Benchmarking Climate Adaptation in Ontario

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Municipalities across Ontario are on the front lines of responding to the impacts of a changing climate. Many communities have started to undertake formal planning to adapt to these impacts, however adaptation tracking and adequate reporting systems to measure the effectiveness of these actions do not exist. Improving the knowledge of adaptation implementation will help to improve efficiency and targeted action, and support an informed evolution of the next generation of capacity building programs and policies.

With support from Natural Resources Canada, the Climate Risk Institute (CRI) conducted an analysis of climate change adaptation implementation across Ontario municipalities. An online survey was distributed to over 400 municipalities in Ontario and supplemented with one-on-one conversations with municipal staff to reveal more detail on the current state of implementation and associated driving factors and barriers related to progressing adaptation. The 85-question survey included a list of detailed adaptation actions under the following thematic areas: economic mechanisms, municipal planning and decision-making, infrastructure, policy laws and regulations, nature-based solutions, capacity building and education, and community health, safety and well-being. The virtual interviews aimed to advance understanding of the nuances that were not apparent in the survey results and to obtain additional information in categories not contained within the survey including coordination and governance, enabling factors, prioritizing action, and reporting and evaluation.

This project establishes a snapshot of climate change adaptation in Ontario municipalities that can be used to address barriers and advance climate change adaptation policy and programs at all levels of government.