Effective planning for a changing climate: Municipal climate change adaptation in British Columbia

Abstract

Communities are faced with a wide variety of demands and challenges, and the urgency associated with climate change impacts adds a significant additional constraint on community resilience. This research aims to contribute increased understanding of the factors leading communities to acting and overcoming barriers to begin to address the pressing need to adapt to climate change. A survey and correlation analysis provide insight into the ways that mid-sized municipalities in British Columbia are addressing adaptation through planning and the research also uncovers connections between the factors that influence the implementation of projects that address climate adaptation. The research illustrates the importance of leadership at multiple scales, including political, senior management, and the leadership from internal climate champions. The many barriers communities face while attempting to plan for climate impacts is also illustrated, and with this the highly variable levels of action on adaptation policy development and implementation across the province.