Paving the Way for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure - UN CC:Learn

Chapter 5: What a Country Should Think About and Then Do to Address Climate Change and Infrastructure RisksDimensionsClimate change adaptation can be conceptualized across three different dimensions: spatial, sectoral andcross-cutting issues. A Rubik’s Cube helps to illustrate the intersection of these dimensions (see Figure 5.1).Figure 5.1: Conceptualization of spatial, sectoral and cross-cutting dimensions of climate changeSmall Cross-CuttingLarge AreaSpatial DimensionCoastsWaterTransportEnergyAgriculture& FoodSecuritySectoral DimensionHealthBiodiversityPoverty AlleviationCross-Cutting DimensionRegional Growth& SettlementsInfrastructureDisaster RiskReductionGenderSpatial dimensions consider the geographic extent of adaptation action, ranging from local to international.Spatial dimensions interact differently across a range of sectors, including coasts, water, transportation,energy, agriculture and food security and health. Finally, a series of cross-cutting issues — biodiversity,poverty alleviation, regional growth and settlements, infrastructure, disaster risk reduction andgender — make up the third conceptual dimension.Considering one slice from this conceptual cube — the infrastructure slice — indicates how it relates toother issues within the adaptation cube. In other words, using the cube as a model allows countries toconceptualize what infrastructure means in terms of water resource planning, health planning, managingbiodiversity impacts, gender issues, development issues, etc. This model also suggests the need to thinkabout how other issues and opportunities affect and can be leveraged around infrastructure adaptation.This illustrates the need for a holistic view of adaptation issues, including understanding how infrastructureimpacts and adaptation issues fit into a country’s broader development paradigm.56Paving the Way for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Conference Proceedings