international standards such as TCFD, ISO 14091, 92. Applying a more dynamic selection of risk receptors, risk and hazard component variables, system/asset boundaries, timeframes and socio-economic surroundings along with the exclusion of compound risk factors can improve the extent to which a disaster and climate risk assessment can deliver stronger system wide resilience and shape adaptation pathways. This paper outlines key risk assessment elements and considerations that can improve their application, using practical examples from infrastructure projects and providing specific references to assist in replication. Key elements are: (i) the inclusion of social and environmental risk receptors alongside asset/infrastructure; (ii) bringing risk classification in line with IPCC risk definitions and associated vulnerability definitions; (iii) risk analysis that informs the creation of corresponding climate and disaster management plans, systems and processes; and (iv) moving beyond a compliance mindset to use a more dynamic risk assessment to deliver positive resilience outcomes in our assets and infrastructure.