Building Natural Infrastructure Capacity Across Professions and Skilled Trades in the Canadian Prairies
As interest in natural infrastructure rises across the Canadian Prairies, there's a growing need to expand the expertise of professionals and skilled trades workers to support these projects. This report explores ways to enhance capacity by improving skills and knowledge across various professions.
-
Grey infrastructure will remain the default unless we increase the development of skilled tradespeople and professionals in natural infrastructure.
-
In 2022, the natural infrastructure sector directly employed over 33,000 people on the Canadian Prairies. If demand grows, there won't be enough professionals and skilled tradespeople to design, build, operate, and maintain it.
-
It's vital that professional associations build the availability and capacity of skilled professionals and tradespeople to design and deliver natural infrastructure projects.
As the demand for natural infrastructure continues to grow across the Canadian Prairies, it's essential to build more professional capacity. Successful projects are supported by various professionals and skilled tradespeople, including not only those traditionally involved in grey infrastructure, like engineers and planners, but also experts who work closely with nature, such as landscape architects, biologists, agrologists, and horticulturalists.
This report shows that professional associations are key to the future of the natural infrastructure sector. Without targeted capacity building for related professions and skilled trades, grey infrastructure will remain the default option.
Participating experts
Funded by
You might also be interested in
IISD Annual Report 2023–2024
While IISD's reputation as a convenor, a trusted thought leader, and a go-to source on key issues within the sustainable development field is stronger than ever, the work happening outside the spotlight is just as valuable.
Sustainable Asset Valuation of the Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture Capacity Strengthening Project in Ethiopia
This report analyzes the social, economic, and environmental outcomes of implementing agroforestry and climate-smart agriculture in Ethiopia.
COP 29 Outcome Moves Needle on Finance
In the last hours of negotiations, concerted pressure from the most vulnerable developing countries resulted in an improved outcome on the finance target, with a decision to set a goal of at least USD 300 billion per year by 2035 for developing countries to advance their climate action.
What to Expect at Plastics INC-5
Q and A with Tallash Kantai of Earth Negotiations Bulletin on INC-5.