Climate Resilience: The Importance of Protecting Buildings

As extreme weather events become increasingly common, the climate resilience of infrastructures has never been more vital. Floods, storms, heatwaves, and heavy snowfalls place significant strain on buildings, threatening their durability and their occupant’s safety. Building managers, once focused solely on routine maintenance, now face more complex challenges: how can they protect their assets against these climate disruptions to preserve their value over time? 

What Is Climate Resilience? 

Climate resilience refers to the ability of infrastructures and communities to withstand and adapt to the impacts of climate change. In Canada, infrastructures are increasingly tested by extreme weather events such as storms, floods, wildfires, soil erosion, and permafrost thawing in the North. These phenomena, combined with rising temperatures and sea levels, can cause significant damage and undermine the sustainability of infrastructures. A climate resilience approach promotes sustainable solutions and is essential to minimize negative consequences for communities and their physical assets. 

The Impacts of Climate Change on Infrastructure 

Climate change intensifies and increases the frequency of extreme weather events, presenting significant challenges for building managers across Canada. Harsh winters bring unpredictable amounts of ice and wet snow that put additional pressure on roofs and structures. These accumulations can require costly snow removal operations and even lead to collapses. 

Storms and floods, on the other hand, cause substantial damage to roads, bridges, stormwater systems, and buildings. Extreme rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems, leading to overflows and flooding that can compromise building foundations and damage interiors. 

Climate Resilience as a Priority for Building Managers 

The data is unequivocal: according to the Canadian Climate Institute, every dollar invested today in adaptation measures yields between $13 and $15 in direct and indirect benefits over the years. In the long run, strengthening infrastructure resilience against climate change benefits both individuals and the economy. 

For building owners and managers, incorporating climate resilience into operations has thus become essential for protecting their infrastructure from the impacts of climate change. This resilience includes adopting advanced technological solutions to better anticipate, monitor, and manage the risks associated with extreme weather conditions. For example, smart sensors like those from Tensio provide real-time monitoring of snow loads on roofs or the status of roof drains, enabling managers to make informed decisions based on precise data and weather forecasts. 

Other technologies, such as HVAC system control automations, also help maintain occupant comfort during extreme weather by adjusting temperatures. By investing in these solutions, managers can reduce heating and cooling costs and gain greater peace of mind. 

Insurance Requirements and Expectations for Resilient Infrastructure 

With extreme weather events on the rise, insurers are setting stricter requirements for building resilience, especially for those located in areas highly exposed to heavy snow loads. These requirements aim to mitigate the risk of costly damage and claims, compelling property owners to take preventive measures to protect their structures. For some industrial buildings, it is now common for insurers to require real-time snow load monitoring systems, like those from Tensio, as part of a comprehensive risk management plan. 

In light of the growing impacts of climate change, climate resilience for infrastructures is no longer optional, but now, essential. Preparing buildings to withstand extreme events, such as storms and massive snow accumulations, protects not only the structures themselves but also the safety of people and the continuity of operations. More than ever, climate resilience is becoming a strategic investment that benefits individuals, the economy, and society as a whole. 

References: 

Government of Canada. (2024). Codes, standards and guidance for climate resilience.

Canadian Climate Institut. (2022). Damage Control: Reducing the costs of climate impacts in Canada.