Chapter 10: Identifying and evaluating critical infrastructure for climate hazard adaptation

Critical infrastructure is infrastructure which relates to national security, operation and public health. It maintains, facilitates and delivers services and functions that impact a country's economy and government and the individual wellbeing of citizens. Examples of definitions of critical infrastructure in different parts of the world are given in Table 10.1.

Infrastructure is typically administered by various entities and organisations, each responsible for specific aspects of critical infrastructure. This decentralised approach enables specialised management and expertise in each infrastructure system. For example, an energy system, which includes power generation and distribution, is often overseen by a combination of government agencies, regulatory bodies and private utility companies. Similarly, the transportation sector, encompassing roads, railways, airports and seaports, is managed by a mix of national, regional and district authorities as well as private operators. Other crucial sectors include telecommunications, water supply, healthcare and financial services. Each of these sectors has a unique set of stakeholders and regulatory frameworks. For instance, telecommunications infrastructure is typically managed by private companies but regulated by government agencies to ensure fair competition and service quality. Water supply systems are often operated by local municipalities or regional authorities, whereas healthcare infrastructure involves a complex network of public and private hospitals, clinics and emergency services. The financial services sector, which includes banks, stock exchanges and payment systems, is overseen by central banks and financial regulatory bodies.