Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has launched the next Canada in a Changing Climate: National Assessment Process of how and why Canada’s climate is changing; the impacts of these changes on our communities, health, environment, and economy; and how we are adapting. Learn more about our reports and process at Canada in a Changing Climate: National Assessment Process and at ChangingClimate.ca.
The reports produced through this process are structured to inform sound decision-making on climate change adaptation, without being policy prescriptive. They assess existing knowledge, drawing from peer-reviewed published literature, local and practitioner knowledge, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, government reports and other sources from the broader literature base.
The National Assessment Process Secretariat is currently seeking authors for the new report ‘Living in Our Changing Climate’ (title TBC). A brief description of each chapter follows. Examples of potential chapter content are included to provide context; lists are not set or exhaustive. Titles and order of chapters subject to change.
- Synthesis: Integrative, concise synthesis of the report content structured around a set number of key conclusions.
- Setting the Stage: Will introduce the report and place in context, explain key concepts, present the scope and goals of the report, and provide the framing around people and communities (considering culture, well-being and identity) and the urgency to adapt.
- Methodology: Will explain the assessment process, highlighting what was new and lessons learned. Could become an appendix.
- Healthy Ecosystems: Canada’s ecosystems and protected areas in a changing climate. Will consider biodiversity, invasive species, conservation, developed landscapes, ecosystem services and nature-based approaches to adaptation.
- Water: Canada’s water resources in a changing climate. Will consider water quantity and quality; and the implications for water security and sovereignty, especially in Indigenous communities and with respect to the US.
- Food: Canada’s food security in a changing climate. Will consider agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, non-commercial and Indigenous food systems, as well as culture and ways of life, food affordability/accessibility, land use, food sovereignty and international considerations (e.g. trade, transport, supply).
- Energy: Canada’s energy systems in a changing climate. Will consider different sources of energy (e.g., hydro, gas, oil, nuclear, renewables), energy networks and infrastructure, supply and demand, trade considerations, and linkages with mitigation.
- Infrastructure: Canada’s homes, buildings and transportation infrastructure in a changing climate. Emphasis on built infrastructure and focus on the community level – consider framing around coastal, northern, large urban areas and smaller municipalities.
- Resilient Economies: Canada’s economy in a changing climate. Will consider jobs, workers, trade, supply chains, and insurance, natural resources/resource-based communities, and Indigenous economies.
- Canadians in the World: International dimensions in a changing climate. Will discuss Arctic shipping, Canada’s safety and sovereignty, implications of shifting climate mobilities and migration, transboundary and international issues and cooperation.
Author roles
The Secretariat is seeking to select Coordinating Lead Authors for the main chapters listed above (4-10) as well as compile lists of potential Lead and Contributing Authors and Student Leaders. Each role is described below. Each author and their role will be acknowledged in the final report. Recognizing that women and equity deserving groups may be less likely to self-nominate for leadership roles, we strongly encourage individuals from these groups to apply for the role of Coordinating Lead Author as well as those of Lead Author for this report.
Coordinating Lead Authors (CLA’s)
There may be 1-3 Coordinating Lead Authors for a given chapter. CLA’s are responsible for the following main steps:
- Engaging lead and contributing authors (writing team size varies from ~5-10 authors)
- Developing the chapter outline and key messages
- Coordinating development of their chapters
- Reviewing and integrating content from the contributing authors
- Drafting introductory and synthesis text (and other sections as needed)
- Ensuring chapter format, writing guidelines and timelines are followed
- Responding to external review comments
The Secretariat and Advisory Committee will work with the CLA’s to build their writing teams and ensure that it contains the appropriate expertise and supports meeting diversity goals. CLA’s will also work closely with the science editors, to ensure accuracy and completeness of the content, especially while finalizing the drafts. Throughout the Assessment process there will also be intermittent face-to-face meetings with the Advisory Committee, in which the CLA’s will be expected to participate.
Lead Authors
CLA’s may engage 1-3 contributors as lead authors. Lead Authors may be experts in a topic within the chapter, not necessarily on all topics within the chapter. Lead authors are responsible for assessing the knowledge of their given topic and drawing linkages to other themes in the chapter and report.
The lead authors will be asked to do the following:
- Prepare content for the chapter, often for a complete section
- Review the full chapter content at key stages (pre-review, post review, pre-finalization)
- Fill in for the CLA at face-to-face meetings or in teleconferences, when the CLA is not available.
Contributing Authors
Contributing authors will be engaged by the lead authors to prepare specific content for the report (generally less than a lead author). Contributing authors may also be invited to prepare case studies. All contributing authors will be given the chance to review the full chapter before it is finalized.
Student Leaders
Students may assist with knowledge assessment/literature reviews, ensuring Secretariat-provided guidance is applied to the chapter, or contributing to the writing. Students of all levels (undergraduate to graduate) will be considered. It is recommended that you anticipate being a student for the next 2 or more years.
Expression of Interest instructions
If you wish to be considered as an author (all roles) for the next Canada in a Changing Climate: National Assessment Process, please fill out the form at the link below. The call will be open until March 31, 2025.
Selection process
Expressions of interest will be assessed by the NRCan Assessment Secretariat. Invitations for Coordinating Lead Author roles will be sent directly to successful applicants. The remaining roles will be selected at a later date, in collaboration with the Coordinating Lead Authors for each chapter.
The selection process will consider familiarity with our Assessment reports and products, experience successfully leading collaborative writing projects, expertise on chapter themes and interdisciplinary issues, writing experience, and science communication. The author teams will also aim to be representative of different sectors, regions and academic disciplines across Canada working in climate change risks, impacts and adaptation, as well as reflect the diversity of Canada (e.g., including youth, Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQQIA+, persons with disabilities). If needed, the Secretariat may move to a more targeted invitation process to fill any gaps in the author teams.
Time commitment
Coordinating Lead Authors will be selected in April, with the intention of forming full author teams in the spring/summer of 2025. The expected report release is 2028. The time commitment for each of the roles varies. A survey from the last process indicated that the estimated number of days required to develop chapters ranged from 20-80 days. Lead and contributing authors generally will contribute less overall time.
Throughout the assessment process, the CLAs will be expected to attend meetings with the Secretariat and the Advisory Committee. These meetings will be conducted virtually with the exception of one meeting a year, which will take place in person. The first joint in-person meeting is tentatively planned for the fall of 2025. Contribution agreements between the CLA’s host organization and the Secretariat are established if needed to help cover the costs of dedicated time, travel to meetings, engagement expenses, and to support chapter development, (e.g., honoraria to authors).
Contact
We are very much looking forward to working with the new author teams. If you have any questions on the Canada in a Changing Climate: National Assessment Process or the roles of the author teams, please contact the Assessment Secretariat (nationalassessment-evaluationnationale@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca).