Plan Smarter, Build Better with Climate Insight’s Newest Tools and Features

Climate hazards must be at the forefront of housing and infrastructure decisions made today. Otherwise, communities risk building homes and infrastructure that won’t stand up to tomorrow’s climate, leading to higher costs, unsafe conditions, and the need to rebuild later.

New Climate Insight features give communities the tools they need to understand and get ahead of increasing climate risks.

“Climate Insight’s new platform will provide communities with the tools and resources they need to protect their homes and infrastructure—helping build a stronger, more resilient Canada,” says the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure. “By working with our partners, we are laying the foundation for communities to withstand the climate challenges ahead.”

The right information makes it easy to be proactive

The latest release of Climate Insight makes it easier than ever to build future-ready housing and infrastructure. With a few clicks, users can get a snapshot of climate hazards in their community, quickly assess risks to assets, and calculate baseline emissions.

“Climate Insight’s new features don’t represent just an update—it’s a leap forward,” says Ewa Jackson, Managing Director, ICLEI Canada. “For the first time, communities have access to resources and tools that pair scientific data and local realities to produce insights at a glance that were previously out of reach. This is about giving every community, big or small, the ability to pinpoint where to act and invest with confidence.”

What’s new on Climate Insight

Users can use new and enhanced tools to future-proof homes and infrastructure. New features include:

• Hazard Profiles Map Layer: Display snapshots of the likelihood of climate hazards today and into the future at the neighbourhood scale, so you can build housing with climate hazards in mind.
• Rapid Risk Assessment Tool: Access quick, high-level climate risk assessment for localized projects or assets, including a housing module focused on unique risks to housing.
• Impact Cards: Learn how climate hazards impact various types of housing and infrastructure in clear, practical language.

“The new hazard and risk assessment resources from Climate Insight are a game-changer for smaller municipalities like ours,” says Lindsay Hargreaves, Environmental Initiatives Coordinator, City of Brandon. “They provide more detail and rigour than other free tools, and are also more accessible than other methodologies that require consultants.”

Use Climate Insight to find relevant, actionable data and information on building low-carbon, resilient housing and infrastructure.

Building smart

When it comes to housing and infrastructure planning, assumptions can be costly. Climate Insight gives users access to the data and information they need to proactively plan for climate change impacts. By enabling practitioners to quickly understand risks, communities can build fast while building smart.

“Climate Insight’s newest features fill a gap in data and information, and help build understanding of which hazards and risks are important in different areas, so community practitioners can prioritize their efforts,” explains Joshua Kelly, Engineering Director for Climate Insight. “It is so important for communities with limited capacity to have an easy way to access this information without spending a lot of resources, time and money.”

Supporting Canadian communities

To support communities facing increasing pressure to build housing and infrastructure, the Government of Canada has created a Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure. Climate Insight is part of this toolkit, which also includes the Climate-ready Infrastructure Services and the Climate Help Desk.

Climate Insight is a free online platform that provides relevant, actionable data and information on building low-carbon, resilient housing and infrastructure. With Climate Insight’s newest functionalities, decision-makers, municipalities, housing providers, developers, and infrastructure professionals now have access to new features and improved tools that make climate data and risk assessment more accessible than ever before. These updates will help communities identify where to take targeted action to protect people, homes, and infrastructure.

Visit ClimateInsight.ca to see how its free tools and resources can save you time and money.

Climate Insight is managed by ICLEI Canada with support from Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Canada, and is funded in part by the Government of Canada.

WEBINAR: Learn how new features help you build today for a changing tomorrow