The Case for Natural Infrastructure in the Canadian Prairies

This executive summary by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues for the adoption of natural infrastructure—such as conserved wetlands and restored riparian areas—to address aging water infrastructure and climate vulnerabilities in the Canadian Prairies. The document advocates for a shift away from 'grey' infrastructure (dams, pipes) toward nature-based solutions to manage water supply, treat wastewater, and mitigate disasters like floods and droughts.

• Natural infrastructure is presented as a cost-effective alternative to traditional 'grey' water infrastructure (such as pipes, ditches, and dams) to address an infrastructure gap and the deterioration of existing assets. It encompasses conserved or restored ecosystems and nature-based engineered features, such as green roofs, riparian area restoration, and wetland protection, to provide benefits including carbon sequestration, biodiversity support, and the treatment of stormwater and wastewater.
• The Canadian Prairies are identified as highly vulnerable to climate-driven events, including wildfires, droughts, and floods. The region has experienced a significant loss of natural assets, specifically a 40% to 70% reduction in wetland area caused by urban expansion and agricultural drainage.
• To scale natural infrastructure from 'novel to normal' in the region, the document outlines four necessary actions: strengthening the business case to show return on investment, supporting local governments (both urban and rural) to build capacity, ensuring sustainable and accessible funding—particularly for smaller communities—and implementing supportive policies across all levels of government and industry.

APA

Bath, S., Méthot, J., & Rawluk, A. (2023). The Case for Natural Infrastructure in the Canadian Prairies. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-05/case-for-natural-infrastructure-canadian-prairies.pdf

Chicago

Bath, Sumeep, Josée Méthot, and Ashley Rawluk. The Case for Natural Infrastructure in the Canadian Prairies. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2023. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-05/case-for-natural-infrastructure-canadian-prairies.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bath |first1=Sumeep |last2=Méthot |first2=Josée |last3=Rawluk |first3=Ashley |title=The Case for Natural Infrastructure in the Canadian Prairies |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=May 2023 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-05/case-for-natural-infrastructure-canadian-prairies.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bath2023case, author = {Bath, Sumeep and Méthot, Josée and Rawluk, Ashley}, title = {{The Case for Natural Infrastructure in the Canadian Prairies}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2023}, month = may, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-05/case-for-natural-infrastructure-canadian-prairies.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }