Permafrost Thaw: A Critical Issue for Infrastructure

Permafrost thaw in northern regions poses a serious threat to critical infrastructure, including roads, buildings and airports.

Ground instability caused by the thaw leads to settling, accelerating infrastructure deterioration and increasing maintenance costs.

These changes can also affect essential municipal systems, such as water and energy networks, disrupting services in northern communities.

According to the Climate Institute of Canada, the adaptation of northern structures could reduce damage to buildings by a factor of five by the end of the century.

Solutions to prepare for risks:

Implementation of tailored construction solutions
Using resilient materials and specific construction techniques
- such as foundation insulation to help reinforce the stability of infrastructure.
Development of maps of at-risk areas
- to identify the most vulnerable regions in order to better plan interventions and adaptation strategies.

Research projects are needed to develop construction and maintenance methods adapted to areas affected by permafrost thaw, as well as to assess the impacts of this phenomenon on infrastructure and communities. These efforts will help ensure the sustainability of northern infrastructure in the face of challenges posed by global warming.