Expression of Interest to participate on National Assessment Advisory Committee

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, environment, and economy; and how we are adapting. Reports produced in the last process can be found on ChangingClimate.ca.

The reports produced through this process are structured to inform sound decision-making on climate change adaptation, without being policy prescriptive. The last assessment process introduced new and innovative approaches to increase engagement and inclusivity of different knowledge types. This next process will build off that work.

The National Assessment Secretariat is establishing an Advisory Committee of approximately 20 members who will provide advice to the Assessment Secretariat to help guide the assessment process and ensure the results meet the needs of the target audiences. Their advice is sought on all aspects of the assessment process, including, but not limited to:

• assessment approaches and goals
• report format, structure and content
• supplementary and targeted products
• author involvement
• the review process
• communications and engagement

Members participate in their personal capacity as experts in the fields of impacts and adaptation, policy, communications, etc., and not as representatives of their host organization. As such, they are not expected to solicit input to obtain consensus from their organizations. However, they may, on their own accord, request further input and advice from their colleagues to help inform their contributions.

Expression of Interest instructions

If you wish to be considered as a member of the Advisory Committee for the next Canada in a Changing Climate: National Assessment Process, please fill out the form at the link below. The call will close on August 2^nd, 2024.

Expression of Interest

Selection process

Expressions of interest will be assessed by the NRCan Assessment Secretariat.

The selection process will consider familiarity with our Assessment reports and products, expertise and knowledge of climate change impacts and adaptation, engagement and outreach experience and science communication expertise. The committee will also aim to be representative of different sectors, regions and academic disciplines across Canada working in climate change adaptation, as well as reflect the diversity of Canada (e.g., including youth, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQQIA+, persons with disabilities.)

Time commitment

The committee activities will commence in fall 2024 and continue through the entire assessment process (approximately 5 years). Committee members involved in the last Assessment process contributed an average of 20-40 hours a year outside of the dedicated meetings.

The Advisory Committee will begin by collaboratively developing the Terms of Reference for the group. They will meet as needed over the course of the next 5 years, with meetings being held more frequently in the early stages of the process. These meetings will be conducted virtually with the exception of one meeting a year, which will take place in person. The first in-person meeting is tentatively planned for the fall of 2024. Those who require support to travel to meetings will be covered by Natural Resources Canada as per Treasury Board guidelines.

The kick-off meeting will allow the Advisory Committee members to get to know each other and provide critical input on the assessment scope and approach. Future face-to-face meetings may also involve the report chapter lead authors.

Language

Most working documents and communications of the Advisory Committee will be drafted in English, with final documents being translated and made available in both official languages.

Contact

We are very much looking forward to working with the next Advisory Committee. If you have any questions, please email adaptation@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.