Advances in Adaptation – A National Perspective

1. Advances in Adaptation – A National Perspective Prairies Regional Adaptation Collaborative ForumRegina, SaskatchewanFebruary, 2012Dr. Niall O’DeaDirector, Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Division

2. Purpose To provide… … an NRCan perspective on adaptation in Canada… … how that perspective has informed our approach to adaptation programming under the RAC program… … and how it will guide where we are headed now.

3. The context: Climate change adaptation has become an increasingly active area of work in Canada • Science • University research institutes and initiatives • New federal science programs • Economics • National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy • Private sector engagement (including insurance and financial sectors) • Policy • Federal Adaptation Framework • Provincial and territorial adaptation plans / strategies • Institutional Capacity • Regionally-based and funded Centres of Expertise More players, more focused / sophisticated discussion, enhanced ownership of the issues

4. Our role: Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has played a significant role since 1998 • Science • Research Program (1998-2007) • National Assessment (2008, 2013 update) • Policy • Intergovernmental Climate Change Adaptation Framework (2005) • Departmental Risk Analysis (2010) • Federal Adaptation Policy Framework (2011) • Institutional Capacity • Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Research Network (2001 - 2006) • Engineers Canada, Canadian Institute of Planners (2005-2012) • Regional Adaptation Collaborative Program (2007-2012) • Decision-support • Risk management tools • Case studies Objective – more climate-resilient communities and regions, and enhanced competitiveness of Canadian industry.

5. Our thinking: A number of principles / assumptions inform our work • Changing climate: • is a magnifier of existing climate risk, sometimes adding new dimensions • Adaptation: • is about managing risk and opportunity, uncertainties are unavoidable • is an iterative process involving a wide range of players across multiple levels of government, the private sector and civil society • should be mainstreamed as an element of decision-making, rather than being dealt with separately • Existing institutions, governance, management mechanisms: • are best positioned to address adaptation issues • bring networks of professionals that are critical for information dissemination NRCan works in practical ways to advance the leading edge of adaptation

6. Our approach: Collaboration is NRCan’s primary mechanism to advance adaptation • Collaboration takes time and presents challenges, however, is often necessary in order to: • avoid unintended negative consequences of adaptation actions (maladaptation) • create an enabling environment for local adaptation action (address barriers) • Benefits of collaboration include: • efficient use of resources • sharing of data, expertise and experience • building new understanding and synergies • “spin offs” • Collaboration is essential to fulfill the role of the federal government to facilitate adaptation action by others • (Federal Adaptation Policy Framework)

7. An illustration: Competing interests often make collaboration essential

8. Decision-making Continuum Unawareness General awareness Active engagement Focussed awareness Comprehensiveunderstanding Decision point Our evolution: Our emphasis has shifted along the decision-making continuum over time Knowledge transfer What am I adapting to? What are my risks? What are possible solutions? Which action to take? 1998 Information & knowledge producers Time 2008 Decision makers 2012

9. North BC Quebec Prairies Atlantic Ontario Evolving collaboration: The RAC program was designed to help translate adaptation knowledge into practical action • The RACs: • address regionally-identified priorities • linked to policy drivers rather than science questions • engaged ~150 local, regional and national organizations • together form a national network for sharing information and experience Catalyzing coordinated and sustained adaptation decision-making and action

10. Other Coastal Zones (19) 4% (26) 6% Water Resources Communities (153) 34% (126) 29% Sectors Infrastructure (Forestry, Agriculture, Mining, (60) 14% Health, Tourism, Multi-sectoral) (55) 13% Collaborative diversity: Each RAC is generating results across diverse themes

11. Transferable knowledge: RAC thematic results offer opportunities for knowledge exchange * Cross cutting products are counted in multiple categories

12. An illustration: Sea level rise in southern BC — collaboration leading to policy change Engagement - federal, regional and local governments, Canadian Institute of Planners Issues addressed: • Engineering - Infrastructure • Planning - Land use planning, flooding, agriculture • Parks and Culture - Urban forests, cultural resources • Police and Fire – Emergency preparedness and response • Legal Services - Liability assessments and law suit response

13. The next step: NRCan’s new program reflects the changing landscape of adaptation in Canada The Adaptation Platform Federal Departments NRCan, AAND, TC, EC, others Professional Organizations Regulatory bodies, Financial services, Engineers, Planners • Expanding the tent – industry and financial sector key participants • Engaging federal partners • Mechanism for information sharing and product development • Each participating organization brings its own resources and priorities PTs/Regions P/T Governments, Regional Adaptation Collaboratives National Industry Associations Energy, Mining, Forestry, Transport

14. CCIAD/NRCan Chair Platform Plenary Members Contributes to Platform priorities, activities, product development and dissemination Core federal departments, national industry associations, professional organizations and institutions, provincial and territorial governments, and RAC representatives May also participate as Working Groups Create targeted products, such as Participants RAC synthesis/legacy Economic risk analysis Coastal zone assessment Impacts and adaptation experts, regional and sector-specific experts, professionals and end users Update of National Assessment Measuring progress on adaptation … and other collaborative initiatives Structure for collaboration: Channelling diverse sources of knowledge into focused action The Adaptation Platform

15. The path ahead • Discuss and agree on shared priorities with provincial and territorial counterparts • Establish partnership with targeted industry associations • Launch Adaptation Platform in March 2012

16. Your feedback and suggestions are important www.adaptation.nrcan.gc.ca

17. Questions? Niall O’Dea Director, Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Division (CCIAD), Natural Resources Canada E-mail: Niall.O’Dea@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca www.adaptation.nrcan.gc.ca