Overview

“Adapting to climate change is the new reality…Many local governments are already at the centre of this reality; dealing with the effects of thawing permafrost, damaged infrastructure and heat waves. As practitioners of good governance, local governments must develop responses that protect their local citizens, environment and economy.” – Megan Meaney, Director, ICLEI-Canada
- E. Jackson, L. Barry and N. Marzok. (2010). Changing Climate, Changing Communities: Guide and Workbook for Municipal Climate Adaptation, ICLEI-Canada

Whether you are just starting to engage in a conversation about climate change adaptation in your community, are beginning to integrate adaptation into your planning and decision-making, or are looking to implement a detailed adaptation plan, the resources highlighted in this section can help.

Planning, decision-making and adaptation responses to climate change impacts will vary by municipality. Much depends on local environmental, economic, social and political circumstances.  For that reason, you’ll find resources helpful as a reference and will want to tailor them to the needs of your community. As you begin your research, you will find the following four steps are commonly recommended:

• Learn about climate change
• Learn about its impacts
• Identify local climate change impacts
• Assess risk and prioritize actions based on the risk of these impacts and your community’s vulnerability
• Take adaptation action by integrating adaptation priorities and considerations and actions into local plans and processes
• Monitor your progress and change the strategy based on new information, feedback from past actions and unforeseen circumstances.

To further refine your research, we’ve listed resources by adaptation focus area:

• Land Use
• Water Use
• Ecosystems / Natural Resources
• Infrastructure
• Emergency / Hazard Management
• Food Security
• Economics