Overview and How To Access the PIEVC Resources

Overview and How To Access the PIEVC Resources

PIEVC Protocol Version 11 is Now Available (2024)

The PIEVC Protocol documents have been updated to Version 11. A brief overview of changes that have been made to the Protocol is available here.

A note to PIEVC Protocol users: Protocol users should note that the intended audience of the PIEVC Protocol is not specialists in any given area of practice. Rather, the PIEVC Protocol (and Program Resources) offer guidance to practitioners on how to ask for the right things from specialists they may need to retain. Users should always bring their full expertise to bear on a PIEVC Assessment – however, a climate change vulnerability assessment may require expertise and guidance that exceed the scope of the PIEVC Protocol.

Users are strongly encouraged to read the Meta-Analysis and Case Studies before they review the PIEVC Protocol.

The PIEVC Protocol should be considered a “living document.” Users are encouraged to engage with the PIEVC Program Alliance to suggest updates, changes, or edits to the PIEVC Program Resources, including the PIEVC Protocol. Please feel free to connect via pievc@iclr.org to provide comments on PIEVC resources.

The PIEVC Protocol was updated in 2023-2024, with funding support provided Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Canada.

A Note about the PIEVC Protocol and PIEVC Program Resources

The PIEVC Protocol forms the foundation for other climate risk assessment tools called the PIEVC Family of Resources. Each resource draws from the Protocol to address distinctly different applications but remains true to core PIEVC principles. The PIEVC user community continues to identify applications that focus on unique needs that expand the Protocol’s reach to other areas of climate risk assessment.

PIEVC protocol graphic

PIEVC Protocol: Detailed guidance on conducting climate change risk assessments. The Protocol serves as the authoritative source of the core principles that guide different types of climate risk analyses.

PIEVC High-Level Screening Guide (HLSG): The HLSG provides high-level assessment guidance, including providing a method for initial sorting of climate change risks and vulnerabilities. A general distinction of the HLSG and the full PIEVC Protocol is the level of detail pursued at each step of the assessment.

The Large Portfolio Assessment Manual (LPAM): The LPAM provides guidance on using PIEVC Protocol principles to inform priority-setting and management of climate resilience for large portfolios of assets. A presentation by Joel Nodelman, Nodelcorp. Consulting outlining the PIEVC Large Portfolio Assessment Manual is available here.

First Nations Infrastructure Resilience Toolkit (FN-IRT): The FN-IRT provides guidance for First Nations communities to assess the vulnerability of infrastructure, buildings, and facilities to climate change and extreme weather. The FN-IRT is owned and was developed by the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC), and enables communities to forecast critical climate-related risks over the lifecycle of their assets. More information on the FN-IRT is available through OFNTSC.

PIEVC Green: Guidance on assessing climate change risk, while considering broader social and environmental systems within which a system is located. A presentation by Stephanie Austin, NIRAS & CRI Associate, on the PIEVC Green Protocol is available here.

The PIEVC Family of Resources Catalogue

This Catalogue is a high-level planning document. It does not delve deeply into the various areas of expertise often necessary for skilled execution of climate assessment work. Each of the cited resources focuses more deeply on these skill sets and the experts and stakeholders typically necessary to support successful work. Parties are encouraged to consult with appropriate experts when planning their work. This Catalogue offers guidance on the resources that are available to support climate resilience work. Each project will require appropriate staffing and resourcing.

Living Document:

In this Catalogue, you will find boxes where you can add your examples concerning climate resilience. Your suggestions will help other users produce meaningful and practical adaptation actions. Your ideas may be included in future revisions of this document and will help the PIEVC Program develop new tools to support this work.

A brief presentation by Erik Sparling, Climate Risk Institute, outlining the Catalogue is available here.

The catalogue is available for download here.

HOW TO ACCESS THE PIEVC RESOURCES

To access the PIEVC Protocol, please contact pievc@iclr.org.  Users will be asked to complete the Non-Disclosure and Release Agreement (NDRA). Versions of the NDRA reflect the purpose and intent of the Protocol application.

NDRAs include:

  • Project NDRA: Provided where the Protocol is to be used for a project concerning assessment of infrastructure vulnerability.
  • Educational NDRA: Provided where the protocol is to be used for an educational application (development of workshops, presentations, etc.) or where a copy of the protocol is requested for review purposes.
  • Term NDRA: Responding to user requests, the PIEVC Program is piloting a “Term” NDRA. The Term NDRA will allow Protocol users to undertake multiple PIEVC Protocol assessments over a multi-year term using a single NDRA. Further, rather than requiring all PIEVC Protocol recipients to sign the NDRA, one “PIEVC Protocol Manager” will be identified to manage the protocol and user requirements set out in the NDRA.

Please note that there is no charge for use of the PIEVC Protocol for any public infrastructure vulnerability assessment in Canada.

 

The NDRA is intended to:

  • Ensure that the PIEVC Program is able to track and understand use of the Protocol.
  • Protect the integrity of the PIEVC Protocol process.
  • Ensure public availability of PIEVC Protocol assessment reports, to the extent possible.

Publication of PIEVC Assessment Reports

PIEVC Protocol users will be requested to submit a final PIEVC Protocol Assessment Report that can be placed on the PIEVC.ca website for public access.

The primary public good of the PIEVC Program is publication of final PIEVC Protocol assessment reports whenever possible. Users are granted free access to the Protocol to facilitate its use, and to ensure that valuable information concerning methods, data, and approaches to climate change vulnerability assessments remain in the public arena, all project users are requested to submit a publishable, final report.

 

Confidential Information in PIEVC Assessment Reports & Publication

Many applications of the PIEVC Protocol will result in production of confidential information. There is no obligation of PIEVC Protocol users to provide a report for the purposes of publication on PIEVC.ca that contains confidential information.

Where confidential information is a concern, users are asked to contact pievc@iclr.org to discuss potential for development of “non-confidential” summary reports that may be placed on the PIEVC.ca website.