Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities Program
About the program
Every year, coastal communities in Canada face more frequent and extreme climate events, such as floods, wildfires and heat waves, as well as slow onset climate impacts like thawing permafrost and rising sea levels. These challenges affect the quality of life, health, environment and economy of these communities.
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) supports coastal regions across Canada to adapt to a changing climate through its $41 million Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities (CRCC) Program (2023-2028) under the Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan (GOCAAP) linked to the National Adaptation Strategy (NAS). The program funds integrated regional-scale pilot projects on Canada’s three marine coasts – Atlantic, Pacific, and North – and in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region to:
- enhance the climate resilience of coastal communities and businesses;
- develop and coordinate innovative adaptation actions to reduce climate change risks;
- work collaboratively on systems-based adaptation approaches; and
- develop guidance that can be implemented in other coastal regions.
The program recognizes the disproportionate impact of climate change on Indigenous, northern, and remote communities and aims to reduce barriers in accessing resources for their climate change adaptation initiatives.
Projects
CRCC pilot projects bring together partners from all levels of government, the private sector, Indigenous communities, academia, and non-governmental organizations. Working together at a regional scale to co-develop both short and long-term adaptation actions that are aligned and regionally integrated can create more effective and innovative solutions to reduce overall costs, offer co-benefits, and avoid maladaptation.
Pilot projects will be listed as they are officially announced.
| Proponent | Project | NRCan Contribution ($) | Total Project Value ($) | Project Summary | Province/Territory or Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Planning Secretariat | Lifelines in the Fraser Estuary: Taking Care of Each Other for a Climate Resilient Future | $1,791,265 | $2,304,265 | This project will develop priority adaptation actions and address climate risks from sea level rise, flooding and erosion to local essential services across the Fraser River Estuary. This work will increase the capacity, knowledge and engagement of communities to take coordinated short- and long-term adaptation action and will be driven by collaboration with First Nations and local governments. | British Columbia |
| ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (Management) Inc. | British Columbia Southern Coastal Regional Climate Adaptations Collaborative | $1,557,900 | $2,249,900 | This project will address regional climate risks related to flooding, extreme weather and sea level rise within the southern coast of British Columbia by co-developing a climate adaptation action plan and a short-term implementation plan. This work will also include protecting species at risk, enhancing local biodiversity and addressing regional health concerns. | British Columbia |
| Vancouver Fraser Port Authority | Port of Vancouver Climate Adaptation Planning Project | $1,427,125 | $2,818,825 | This project will develop a climate adaptation plan for the Port of Vancouver that builds on substantial regional and port authority efforts to respond to climate change risks to port infrastructure and operations. It will consider social, economic and environmental dimensions and support the implementation of adaptation actions that increase the long-term resilience of port operations, regional supply chains, natural systems and neighbouring coastal communities. | British Columbia |
| Regional District of Nanaimo | Regional District of Nanaimo Coastal Climate Adaptation Strategy | $310,750 | $578,750 | This project will leverage previous modelling research of coastal flood hazards and risk assessments to support coastal climate resilience planning in the Regional District of Nanaimo. It will create an inclusive and collaborative resilience strategy for coastal climate change adaptation and preparedness by working with various levels of government, First Nations, shoreline property owners, businesses, and community members. | British Columbia |
| Aspen Global Change Institute | Global Leading Practices to Advance Coastal Adaptation in Canadian Communities | $99,253 | $191,143 | This project will share global leading practices from the United States, New Zealand/Australia, Latin America and Caribbean, and Asia related to regional-scale and integrated adaptation actions to inform solutions to sea level rise and related climate change challenges identified by Canadian practitioners. | Canada |
Call for proposals: Coastal Communities Adaptation Toolkit
The CRCC program is providing funding for a new national coastal communities adaptation toolkit to improve access to coastal adaptation resources and tools that support informed decision-making and actions in coastal communities across Canada, including remote and Indigenous communities, and those most affected by climate change risks. A particular focus will be placed on end users with limited capacity and resources.
The program is launching a call for proposals to develop and pilot this toolkit, which aims to:
- provide coordinated and curated access to existing resources from government, academia, private sector, and non-government organizations; and
- support professionals, decision-makers, and policy-makers responsible for adaptation with integrating future climate change considerations into policies, plans, and actions to increase climate resilience.
Funding
Up to a total of $2 million in contribution funding may be awarded for a project starting February 1, 2025, and concluding on or before March 31, 2028.
Deadline for applications
The call for proposals is now closed.
Contact us
If you have any questions about this program, please contact us at: adaptation@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
Related links
- Practice Guide for Advancing Climate Equity in Coastal Climate Change Adaptation
- Good Practices for Integrated Climate Change Adaptation in Canadian Coastal Communities
- Explore more climate change and coastal management reports, tools, videos and websites
- Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP)
- Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Platform / Coastal Management Working Group
- Canada in a Changing Climate: National Assessment Process
- Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy
- Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan (GOCAAP)
- Canada Invests in Climate Change Adaptation to Keep Communities Safe in British Columbia and Across Canada - Canada.ca
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