To limit warming, there must be “rapid and far-reaching” transitions in how we use our lands, energy, industry, buildings, transportation and design our cities (IPCC, 2018). In order to stay on track for 1.5°C of warming, emissions would need to drop to roughly half of 2010 levels by 2030, nearing zero by 2050 (IPCC, 2018). As such, the Government of Canada’s current emissions reduction target is 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. However, a UN Environment report published in 2018 found that emissions pathways reflecting the commitments from the Paris Agreement would still constitute warming of 3°C by 2100 (UNEP, 2018). If the emissions gap is not closed by 2030, it is very plausible that the goal of a well-below 2°C temperature increase is also out of reach (UNEP, 2018).

Now more than ever, it is crucial that cities adapt to help community members prepare for increasing intensity of climate-related risks. The IPCC recommends a mix of adaptation and mitigation options to limit global warming to 1.5°C, implemented in a participatory and integrated manner (IPCC, 2018).

Policy direction on Adaptation

In addition to signing onto the Paris Climate Agreement, the Government of Canada has produced several reports that inform and guide decision-makers on climate change adaptation. In 2016, it released its Pan Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, which includes adaptation considerations and actions to improve climate resiliency. Major focus areas include building climate resilience through infrastructure, protecting and improving human health and well-being, and reducing climate-related hazards and disaster risks. The framework recognizes the important role that municipalities will play in implementing climate solutions locally.

While Federal and Provincial governments provide strategic focus, standards, and potential funding streams for adaptation, it will be up to local governments to tailor climate change adaptation strategies to their local circumstances and to the unique set of climate change impacts they expect to face.