Climate change risk and vulnerability framework launched

(L-R) Debra Sungi, CCDA Managing Director, Gibson Holemba, Secretary DoWH, representative of the Australian Transport Sector Support Program and a staff of the DoWH (Image: Supplied)

The Department of Works and Highways has launched a critical framework to support its climate policy.

Works Secretary Gibson Holemba says the climate change risk and vulnerability framework is a key policy to improve lasting infrastructure.

This follows a comprehensive study by the Department and partners like the Australian Transport Sector Support Program.

Secretary Holemba added that the Department has championed the implementation of climate best practices on road and bridge infrastructures.

Holemba also thanked the Climate Change Development Authority for its collaborative effort in achieving this.

Through CCDA government agency will secure financial support from external financiers like the Global Green Climate Fund.

The Works Secretary says DoWH is already piloting some of the climate resilient construction design standards into road construction and bridge specification.

Secretary Holemba beleives this will see improvements in engineering designs standards.

Holemba added that a key agenda now is to develop the hazard map assessment with the support of the department of Mineral and Geohazards with coordination from the CCDA.

Holemba added that the map will easily identify where structures can be built.

The Works and Highways Secretary says the launching of the policy frame work can be a monitoring system utilised by the Department going forward.