From Coast to Coast to Coast: How Indigenous Communities Across Canada are Tackling Climate Change

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Canada’s vast landscape, stretching from the Pacific to the Atlantic and reaching into the Arctic, is home to a rich tapestry of Indigenous cultures. As climate change increasingly impacts these diverse regions, Indigenous communities are stepping up with innovative solutions. From the coastal rainforests of British Columbia to the icy shores of Nunavut, Indigenous-led initiatives are setting a new standard for climate action.

Pacific Coast: Coastal First Nations’ Marine Conservation

Along the rugged Pacific coastline, First Nations communities are leading groundbreaking conservation efforts that not only protect vital ecosystems but also mitigate climate change impacts.

(Image Credit: Getty Images [licenced], Unsplash)

The Great Bear Rainforest Agreement

One of the most significant achievements is the Great Bear Rainforest Agreement. This landmark conservation deal, led by Coastal First Nations, protects 6.4 million hectares of temperate rainforest. By preserving this vast carbon sink, the agreement plays a crucial role in climate change mitigation while also safeguarding biodiversity and Indigenous cultural practices.

Indigenous Guardian Programs

Coastal First Nations have established Indigenous Guardian programs, where community members act as the “eyes and ears” on their traditional territories. These Guardians monitor environmental changes, protect sensitive areas, and gather data that informs both traditional and scientific understanding of climate impacts.

For example, the Gitga’at Nation’s Guardians in northern British Columbia use a combination of traditional knowledge and modern technology to monitor marine ecosystems, track whale populations, and assess the health of important species like cedar trees.

Kelp Forest Restoration

In an innovative approach to both climate mitigation and adaptation, several Coastal First Nations are engaged in kelp forest restoration projects. Kelp forests sequester carbon, provide habitat for marine life, and help buffer coastlines against storm surges – an increasing threat due to climate change.

The Haida Nation, in partnership with Ocean Wise, has been cultivating kelp farms that not only capture carbon but also provide sustainable economic opportunities for the community.

Northwest Territories: Dehcho First Nations’ Carbon Offset Projects

In the Northwest Territories, the Dehcho First Nations are pioneering innovative methods to carbon management and land conservation.

Edéhzhíe Protected Area

The Dehcho First Nations worked with the Canadian government to establish the Edéhzhíe Protected Area, a vast 14,218 square kilometer region. This Indigenous Protected Area not only preserves crucial wildlife habitat but also serves as a significant carbon sink, contributing to Canada’s climate mitigation efforts.

Traditional Land-Use Planning

The Dehcho have developed a comprehensive land-use plan that incorporates traditional knowledge with scientific data. This plan guides sustainable development, protects critical habitats, and ensures that the land continues to support both ecological and cultural needs in the face of climate change.

Community-Based Monitoring Programs

Dehcho communities have implemented sophisticated monitoring programs that track environmental changes. By combining elder knowledge with scientific methods, these programs provide invaluable data on shifting wildlife patterns, changing ice conditions, and other climate-related impacts.

Prairies: First Nations’ Renewable Energy Initiatives

Across the Prairie provinces, First Nations are leading the charge in renewable energy development, demonstrating that economic development and climate action can go hand in hand.

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Louis Bull Tribe’s Solar Projects

In Alberta, the Louis Bull Tribe has installed solar panels on virtually every community building. This initiative not only reduces the community’s carbon footprint but also provides energy security and economic benefits.

Fisher River Cree Nation’s Solar Farm

Manitoba’s Fisher River Cree Nation has developed the largest solar farm in the province. This 1-megawatt installation generates clean energy for the provincial grid, creating revenue for the community while contributing to climate change mitigation.

Skills Training and Green Job Creation

These renewable energy projects are doing more than just generating clean power – they’re also creating opportunities for Indigenous youth. Many communities are offering training programs in solar installation and maintenance, preparing the next generation for careers in the green economy.

Ontario: Anishinaabe Climate Action in the Great Lakes Region

In Ontario, Anishinaabe communities around the Great Lakes are taking such as the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg to climate adaptation and mitigation.

(Image Credit: Mark Ashford)

Traditional Rice Harvesting and Restoration

Climate change and water pollution have threatened wild rice (manomin) harvests, a staple food and cultural touchstone for many Anishinaabe communities. In response, nations like Curve Lake First Nation are leading restoration efforts, reviving traditional harvesting practices while also adapting to changing environmental conditions.

Water Protection Initiatives

Recognizing the fundamental importance of water, many Anishinaabe communities are spearheading water protection initiatives. The Saugeen Ojibway Nation, for instance, has developed a comprehensive water management strategy that combines traditional knowledge with scientific monitoring to protect the waters of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

Arctic: Inuit-Led Climate Resilience Strategies

In Canada’s Arctic, where climate change impacts are most pronounced, Inuit communities are at the forefront of adaptation efforts.

National Inuit Climate Change Strategy

The Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, representing Inuit across Canada, has developed a comprehensive National Inuit Climate Change Strategy. This pioneering document outlines Inuit-led approaches to issues like food security, infrastructure, and health in the context of rapid Arctic warming.

Community-Based Sea Ice Monitoring

In Nunavut, Inuit hunters are collaborating with scientists on community-based sea ice monitoring projects. By combining traditional knowledge of ice conditions with satellite imagery and other scientific data, these initiatives are improving safety for hunters and providing crucial information on changing Arctic environments.

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Adaptation of Traditional Hunting Practices

As warming temperatures alter animal migration patterns and sea ice conditions, Inuit hunters are adapting their traditional practices. This includes adjusting hunting seasons, diversifying food sources, and developing new safety protocols for traveling on increasingly unpredictable ice.

Cross-Country Initiatives

While many climate initiatives are locally focused, Indigenous organizations are also driving nation-wide efforts to address climate change.

Indigenous Clean Energy Network

The Indigenous Clean Energy Network https://indigenouscleanenergy.com/ connects and supports clean energy projects in Indigenous communities across Canada. By facilitating knowledge sharing and providing technical support, this initiative is accelerating the transition to clean energy in Indigenous territories nationwide.

Assembly of First Nations’ National Climate Strategy

The Assembly of First Nations has developed a National Climate Strategy https://afn.ca/environment/national-climate-strategy/ that provides a framework for First Nations’ engagement in climate policy at all levels of government. This strategy emphasizes the importance of Indigenous knowledge in developing effective climate solutions.

Conclusion: The Power of Indigenous-Led Climate Action

From coast-to-coast-to-coast, Indigenous communities are demonstrating the power of place-based climate action. These initiatives not only address the immediate impacts of climate change but also promote sustainable livelihoods, preserve cultural practices, and assert Indigenous sovereignty.

As Canada grapples with the challenges of climate change, there is much to learn from these Indigenous-led approaches. By supporting and amplifying these efforts, and by creating more opportunities for Indigenous leadership in climate policy, we can build a more resilient, sustainable future for all Canadians.

The path forward is clear: effective climate action must respect Indigenous rights, incorporate traditional knowledge, and support Indigenous-led initiatives. As we face the growing climate crisis, the leadership of Indigenous communities across Canada offers not just hope, but a practical roadmap for creating a more sustainable, just, and resilient future.

 

– By Rye Karonhiowanen Barberstock

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Traditional Ecological Knowledge: The Cornerstone of Indigenous Climate Adaptation in Canada

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In the face of rapidly changing climate conditions, Canada’s Indigenous Peoples are drawing upon millennia of wisdom to adapt and thrive. This ancient knowledge, known as Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), is proving to be an invaluable resource in the fight against climate change. But what exactly is TEK, and how is it shaping climate adaptation strategies across the country?

Understanding Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Traditional Ecological Knowledge is a cumulative body of knowledge, practices, and beliefs about the relationship between living beings and their environment. Passed down through generations via oral traditions, TEK is deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual practices of Indigenous communities.

Unlike Western scientific approaches, which often compartmentalize knowledge, TEK embraces a holistic worldview. It recognizes the interconnectedness of all living things and emphasizes the importance of maintaining balance in nature. This perspective is particularly valuable in addressing the complex, interconnected challenges posed by climate change.

TEK in Practice: Climate Change Adaptation Strategies

Across Canada, Indigenous communities are applying TEK to develop effective climate adaptation strategies. These approaches often blend traditional practices with modern technologies, resulting in innovative solutions tailored to local environments.

Water Management and Conservation

In many Indigenous communities, water is seen as a sacred resource that must be protected and used wisely. Traditional water management techniques, such as the construction of small-scale dams and the use of natural filtration systems, are being revived and adapted to address changing precipitation patterns and increased flood risks.

For instance, the Okanagan Nation in British Columbia has been using traditional knowledge to inform their watershed management strategies. By combining TEK with modern scientific data, they’ve developed a comprehensive approach to water conservation that respects both ecological and cultural needs.

(Photo Credit: Zarif Ali, Unsplash)

Sustainable Hunting and Fishing Practices

As climate change alters animal migration patterns and affects fish populations, Indigenous hunters and fishers are adapting their practices to ensure sustainable harvests. This often involves adjusting hunting seasons, diversifying catch methods, and implementing stricter conservation measures.

In Nunavut, Inuit hunters are using their intimate knowledge of sea ice conditions to adapt to rapidly changing Arctic environments. By closely observing ice formation patterns and animal behaviours, they’re able to adjust their hunting strategies while ensuring the long-term sustainability of wildlife populations.

(Photo Credit: Byron Johnson, Unsplash)

Traditional Agriculture and Food Preservation

Indigenous agricultural practices, developed over centuries to withstand environmental fluctuations, are proving remarkably resilient in the face of climate change. Many communities are reviving traditional crop varieties that are better adapted to changing conditions.

In Ontario, Anishinaabe communities are reintroducing traditional “three sisters” agriculture – interplanting corn, beans, and squash. This method not only improves soil health and increases crop yield but also enhances the resilience of food systems to climate impacts.

Case Studies: TEK in Action Across Canada

Coastal First Nations’ Ocean Management in British Columbia

The Coastal First Nations of British Columbia have been at the forefront of integrating TEK into ocean management strategies. Their Guardian Watchmen program combines traditional stewardship practices with modern conservation techniques to monitor and protect marine ecosystems.

Through this program, Indigenous communities are able to track changes in ocean temperatures, monitor fish populations, and implement sustainable harvesting practices. This approach not only helps in adapting to climate change but also ensures the preservation of cultural practices tied to the ocean.

(Image Credit: Getty Images [licenced photo], Unsplash)

Cree Communities’ Fire Management in the Boreal Forest

In the boreal forests of northern Canada, Cree communities are reviving traditional fire management practices to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. These controlled burning techniques, passed down through generations, help maintain forest health and biodiversity while reducing fuel loads that contribute to larger, more destructive fires.

By integrating these traditional practices with modern firefighting techniques, Cree communities are creating more resilient forests better equipped to withstand the increased fire risks associated with climate change.

(Photo Credit: Izzy Edey, Unsplash)

Inuit Weather Prediction in Nunavut

In Nunavut, Inuit elders are sharing their traditional methods of weather prediction with younger generations and climate scientists. These methods, based on careful observation of cloud patterns, wind directions, and animal behaviors, are proving remarkably accurate in predicting short-term weather changes in the rapidly changing Arctic environment.

By combining this traditional knowledge with modern meteorological data, communities are better able to prepare for extreme weather events and adapt to changing seasonal patterns.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the value of TEK in climate adaptation is increasingly recognized, challenges remain in fully integrating this knowledge with Western scientific approaches. Issues of intellectual property rights, cultural appropriation, and skepticism from some in the scientific community can create barriers to collaboration.

However, there are growing efforts to bridge these gaps. Many universities and research institutions are now partnering with Indigenous communities to conduct collaborative research that respects and incorporates TEK. Government agencies, too, are beginning to recognize the importance of TEK in policymaking, particularly in areas related to environmental management and climate adaptation.

The Future of TEK in Climate Adaptation

As the impacts of climate change intensify, the role of TEK in developing effective adaptation strategies is likely to grow. Indigenous communities across Canada are leading the way in demonstrating how ancient wisdom can be applied to modern challenges.

For non-Indigenous Canadians, there is much to learn from these approaches. By respecting and integrating TEK into broader climate adaptation efforts, we can develop more holistic, effective strategies for facing the challenges ahead.

As we move forward, it’s crucial that we continue to support Indigenous-led climate initiatives and create more opportunities for knowledge sharing between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Only by working together and respecting diverse knowledge systems can we hope to build a more resilient, sustainable future for all Canadians.

 

– By Rye Karonhiowanen Barberstock

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Reflecting on the Future: The Importance of Generational Stewardship in Combating Climate Change

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In my quieter moments, often while leafing through the latest research and reports, I ponder the gradual degradation of our natural world. Human interaction, mainly through industrial and technological advancements, has left indelible marks on the Earth, and climate change remains a critical concern. This has led me to wonder about the state of the world for the next seven generations. If we consider a generation to span 25 years, this places the seventh generation in the year 2199. But what if we viewed generational shifts as cyclical, akin to the Earth’s revolutions around the sun? This perspective implies that every year is pivotal in shaping the future of our planet.

Today, the signs of climate change, though not yet disrupting our daily lives with immediate urgency, are undeniably present. From a broader environmental perspective, the consequences of a warming planet are profound, especially for our flora and fauna. Are they adapting to these changing conditions? History shows they have adapted before, but at what cost and to what extent can they continue to do so under the accelerating pace of human activity?

Reflecting on the past year alone, the increase in severe weather events, such as thunderstorms and tornado warnings, starkly contrasts with the isolated incidents of my childhood. This trend towards more extreme weather is problematic to ignore and has heightened my sense of preparedness as we approach another unpredictable season.

Looking ahead to 2199, I often wonder whether our future generations will be equipped to handle and adapt to these challenges. How will they fare against the potential storms of change and uncertainty? The decisions we make today will shape their reality.

As I observe the world around us, it becomes increasingly clear that we need a deeper understanding of our role within our ecosystem. Our survival and the preservation of life systems depend on our ability to sustain our ecological homeland. Without nurturing our natural resources—our water, air, and biodiversity—we risk not just hardship but possible extinction.

This realization brings an acute responsibility to act, not just for ourselves but for the entire planet. It requires acknowledging that humanity is not the center of existence but a part of a larger ecological equation. Each of us has a role to play in caring for our planet, preserving the systems that support all life forms.

The path forward involves embracing ecological knowledge to become effective stewards of our environment. This stewardship must be ingrained in our collective consciousness, influencing actions and policies that not only address the immediate environmental issues but also consider the long-term impact on the Earth and its inhabitants.

By fostering this ecological awareness and responsibility through generational education, I hope that by 2199, humanity will have cultivated a profound respect for our planet. This respect must translate into actions that support sustainable living and consider the welfare of the countless generations to follow.

As we continue on this journey, let us strive to leave a legacy that the seventh generation and beyond can look back on with gratitude—one where they inherit a world not only habitable but flourishing. A world where they, too, can thrive and continue the cycle of stewardship and respect for the richness of our shared Earth.

 

– By Rye Karonhiowanen Barberstock

 

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Promoting Gender-Responsive Budgeting for Climate Action and Social Change

All too often, gender-responsive policy is considered separately from budgeting, and from decision making about climate change. By bringing together gender equity and budgeting policies in the context of addressing climate change, there is the opportunity to address the adverse impacts of climate change on women and gender-diverse people worldwide, and to enhance the efforts to develop more impactful climate change strategies.

Gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) is “a strategy that promotes the goal of gender equity by allocating specific budgets for gender mainstreaming.” A concept first introduced at the Nairobi World Conference on Women in 1985, “gender mainstreaming” translates into an approach to policy making across portfolios (e.g., transportation, housing, climate change, etc.) that takes into account the interests and concerns of women, men, girls, and boys. In turn, GRB can be applied to the analysis of any policy-related portfolio, including climate change.

Most explorations of GRB focus on women and men, girls, and boys, rather than on gender diversity. As reported by the Native Women’s Association of Canada’s (NWAC) Toolkit – Impact of Climate Change on Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, Transgender and Gender-Diverse People, climate change “will negatively impact those who are already vulnerable due to inadequate access to housing, health care, food, and water among other factors,” namely, women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse People. The NWAC toolkit highlights how funding resources are crucial to facilitating environmental protection and to enabling gender-diverse members of Indigenous communities to contribute their knowledge and expertise to address climate change.

Conventionally, GRB calls for adjusting budget policies – according to revenues, expenditures, budget allocations and adjustments – to benefit all women, men, girls, and boys, and to eliminate discrimination. There are four steps to applying GRB to climate action; however, these steps can also be applied to the analysis of existing policies:

  • Identify the problem using key indicators, developed through research, and analyse the problem in relation to gender impacts.
  • When developing different strategies or programs (i.e., climate actions), consider how they are gender-responsive. What actions are necessary to benefit the breadth of gender-diverse people?
  • When allocating the budget and reallocating funds necessary to implement programming, ensure that the budget is adequate to support gender equity.
  • Engage in cyclical monitoring, checking whether expenditures are made as planned and if reallocations are needed. How have activities been executed, targets reached, and services delivered from the standpoint of the recipient(s)?

Over 100 countries have implemented GRB, and Bangladesh, Mexico, and Indonesia have implemented gender-responsive climate budgeting practices. Touted as a step toward accountability and transparency in decision making and women’s rights, GRB for climate action is also considered “an opportunity for effective collaboration between social and environmental sectors, and more effective budgeting to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

Gender-responsive policy must encompass intersectionality, gender diversity, link to budgeting processes, and be developed in the context of climate change to unite efforts in promoting social change and strategies for environmental protection.

 

By Leela Viswanathan

 

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Putting IWD 2024 in the Context of Intersectionality and Climate Justice

The theme for the United Nation’s International Women’s Day 2024 (IWD 2024) is “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”; however, any promotion of gender equality in the green economy should be done in the global context of climate justice and recognize the intersectionality of women.

Climate justice is the topic of recent UN reports that also centre on the intersectionality of Indigenous women in addressing economic vulnerability. For example, the 2022 policy brief “Climate Justice for Indigenous Women: Urgency and Way Forward” notes how “[i]ntersectionality and climate change cumulatively escalate Indigenous Women’s vulnerability,” such that the “[d]emystification of intersectionality of Indigenous Women should be the starting point for integrating reform at all levels.”

In addition, the 2023 report, Feminist Climate Justice: A Framework for Action, emphasizes how “gender inequalities intensify vulnerability to climate change impacts, which in turn jeopardize hard-won gains on women’s rights.” Although the framework centres intersectionality, it emphasizes women’s rights and gender roles rather than the full spectrum of gender expression. Examples of Indigenous Women’s leadership in their communities are also provided throughout the report.

Indigenous Women continue to lead efforts in addressing climate change, and their entrepreneurship is also driving initiatives to bring economic prosperity to regions that are hardest hit by climate change. However, investing in women and accelerating economic progress – the theme of IWD 2024 – must be done in the current context of climate justice while recognizing the intersectionality of women around the world.

 

By Leela Viswanathan

 

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Challenges in Regulating Deep-Sea Mining and Protecting Earth’s Oceans

Mining in the deep seas and climate change effects have negative impacts on Earth’s capacity to capture and store carbon. As stewards of the land and water, Indigenous communities want the United Nations (UN) to ban deep-sea mining worldwide and to recognize Indigenous sovereignty of the oceans. Mining companies continue to conduct their own environmental impact studies, and argue that extracting base metals found in polymetallic nodules, some millions of years old, from the deep sea, will save the planet, facilitate a greener economy, and address climate change. Discussions about the so-called “green rush” to the extract minerals from the bottom of the ocean, meeting decarbonization goals, protecting deep-sea ecosystems, and recognizing Indigenous sovereignty, are inextricably intertwined.

A recent scientific study by Norway and the United Kingdom, surveying 17 sites along the Barents Sea Floor, found that deep-sea creatures stored much more carbon than had been speculated before. Deep-sea mining and trawling not only destroy animal habitats, carbon, and sea creatures from the deep seabed, they also destroy animal habitats and jellyfish populations, from the middle sections of the ocean (i.e., midwater) thereby reducing the overall capacity of the oceans as carbon sinks and the number of organisms in “tens to hundreds of kilometres throughout the water column.”

The application of “terra nullius” (i.e., nobody’s land) to the oceans (i.e., leading to the idea of ‘aqua nullius’) demands recognition of Indigenous sovereignty over the oceans, including during the UN’s discussions about regulating deep-sea mining. In the year since the UN Global Oceans Treaty was signed in July 2022, there remain no finalized regulations governing the deep sea, including the depth at which sediment from the deep sea can be released in the mining process.

The UN-affiliated International Seabed Authority (ISA), responsible for developing regulations for deep-sea mining, met in Jamaica in July 2023 to discuss finalizing these regulations. Indigenous activists presented the ISA with a petition containing 1000 signatures representing 34 countries and 56 Indigenous groups calling for a total ban on the practice of deep-sea mining, noting how deep-sea mining and exploring happen without the consent of Indigenous peoples and threaten the Earth’s ecosystems. By the end of the ISA’s meeting, a final agreement was not reached; however, a timeline was set to have the regulations finalized “by July 2025, although this timeline is not legally binding.”

The Government of Canada remains cautious, supporting “an interim moratorium on deep sea mining, essentially signalling it would not agree to mining regulations until it had seen more science on how to do it with the least impact on the environment.” Collective knowledge about the deep sea remains murky at best, and the fight to implement and practice fair and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples persists, while companies line up to extract and profit from deep-sea minerals. As such, will environmental controls and laws on deep-sea mining be enough to protect the Earth and Indigenous sovereignty in the rush to a greener economy?

 

By Leela Viswanathan

 

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Locally Led Adaptation Principles and Projects

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Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) refers to community-led initiatives that are intended to guide people toward climate adaptation practices that are owned locally by community members and other partners.

According to the Global Commission on Adaptation, there are eight principles to guide locally led adaptation:

  1. “Devolving decision making to the lowest appropriate level” to facilitate direct engagement in determining the trajectory of local adaptation efforts.
  2. “Addressing structural inequalities faced by women, youth, children, Indigenous peoples and all those who are marginalized by society.”
  3. “Providing patient and predictable funding that can be accessed more easily,” so that locally-led initiatives and governance structures are sustainable over time.
  4. “Investing in local capabilities to leave an institutional legacy” and ensure long-lasting solutions rather than focusing solely on project-based funding and outcomes.
  5. “Building a robust understanding of climate risk and uncertainty” to inform decision making about local adaptation through different knowledge sources and experiences, including scientific data and Indigenous Traditional Knowledges.
  6. “Flexible programming and learning” that work with uncertainty and unpredictability exacerbated by climate change.
  7. “Ensuring transparency and accountability” among all participants.
  8. “Collaborative action and investment…across sectors, initiatives, and levels.”

A form of project-based funds for local, small-scale, Indigenous-led climate adaptation initiatives located in First Nation communities south of the 60th parallel, is Canada’s First Nation Adapt (FNA) program. However, to ensure the long-term effectiveness of locally led adaptation efforts and associated governance structures, communities need sustainable and predictable financing.

 

By Leela Viswanathan

 

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A Framework for Equitable Climate Change Adaptation for Municipalities

Municipal governments play a crucial role in land use planning and management in climate change, as noted in the Milestone document of Canada’s 2023 National Biodiversity Strategy, which, as a draft document, is currently open for public comment until February 9, 2024. To facilitate “[e]nsuring a whole-of-government approach to create policy coherence across environmental, economic, and social mandates”, as called for in the Milestone document, it is worth asking how can municipal governments facilitate equitable approaches to climate change adaptation?

Both the USDN Guide to Equitable Community-Driven Climate Preparedness and the ICLEI Equitable Climate Change Adaptation Report (that draws from the USDN Guide) offer a framework for local and municipal governments to develop equitable and inclusive climate change adaptation strategies. Both documents encourage a systems-based approach to identifying historical inequities in community planning and how the impacts of climate change across communities are assessed, knowing that “climate change vulnerability[ies] are not evenly spread.”

Equitable climate change adaptation involves municipalities and partners fostering equitable and inclusive participation leading to community-driven approaches to climate change adaptation. Drawing from the USDN guide, the ICLEI report elaborates on three equity objectives for local governments engaging in inclusive climate change adaptation strategies; these are procedural, distributional, and structural. Procedural objectives address the fair transparent inclusive processes and treatment of people, and highlights engaging participants from “communities disproportionately impacted by climate change.” Distributional objectives address an equitable distribution of resources and of the benefits and burdens associated with projects. Resources should also prioritize communities that experience “the greatest impacts, inequities, and unmet needs.” Structural objectives “commit to correct past harms and prevent unintended consequences” as well as address the inequities undergirding structural and institutional systems.

The ICLEI report offers a step-by-step approach to making the case for municipal governments to center equity in climate change adaptation and offers examples for climate change impacts on equity issues including, housing and homelessness, energy security, food security, and green infrastructure and public space. The report also highlights three associated project types, offering examples of adaptation infrastructure projects, adaptation plans and policies, and programming for climate adaptation, including the Project Watershed: Kus-kus-sum involving a partnership with K’ómoks First Nation and the City of Courtney in British Columbia, and related subsequent restoration plans.

Over 61 cities from around the world – including 23 Canadian cities – signed the Montreal Pledge (since it was proposed at COP15 in 2022) to undertake tangible actions to protect biodiversity. Several cities, including Montreal, Vancouver, and Quebec City also endorsed the Edinburgh Declaration, which recognizes “the contributions by subnational governments (including cities and local authorities) to the achievement of global diversity goals and targets” as laid out in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

Knowing that municipal leaders play a key role in determining how to “halt and reverse” the loss of biodiversity in cities, it is vital for cities to consider how to move from their intentions for equity in climate change adaptation, to achieving measurable outcomes.

 

By Leela Viswanathan

 

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Meeting Emission Reduction Targets: The CCPI 2024

Many countries are not on track to meet their committed targets to keep the global temperature rise to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030, as per the Paris Agreement. The Climate Change Performance Index 2024 (CCPI 2024) supplies data that ranks how sixty-three countries and the European Union – countries that “together account for over 90% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions –  are faring in their efforts to develop and implement mitigation solutions to climate change.”

The CCPI 2024 covers fourteen indicators of  “climate protection performance” in four categories:

  • Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
  • Renewable energy
  • Energy use
  • Climate policy

Austria, Denmark, and New Zealand have set 100% renewable electricity targets by 2030. Estonia recently joined these countries in setting a new target of 100% after reaching their first target of 40% in 2022. These countries place high in the CCPI 2024 rankings overall.

Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan targets a reduction in “emissions across the entire economy to reach [Canada’s] emissions reduction target of 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030” to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. According to the CCPI 2024, Canada is rated low across the board, on climate policy, GHG emissions, renewable energy, and energy use, placing 62nd out of sixty-seven countries.

Given that “more than half of the CCPI ranking indicators are qualified in relative terms (better/worse) rather than absolute,” even the highest-ranking countries, must follow through on their commitments to protect against global temperature rise.

 

By Leela Viswanathan

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