Natural and Nature-based Solutions: condition assessment, valuation, risk and management services of Natural Assets

Designation Number:
CSA W235
Standard Type:
National Standard of Canada - Domestic
Standard Development Activity:
New Standard
ICS code(s):
03.100.70
13.020.10
Status:
Proceeding to development
SDO Comment Period Start Date:
SDO Comment Period End Date:
Posted On:

Scope:

Note: As requested by the responsible SDO, this NOI being reissued as the standard was in the initial stages of development for more than 12 months. An additional comment period of May 7 to May 29, 2024 (originally published on May 30, 2023). 

This standard or suite of standards would provide requirements and recommendations for assessing the condition of natural assets, determining the risks that could negatively impact them, and determine the valuation applied to these assets.  These standards will benefit natural assets in conjunction with grey infrastructure to support climate resilience. The topic areas covered by the proposed standard(s) include: a) condition assessment, b) risk c) valuation and d) integration in asset management planning. The proposed standard(s) would be applicable at a watershed/sub-watershed-scale. 

Project need:

The intensity and frequency of extreme weather events are causing impacts such as severe flooding and erosion across watersheds. There are currently no national standardized approaches for river flood and erosion risk management. Some jurisdictions have mature programs for addressing river flood and erosion risk, while other jurisdictions have little to no guidance. As watersheds cross jurisdictional boundaries, a standardized approach would address inconsistencies between jurisdictions. This project aligns with the objectives identified in the National Adaptation Strategy related to the use of Nature-based Solutions to increase resilience and maximize the co-benefits such as reducing stress on grey infrastructure and increasing social benefits of nature.

Note: The information provided above was obtained by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and is provided as part of a centralized, transparent notification system for new standards development. The system allows SCC-accredited Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), and members of the public, to be informed of new work in Canadian standards development, and allows SCC-accredited SDOs to identify and resolve potential duplication of standards and effort.

Individual SDOs are responsible for the content and accuracy of the information presented here. The text is presented in the language in which it was provided to SCC.