Canada’s climate is changing. Higher temperatures, more frequent and extreme weather events, and rising sea levels are just some of the changes affecting many aspects of our lives, including our natural resource sectors and the communities that rely on them.
Canada is committed to ensuring a strong economy, healthy communities, and thriving natural resource sectors by taking actions that prepare Canadians for the changing climate and reduce the risks and uncertainties posed by climate change.
On This Page
- What is climate change adaptation?
- What is the difference between adaptation and mitigation?
- What is Natural Resources Canada doing to advance adaptation?
- Contact us
What is climate change adaptation?
Climate change adaptation refers to actions that reduce the negative impacts of climate change or take advantage of potential new opportunities, thereby increasing resilience to a changing climate. This can be achieved through the adjustment of plans, policies and activities, and often requires training and access to current information and decision-support tools. Adaptation actions can be reactive, in response to climate change impacts, or proactive, based on available projections of climate change impacts.
If you are interested in learning more about climate change adaptation, check out the Canada in a Changing Climate: Synthesis Report.
What is the difference between adaptation and mitigation?
Adaptation and mitigation are complementary strategies to address climate change.
Climate change mitigation refers to actions that slow the rate and magnitude of climate change, such as reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhancing activities that remove these gases from the atmosphere. Climate change mitigation strategies are being implemented across Canada’s communities and sectors, including mining, forestry, energy, transportation, infrastructure, waste management and agriculture.
Mitigation and adaptation actions complement each other, and both are necessary to protect communities and industries from the worst impacts of climate change. Mitigation slows the progression of climate change, allowing time to implement adaptation measures. Adaptation helps people respond to the ongoing impacts of climate change and prepare for a future with a significantly different climate.
One example of how mitigation and adaptation strategies work together is through the “greening” of communities – adding more parks, green spaces and trees. As an adaptation action, this helps to manage heat, reduce flooding and improve the physical and mental health of residents. The incorporation of green infrastructure also supports mitigation goals by reducing energy use (for example, the demand for air conditioning), and increasing the absorption and storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
By adopting adaptation and mitigation strategies together, Canada is ensuring that our natural resources are developed sustainably, supporting healthy communities now and into the future.
What is Natural Resources Canada doing to advance adaptation?
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) plays a crucial role in the Government of Canada’s efforts to advance climate change adaptation. It delivers funding programs that help economic sectors and communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change; conducts and translates scientific research to support informed adaptation decisions; and facilitates national collaboration to strengthen the networks, expertise and efficient use of resources needed to accelerate the implementation of adaptation actions across the country.
Providing funding through adaptation programming
Climate Change Adaptation Program
The Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP) (2022–2027) aims to support decision-makers in identifying and implementing adaptation actions, enhance adaptation knowledge and skills among Canada’s workforce, and increase access to climate change adaptation tools and resources.
The CCAP co-funds projects across Canada that advance adaptation in the natural resource sectors (i.e., forestry, mining and energy) and expand knowledge on the economics of adaptation and key emerging issues.
Visit the CCAP web page to learn more.
Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities Program
The Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities (CRCC) Program (2023–2028) aims to enhance the climate resilience of coastal communities and businesses across Canada that face significant and unique risks due to climate change.
The CRCC Program co-funds integrated, regional-scale pilot projects across Canada’s three marine coasts (i.e., Atlantic, Pacific, and North) as well as the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence region, reflecting diverse economic, social and environmental conditions. These projects unite partners from all orders of government, the private sector, Indigenous Peoples, academia, and non-government organizations to co-develop innovative adaptation solutions that address climate change risks.
Visit the CRCC Program web page to learn more.
Synthesizing and sharing knowledge to support adaptation
As Canada’s climate changes, new challenges arise across every sector, making it essential for industries and communities to understand and address the risks. The Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Division within NRCan leads Canada’s National Assessment Process, entitled Canada in a Changing Climate: Advancing our Knowledge for Action. This collaborative process produces credible, accessible reports on how and why Canada’s climate is changing; the impacts on our communities, health, environment, and economy; and how we are adapting across the country. These reports, called assessments, serve as valuable and trusted resources for Canadians to learn about adaptation and how our country is adjusting to climate change.
In recent years, the National Assessment Process has evolved based on user needs to include interactive versions of the reports at ChangingClimate.ca; along with case stories, graphics, and videos. It has also strengthened the incorporation of new voices and knowledge from diverse sources, including Indigenous knowledge systems.
The Map of Adaptation Actions, featured on ChangingClimate.ca, is a searchable, interactive tool that allows visitors to explore hundreds of concrete, on-the-ground examples of adaptation across Canada.
Learn more about the National Assessment Process and the current assessment cycle, and check out ChangingClimate.ca for interactive versions of the reports.
Enabling collaborative national solutions
NRCan leads Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Platform, which helps organizations across the country work together to share their expertise and knowledge on how to adapt to climate change. A key component of the Platform is Plenary, which includes representatives and experts from over forty private, public, and non-profit organizations. The Plenary meets regularly to identify critical areas for collaboration and resourcing, work on national priorities, and communicate and promote the latest adaptation knowledge, research and tools.
Conducting scientific research
NRCan climate change science research focuses on these key areas:
- Mining – CanmetMINING works with Canada’s mining industry to advance its ability to adapt to a changing climate across every phase of a mine’s life cycle.
- Forestry – The Canadian Forest Service (CFS) studies the impacts of climate change on Canada’s forests and how to adapt to changing climate conditions. It reports on indicators and provides adaptation tools and resources to forest managers.
- Flood mapping – In partnership with provincial and territorial governments, the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program (FHIMP) aims to complete flood hazard maps of high-risk areas in Canada and make this flood hazard information accessible.
- Mapping and Earth observation: The Canadian Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO) offers digital tools, geospatial information, services and analytics that help us gain a deeper understanding of climate change impacts, which support adaptation.
- Geoscience – The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) studies how our changing climate affects permafrost, coastlines, glaciers and the occurrence of extreme events such as flooding and landslides.
- Glaciers – The GSC measures, monitors and studies the condition of Canada’s glaciers, primarily as indicators of climate change, but also for their contribution to water resources, ecosystem functioning, and global sea-level rise.
- Permafrost – The GSC studies current and future conditions of permafrost, including assessing changes; mapping, and monitoring ground-ice conditions; and researching how permafrost, climate, and infrastructure interconnect.
- Groundwater – The GSC measures, monitors, and studies the condition of Canada’s groundwater. It collects data and conducts assessments of Canada’s aquifers (stores of groundwater), which are susceptible to climate change.
Building a climate-resilient economy
NRCan leads the Economy and Workers System of the National Adaptation Strategy (NAS). The goal of this system is to help Canada’s economy adapt to climate change impacts, particularly for communities at greater risk, Indigenous Peoples and vulnerable economic sectors, including forestry, mining, energy, fisheries, tourism, transportation, and infrastructure. NRCan is working with federal organizations and partners to integrate climate change considerations into economic decisions, from making the business case for adaptation to building a skilled, resilient workforce.
Ensuring that businesses incorporate climate change adaptation in their plans and strategies will enhance both domestic and global competitiveness, improve the resilience of vulnerable economic sectors, and strengthen Canada’s supply chains.
On June 27, 2023, Canada released the NAS alongside the Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan. The NAS presents a whole-of-society approach to reducing risk and building climate-resilient communities. You can read the full Strategy here.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact us at adaptation@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.