12 organizations to help build municipal resilience against climate change

Today, the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) announced the not-for-profit organizations chosen to help 72 municipalities across Canada strengthen their resilience to the effects of climate change.

Each of the climate adaptation partners will provide expertise and guidance to a network of at least five municipalities that face similar geographic or climate conditions. They will design peer learning networks focused on climate change resilience activities and deliver training specific to their participating municipalities.

Municipalities are on the front lines of climate change, making this work critical. With this guidance and support, participating municipalities will work with their peers toward similar goals using innovative approaches and solutions to the challenges they face. They will learn how to integrate climate change adaptation into new or existing plans and systems. The result will be a range of products including climate vulnerability assessments, adaptation plans for coastal communities, risk assessment for energy utilities, and cost-analyses of the benefits of integrating natural asset management.

For example, the Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS) will work with six communities in the Outaouais region to develop stormwater management and flood intervention plans that respond to both regional and specific municipal concerns. Conservation Corps in Newfoundland and Labrador will work with the Miawpukek First Nation Reserve and five other communities to develop vulnerability assessments and/or response plans, as well as tools and case studies for future sharing.

“FCM is proud to help communities lead the way on environmental, social and economic sustainability. After all, municipalities are on the front lines of climate change. This initiative will empower local leaders with skills and tools to build more climate-resilient communities – in ways that can guide and inspire other municipalities across Canada,” said Jenny Gerbasi, FCM President

The funding for these initiatives comes from FCM’s climate adaptation partner grants. These grants are available through the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP) delivered by the FCM and funded by the Government of Canada. MCIP is a five-year, $75-million program designed to support and encourage Canadian municipalities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.

The 12 not-for-profit organizations chosen are:

1. All One Sky
2. Clean Foundation
3. Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador
4. Fraser Basin Council
5. Grand River Conservation Authority
6. ICLEI Canada
7. Institut national de la recherché scientifique (INRS)
8. MIRARCO
9. Ontario Parks Association
10. Ouranos
11. Quest Canada
12. Smart Prosperity Institute

For more information about the chosen organizations, please visit FCM.ca  MW