Australia gets climate resilience framework for rail

Climate resilience framework for rail has been launched by the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) to help guide investment in Australia rail infrastructure as the industry responds to the increasing impacts of climate change, as reported by Rail Express.

Also, ARA Chief Executive Officer Caroline Wilkie said the framework provides a nationally consistent approach to managing risk and promoting improved rail network resilience, redundancy, reliability and response to climate events.

“Increased investment in the resilience of the rail network is critical as our climate changes,” Wilkie said.

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“The framework will help the rail industry make the most of this investment to minimise disruptions and keep our passenger and freight rail services moving.”

Framework scope for critical rail infrastructure operators

In addition, according to the ARA, the climate resilience framework for rail is intended for operators of critical rail infrastructure as defined by the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018, and it also includes guidance for the wider industry, as outlined in the framework publication.

At the same time, its launch comes as the ARA continues its advocacy for increased resilience funding to support the future of freight. Separately, the framework reflects the association’s wider focus on climate change impacts on rail and the need for stronger preparation across the sector.

“Early preparation, coordinated action and continued investment are key to supporting strong, resilience supply chains, and this framework will help guide those efforts,” Wilkie said.

ARA climate resilience framework to evolve over time

Meanwhile, the framework was developed by ARA members and will be reviewed and updated over time as best practices evolve. In this way, the ARA climate resilience framework is positioned as guidance both for critical rail infrastructure operators and for the broader rail industry as resilience needs continue to develop.

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