Details vital considerations for developing Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy (NAS). The NAS aims to steer the federal government towards creating a comprehensive strategy to tackle the impacts of climate change in Canada. Key Insights from Global Peers:

1. National Ownership: Developing a nationally owned, fit-for-purpose policy is crucial to address the impacts of climate change and catch up with international peers.
2. Urgency and Continuity: The National Adaptation Strategy should respond urgently to the challenge of climate impacts while providing a basis for continued, iterative adaptation action for the future.
3. Building on Domestic Capacities: Canada has a solid foundation of domestic capacities and international practices to build for effective adaptation.
4. Knowledge Management: A clear knowledge management strategy is essential for generating, synthesizing, and packaging data and information needed for adaptation efforts.
5. Leadership Opportunity: Canada can position itself as a leader in adaptation by applying its approach to key development issues and benefiting from lessons learned from other countries.

Overview

Introduction

Emphasizes the need for global experiences, improved domestic capabilities, and sustained adaptation efforts, including a comprehensive climate risk strategy, policy coherence, Indigenous reconciliation, and progress tracking. Canada can lead in climate change adaptation and sustainable resource management through global learning.

Most Canadians see climate change as an urgent crisis. Despite past federal attempts to tackle climate risks, a national adaptation strategy is still lacking. Under the new climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, the government is dedicated to developing Canada’s first NAS.

The government can adopt international practices to address climate change and devise a strategy that safeguards Canadians. This introduction reviews global adaptation trends, past federal efforts, and key considerations for Canada’s NAS development.

Adaptation Laws, Strategies, and Plans: What is the difference?

Emphasizes the need for a well-defined legal and policy framework for adaptation efforts. Laws set a firm basis for adaptation actions, while strategies and plans guide implementation and monitoring.

National-level adaptation governance is crucial for directing and resourcing lower-level adaptation actions. This can be achieved through laws and “policies”, which include decrees, strategies, and plans from the national legislative and executive branches.

By grasping adaptation governance’s laws, strategies, and plans, countries like Canada can formulate concise frameworks to tackle climate change, boost resilience, and foster sustainable development across all governance levels.

Key Trends in Global Progress on Adaptation Strategies and Plans

Highlights the need for ongoing adaptation planning, policy alignment for climate resilience, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and monitoring adaptation progress. By adhering to these trends and adopting best practices from worldwide peers, Canada can improve its adaptive capacity, manage resources sustainably, and prosper amidst climate change challenges.

Adaptation planning has advanced over the past two decades, with many countries integrating it into their policies. The UNEP’s 2020 Adaptation Gap Report confirms that 72% of countries have adopted at least one national-level adaptation planning instrument, while 9% are developing it.

Canada has incorporated adaptation planning instruments among these countries, reflecting a global shift towards resilience-building and proactive measures against climate change impacts. However, the specific instrument remains unspecified in the report.

Foundations for Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy

Canada can create a robust National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) for sustainable development amidst climate change. This includes policy coherence, institutional clarity, knowledge enhancement, monitoring, and sector integration. This outlines the key elements of Canada’s inaugural NAS.

1. Policy Context: Canada’s NAS should be based on a strong policy context that is aligned with international standards and domestic priorities, guiding adaptation actions and ensuring coherence across governance levels.
2. Institutional Structure: Clear institutional arrangements are vital for the implementation of NAS. Defined roles and coordination mechanisms can streamline adaptation integration into decision-making processes.
3. Knowledge Base: A strong knowledge base, including data collection, research, and monitoring, is crucial for understanding climate risks, vulnerabilities, and the impact of adaptation measures.
4. Monitoring Progress and Impact: Tracking and evaluating adaptation initiatives are vital for accountability and effectiveness. Regular assessments will monitor the NAS’s implementation and its resilience-building role.
5. Bridging the Climate Adaptation and Disaster Risk Integrating: Integrating climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction is vital for tackling linked challenges and maximizing synergies, thereby boosting Canada’s resilience to climate hazards.

Key Considerations for Developing Canada’s NAS

Presents crucial factors to consider when developing Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy (NAS). Considering these key considerations can help Canada develop a comprehensive and impactful NAS. This strategy will address climate change challenges, promote resilience, and position the country as an adaptation planning and implementation leader.

1. Set the Stage for a Successful NAS Development Process:
   • Define the exact role and purpose of the NAS to mobilize adaptation action effectively.
   • Specify clear institutional arrangements for the NAS to ensure coordination and accountability.
   • Build an inclusive and progressive engagement process to involve diverse stakeholders in the strategy’s development.
2. Include Core Elements for Mobilizing Federal Action on Adaptation:
   • Develop a unified approach to climate risk assessment at the national level for consistent evaluation.
   • Enable policy alignment around climate-resilient development to integrate adaptation considerations into decision-making.
   • Advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into adaptation efforts.
   • Design a clear framework and system for tracking progress in adaptation to monitor the effectiveness of adaptation actions.
3. Facilitate Early and Sustained Action:
   • Bridge the implementation gap to ensure timely and effective implementation of adaptation measures.
   • Create a knowledge management strategy to enhance understanding and dissemination of adaptation information.
4. Position Canada as a Leader in Adaptation:
   • Put gender equality and social inclusion at the heart of Canada’s approach to adaptation to address diverse needs and vulnerabilities.
   • Recognize the employment and labor aspects of adaptation to promote economic resilience.
   • Elevate the role of nature in managing climate risks by integrating nature-based solutions into adaptation strategies.
   • Address adaptation issues outside Canada’s borders to contribute to global resilience efforts.

Conclusion

By drawing insights and recommendations from global peers, Canada can emerge as an adaptation planning and implementation leader. Consequently, the NAS will enhance resilience, address climate risks, and promote sustainable development nationwide. It also highlights the importance of inclusivity, clear institutional roles, and effective monitoring for successful climate change adaptation.

Addressing Climate Change and Sustainable Resource Management

1. Unified Approach to Climate Risk Assessment: Developing a unified approach at the national level is crucial for effective adaptation.
2. Policy Alignment for Climate-Resilient Development: Enabling policy alignment around climate-resilient development is essential for sustainable resource management.
3. Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples: Advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada is a key aspect of addressing climate change and promoting sustainable practices.
4. Tracking Progress in Adaptation: Designing a clear framework and system for tracking progress in adaptation is essential for monitoring and evaluating efforts.
5. Early and Sustained Action: Bridging the implementation gap and creating a knowledge management strategy are vital for early and sustained action on climate change.

Specific Actions for Thriving in the Face of Climate Change Challenges

1. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion: Putting gender equality and social inclusion at the heart of Canada’s adaptation approach is crucial for building resilience.
2. Nature-Based Solutions: Elevating the role of nature in managing climate risks can help communities thrive in the face of challenges.
3. International Engagement: Addressing adaptation issues beyond Canada’s borders is vital for global cooperation and resilience building.