The 10 warmest years in the historical record have all taken place after 2010.

According to the World Meteorological Organisation, there’s a 98% chance that one out of the next five years will be the hottest on record and a 66% chance of at least one year being over the 1.5 °C threshold. The global average temperature for July 2023 was the highest record of any month, being 0.72 °C warmer than the 1991-2020 average for July.

It is apparent that climate change is a global concern that needs to be addressed through legislation and robust systemic change.

Australia experienced its 7th warmest June on record in 2023, and natural disasters arising from increasing temperatures such as wildfires, extreme rainfall, and flooding have taken a toll on the local population and infrastructure.

With critical infrastructure systems being affected by this array of climate complications, steps have to be taken to address these situations to ensure that no lasting and irreparable damage is done.

One step in addressing these circumstances is maintaining thorough risk management standards. A well-established critical infrastructure risk management program can address certain aspects of climate risks. Here is how.

Effect of climate change on critical infrastructure risks

The conditions caused by climate change can have a serious impact on critical infrastructure risks.

Extreme weather events

Rising temperatures can cause an increase in the severity and frequency of extreme weather events such as wildfires, storms, and floods. These events can cause damage to infrastructure, disrupt operations, and compromise safety.

Extreme weather events

Rising temperatures can cause an increase in the severity and frequency of extreme weather events such as wildfires, storms, and floods. These events can cause damage to infrastructure, disrupt operations, and compromise safety.

Rising sea levels

Coastal infrastructure, from ports to transportation networks, is put at risk from rising sea levels and coastal erosion. This is especially devastating to Australia as much of the country is concentrated in coastal areas.

Rising sea levels
Rising sea levels

Rising sea levels

Coastal infrastructure, from ports to transportation networks, is put at risk from rising sea levels and coastal erosion. This is especially devastating to Australia as much of the country is concentrated in coastal areas.

Extreme temperature changes

Extreme temperature changes

Extreme heat and extremely cold weather conditions are equally damaging, particularly to energy infrastructure and transportation networks. This can cause higher cooling/ heating demands, potentially causing power interruptions.

Vendor Risk Management Image - 3

Extreme temperature changes

Extreme heat and extremely cold weather conditions are equally damaging, particularly to energy infrastructure and transportation networks. This can cause higher cooling/ heating demands, potentially causing power interruptions.

Water scarcity

Fluctuating weather can cause changes in precipitation patterns, resulting in water scarcity. This impacts agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and infrastructure systems like hydropower generators and water supply systems.

Water scarcity
Water scarcity

Water scarcity

Fluctuating weather can cause changes in precipitation patterns, resulting in water scarcity. This impacts agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and infrastructure systems like hydropower generators and water supply systems.

Ecosystem disruptions

Ecosystem disruptions

Disruptions in ecosystems that critical infrastructure relies on can have severe consequences. This includes water quality, wildlife habitats, and ecosystem services like flood control that support critical infrastructure.

Ecosystem disruptions

Ecosystem disruptions

Disruptions in ecosystems that critical infrastructure relies on can have severe consequences. This includes water quality, wildlife habitats, and ecosystem services like flood control that support critical infrastructure.

Adaptive strategies for a critical infrastructure risk management program

Temperatures in Australia have the potential to increase by as much as 1.8 °C by 2050 without the implementation of a low-carbon pathway.

Apart from enacting such sustainable initiatives, here is how mitigation strategies for climate risks can be incorporated into a critical infrastructure risk management program.

Resilient design and retrofitting

Utilising climate-resilient design principles in new infrastructure projects and retrofitting existing structures is a necessary step in enhancing their resilience to changing climate conditions.

Multi-hazard planning

As there is potential for a large array of climate-related hazards in Australia, considering these situations in risk assessments enables a more well-rounded understanding of risks and their consequences.

Resource diversification

Diversifying the resources utilised for infrastructure systems that depend on specific resources like water and energy prevents their operations from being disrupted by particular climate events.

Modular system implementation

Implementing module-based, flexible infrastructure systems makes the process of adapting and evolving over time to changing climate conditions easier as modular components can be upgraded as needed.

Nature-based solution application

Incorporating nature-based solutions such as green infrastructure, wetlands restoration, and sustainable drainage systems can help manage water-related risks effectively and enhance ecosystem services.

Collaboration and communication

Implementing risk management procedures that encourage collaboration and communication between stakeholders including government, private entities and local communities makes the process more comprehensive.

Stay on top of climate risks with critical infrastructure risk management solutions from SECTARA

SECTARA’s intuitive approach simplifies the process of risk management while maintaining the highest industry standards. SECTARA is aligned with international standards and best practices for security risk management including ISO 31000, Standards Australia’s Handbook 167, and NIST. 

SECTARA’s critical infrastructure risk assessment capabilities offer the ability to identify various risk vectors, formulate effective defence strategies, and increase the risk resilience of critical infrastructure entities.

Furthermore, SECTARA also helps maintain compliance with related regulatory bodies, such as CISA, FERC, DOT, NPSA, Ofcom, and ACSC.

Experience what SECTARA has to offer with the 14-day free trial. Click the button below to sign up.

Start your free trial

Some of the industries we serve

Government

Identify, monitor, and manage systemic risks associated with policy implementation, public safety, and national security with a scalable and configurable risk assessment solution.

Learn more

Critical infrastructure

Obtain insights to identify and mitigate potential threats to critical infrastructure like energy, transportation, and communication systems through professional risk assessments.

Learn more

Mining

Ensure safe, secure, and efficient operations and overcome common mining challenges like equipment failure and environmental hazards via a professional risk assessment solution.

Learn more

Defence

Obtain a comprehensive view of potential threats to national and regional security and implement effective risk management strategies with military-grade risk assessment solutions.

Learn more

Healthcare

Ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and other stakeholders while managing risks associated with medical procedures and data privacy through a configurable risk assessment solution.

Learn more

Finance

Identify, monitor, and manage critical risks like market volatility and data breaches with a risk assessment solution to protect stakeholder assets and ensure regulatory compliance.

Learn more

Consultancy

Help your clients make informed decisions about risk management by leveraging insights from a professional risk assessment solution that helps identify, address, and monitor risks.

Learn more

Cybersecurity

Protect your digital assets with our advanced cybersecurity risk assessment solutions. Stay ahead of evolving threats and fortify your defences with comprehensive risk assessments.

Learn more

Education

Identify and mitigate compliance, finance, operational, and reputational risks in processes such as student selection and regulatory adherence with professional risk assessments.

Learn more

Experience the capabilities of SECTARATM first-hand. Sign up for our 14-day free trial today.

Start your 14-day free trial

Please complete all fields.

.sectara.com

What you get with our free trial

2 users (Account Admin, Org & BU Admin, Assessor, Viewer)

2 concurrent assessments

2 organisations & business units

In product training

The ability to export assessments to MS Word

MS Excel treatment plans

White label SECTARATM platform

White-label exported documents

Audit records

Experience the capabilities of SECTARATM first-hand. Sign up for our 14-day free trial today.

What you get with our free trial

2 users (Account Admin, Org & BU Admin, Assessor, Viewer)

2 concurrent assessments

2 organisations & business units

In product training

The ability to export assessments to MS Word

MS Excel treatment plans

White label SECTARATM platform

White-label exported documents

Audit records

Start your 14-day free trial

Please complete all fields.

.sectara.com