Adapting to Climate Change: Canada’s Experience and Approach Elizabeth Atkinson Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Directorate Natural Resources Canada Working Together to Respond to Climate Change Annex I Expert Group Seminar March 2005

Atlantic Canada Ontario and Quebec The North The Prairies British Columbia Canada Current and Future Risks of Climate Change in Canada

Canada’s Policy Marketplace From: Making Policy – a Guide to the Federal Government’s Policy Process by Glen Milne (copyright 2001)

Government of Canada’s Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Program Funding research and undertaking science assessment  increasing focus on adaptation research  targeting priority areas for decision-making 2.Canadian Climate Impacts and Adaptation Research Network  bringing together research and stakeholder communities  facilitates regional and sectoral vulnerability analysis 3.Coordinating of policy analysis and development  analysis of climate change implications for existing policies and programs  recognition that adaptation actions taken within one region or sector will have significant implications for others

Canada’s National Adaptation Framework Federal, Provincial and Territorial government initiative to: help jurisdictions develop individual adaptation strategies identify areas where jurisdictions can work together Framework elements are: 1.Raise awareness of adaptation 2.Facilitate and strengthen capacity for coordinated action on adaptation 3.Incorporate adaptation into policy and operations 4.Promote and coordinate research on impacts and adaptation 5.Support knowledge-sharing networks 6.Provide methods and tools for adaptation planning Next steps: Formal agreement on Framework and negotiate implementation

Lessons Learned: Informing Next-generation Policy 2005> Adaptation needs to make the transition from a science to a policy issue Small reach needs to expand Knowledge gaps need to be addressed, but can be accounted for in a risk-based approach Adaptation needs to be integrated into government planning systems Partnership and communication are critical

Integrating Expertise, Stakeholders and Governments Draft Approach for Impacts and Adaptation 2. RISK MANAGEMENT PLANNING 1. ASSESSING RISKS - Expand awareness - Engage decision-makers - Train planners - Improve knowledge and understanding of risk & resilience - Build decision tools -Evaluate adaptation options 3. REDUCING RISKS Time - Take Action: implement policies, programs, regulations, revise codes, etc. Informed by: Assessments (IPCC, ACIA, National) Enabled by: National Climate Change Adaptation Framework

Constraints to Policy Development that Need to be Addressed Knowledge –Current and future climate vulnerabilities –Current and future adaptive capacity –Timing and rate of climate changes Engagement –Awareness and engagement of key opinion leaders and planning communities –Improved interaction between science and applied decision-making community Tools –Risk assessment methodologies appropriate for sectors, regions, etc. –Decision-making and risk managing tools appropriate to users –Costing of impacts and adaptation options –Processes to integrate CC into existing planning systems (mainstreaming)