impacts, complete organizational vulnerability and risk assessments, establish a long-term adaptation vision and goals, identify relevant adaptation and implementation actions, and support a monitoring and review process.
Climate Change Adaptation Plan Vision:
Based on the results of vulnerability and risk assessments a list of local climate change impacts identified by the Community Task Force and City of Windsor Administration were prioritized. These impacts were categorized under the following themes: Impacts to Community Health and Safety; Impacts to Building and Property Damage; Impacts to Infrastructure Services; Impacts to Ecosystem Function; Impacts to Community Services; and Impacts to Quality of Life. Also considered was the impact of inaction, the Cost of Doing Nothing and the escalation in Climate Change costs depending on the combination of global emissions growth as well as local economic and population growth. Public Safety Canada estimates that every dollar invested in climate change adaptation saves $3 to $5 in recovery costs. In the past 4 years, the Corporation of the City of Windsor has spent over $8 million on emergency response and unplanned capital investments and the Windsor community experienced $232 million in insured losses as a result of the 2016 and 2017 flood events.
Targets and Actions
Windsor will continue to prepare for our climate future by creating a more resilient city to the effects of a changing climate by implementing a series of actions to reach seven key objectives. Those objectives are:
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Integrate Climate Change Thinking and Response
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Protect Public Health and Safety
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Reduce Risk to Buildings and Property
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Strengthen Infrastructure Resilience
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Protect Biodiversity and Enhance Ecosystem Functions
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Reduce Community Service Disruptions
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Build Community Resilience
Implementation:
To achieve goals of this plan, the City will require multiple streams of support including the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Office, City Administration, the Community Task Force, Community Partners (including external agencies, school boards, the private sector, developers, post-secondary institutions, etc.). A fundamental part of this plan is Communication, Education and Outreach, as many actions within call for community involvement and participation. Funding is key, a financial commitment is necessary to help protect the Windsor community from the effects of a changing climate. Tracking progress of a series of high-level indicators allows for plan success and longevity – reviewing vulnerabilities and risk assessment every 5 years at minimum. An Implementation update to Windsor City Council and Community Task force is to occur on biennial basis.