The impacts of climate change are challenging all professionals and certainly, all NAPEG Members.
The Fifth Report of the International Panel on Climate Change (2014) makes it clear we can no longer rely on historical climate data to predict future climate or weather. This means that current codes and practices may no longer provide adequate guidance. NAPEG members are expected to demonstrate “reasonable care” in how they practice their profession in terms of the health and safety of the public. NAPEG recognises that considering the potential impacts of climate change must now fall within the definition of “reasonable care”.
Engineers Canada has prepared this Model Guideline for Engineers Canada Constituent Associations – Principles of Climate Change Adaptation for Professional Engineers. It is intended to guide professionals with this difficult topic.
NAPEG has adopted a version of this document that uses the word “should”, meaning “is recommended that” instead of a version that uses the word “shall”, meaning “is required to”. This is because NAPEG has adopted this document as a guideline and not as a regulation.
Both Engineers Canada and NAPEG also recognise that guidance on this topic will continue to evolve and encourage NAPEG members to provide feedback to the NAPEG office.