Resilience Peer Network RSPN

Full recording

• Please note that a compellation of questions with answer is coming soon

Time	Notes	Speaker(s)
0:00:00	Welcome	Sam Sedlowsky, CEA
0:06:18	Fireside chat - part 1 Why Emergency Management and Climate Resiliency has emerged as a ministry How government agencies work together Sendai framework Regulations & EDMA	Amanda Broad, EMCR Maya Chorobik, CEA
0:24:02	Presentation: Integrated Disaster and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessment Slide Deck	Amanda Broad, EMCR
0:41:34	Fireside chat - part 2 Local government role Risk assessments - scale and framework ClimateReadyBC.ca Climate Grief	Amanda Broad, EMCR Maya Chorobik, CEA
0:57:37	Closing question: Share one word or phrase that reflects what you are taking away from this session.	Sam Sedlowsky, CEA

On January 25^th, Community Energy Association in collaboration with the Province of BC’s Climate Action Secretariat (CAS) hosted an inaugural Resilience Peer Network Session. Members were invited and represented individuals working on adaptation and resilience in the province across sectors and subject-matter areas.

Participants were introduced to the climate landscape, including with a presentation from the CAS about their role. This was followed by a local government Q&A before participants went into facilitated break out rooms.

Participants discussed what is working in doing adaptation and resilience work, what they need help with to do this work better, and what they are looking forward to in the future. The results are listed below and the responses from this work will help inform the future direction of the Resilience Peer Network and Lunch and Learns hosted by CEA.

Exercise #1 Takeaways

Participants were asked to identify what is working well for them in doing adaptation and resilience work. They were first asked to identify the 1) Tools and Resources, 2) Data, 3) Partnerships and 4) Engagement tools that are working well.

Participants identified the following tools and resources that support their adaptation/resilience work:

• Regulatory frameworks, such as regulations through the hazards act, provide essential guidance without extensive persuasion efforts. Clear climate plans with outlined actions and technical measures ensure informed decision-making.
• Various tools, including asset management tools, floodplain mapping, and hazard mitigation planning tools like NJ HazAdapt, support adaptation planning efforts.
• Collaboration among local governments and regional networks facilitates knowledge sharing and resource exchange. Governance discussions and tools like the Climate Lens Assessment support integrated planning approaches across sectors.
• Funding support, such as LGCAP funding, enables the establishment of dedicated adaptation positions and capacity-building initiatives.

Participants identified the following data that supports their adaptation/resilience work:

• Comprehensive hazard data and mapping, including information on local hazards, vulnerability at a neighborhood level, and floodplain mapping, provide valuable insights for risk assessment and decision-making.
• Collaborative efforts and support from organizations like Selkirk College, the Columbia Basin Trust, and the Regional District Initiative contribute to the availability of diverse datasets and tools for resilience planning. Access to various datasets, such as climatic data, LiDAR data, and demographic data, enables comprehensive analysis and planning for adaptation measures.
• Integration of data sources and tools, including statistically downscaled climate projections and regional climate mapping, supports informed decision-making and planning processes.
• Regional planning initiatives led by organizations like the Capital Regional District have been fundamental in providing crucial data insights and planning support for addressing climate risks and vulnerabilities.

Participants identified the following partnerships that support their adaptation/resilience work:

• Effective partnerships for resilience and adaptation planning in BC are characterized by robust engagement with Indigenous communities and self-governing nations, fostering early and meaningful collaboration.
• Partnerships with Indigenous communities are crucial for meaningful engagement and collaboration and should involve early engagement and integrated their lived experiences into planning.
• Intersectoral partnerships across academia (Selkirk College, SFU, and UBC), local governments, health authorities, and community organizations facilitate knowledge sharing and resource pooling.
• Regional coordination through networks like the West Kootenay Climate Hub, NorthCAN, and North East Climate Resiliency Network supports collaborative efforts and organizations like ICLEI and Coastal Adaptation Network facilitate access to funding opportunities, policy development, and project coordination.
• Leadership and innovation drive successful partnerships, with peer networks like the Climate Innovation Program by FCM provide platforms for best practice sharing.
• Partnerships with data-sharing organizations such as PCIC and CAS enable informed decision-making and planning through access to comprehensive datasets and climate projections.

Participants identified the following engagement tools that support their adaptation/resilience work:

• Community focused approaches such as leveraging youth working groups, community advisory committees, and local networks like the West Kootenay Climate Hub fosters inclusive dialogue and ensures diverse perspectives are heard. Engagement efforts extend beyond traditional channels to reach equity-deserving groups directly, promoting equity and climate justice.
• Internal engagement, capacity building and education across local government departments is essential for coordinated risk and resilience planning. Establishing internal climate action working groups and cross-disciplinary teams facilitates knowledge sharing and integration of climate considerations into various sectors, from emergency management to urban planning.
• Building partnerships with external stakeholders, including regional districts and community organizations, enhances engagement effectiveness. Collaborating with advisory committees, fire risk workshops, and health professionals promotes community buy-in and builds capacity for climate action.
• Incorporating climate adaptation and mitigation into community engagement activities, such as official community plan updates and nature-based solutions discussions, capitalizes on growing public interest and fosters community resilience.
• Engaging with doctors, nurses, and population health teams helps disseminate climate-related information and promotes public health resilience. Furthermore, community champions and partnership groups play crucial roles in driving climate action and fostering community resilience through education and advocacy efforts.

Exercise #2 Takeaways

Participants were asked to identify what they would need help with to do adaptation and resilience work. They were first asked to identify 1) Gaps/What’s Missing, followed by more specifics about 2) the Provincial Role, 3) Impact Measurement and 4) Addressing Resistance.

Participants identified the following gaps in doing adaptation/resilience work:

• An absence of legislation addressing multiple objectives (e.g., emergency management, land use planning, adaptation, etc.,) and the persistent silos in decision-making processes indicate a need for more integrated approaches.
• A lack of political support and clarity at the provincial level for emergency management and climate resilience efforts, hinders effective collaboration, especially with Indigenous partners.
• Unclear roles and titles for municipal staff involved in resilience/adaptation planning as well as challenges for capacity building and resource allocation due to inadequate change management processes, organizational buy-in, staff turnover, and complex funding landscapes.
• A distinct lack of clear metrics and accountability for adaptation efforts, highlighting the need for standardized methodologies and clearer key performance indicators to assess impact.
• Community engagement and awareness efforts are also lacking, with insufficient strategies tailored to regional realities and limited public awareness of their role in supporting resilience initiatives
• A lack of integration of natural assets into planning processes.

Participants identified the following challenges related to the provincial role in doing adaptation/resilience work:

• A need for increased support and guidance from the province, particularly in implementing Indigenous rights legislation and clarifying climate-related inquiries under emerging regulations.
• A call for improved information dissemination and proactive leadership to provide clear direction on adaptation efforts and emerging regulations (e.g., Emergency Act). Attendees expressed frustration with the complexity and competitiveness of grant application processes, advocating for simpler procedures and lower barriers to accessing funding.
• Data availability and consistency are crucial, with attendees emphasizing the importance of consistent and accessible data at provincial and regional scales (e.g., Hazard Data, LiDAR, natural asset registers, etc).
• Collaboration and integration across government levels and sectors are essential, with a desire for the province to incentivize and coordinate collaboration among local governments.
• Finally, legislative and policy alignment is needed to support water source protection, habitat connectivity, and landscape-level resilience, highlighting the importance of aligning provincial policies across ministries to prioritize climate adaptation effectively.

Participants identified the following impact measurement challenges in doing adaptation/resilience work:

• Challenges include the long-term nature of climate change impacts, making it difficult to measure immediate effectiveness.
• Attendees emphasized the need for consistent and clear metrics, highlighting variability across municipalities and the importance of standardized reporting for evaluation.
• Specific impact metrics, such as the number of Firesmart homes and damages from climate-related hazards, are crucial but require a holistic approach that considers both direct and indirect impacts on communities. Additionally, there's a need to define a realistic scope for resilience measures, considering affordability and cost implications.
• A holistic approach to risk assessment, integrating factors like invasive species, is essential for comprehensive resilience planning.

Participants identified the following for addressing resistance in doing adaptation/resilience work:

• Internal capacity and education play a critical role, as limited familiarity with updated information and feeling overwhelmed hinder effective prioritization.
• Addressing climate skepticism and building trust in science through education and outreach efforts are crucial.
• Engagement with various stakeholders, including frontline staff and trusted professionals, is necessary to convey the urgency of addressing climate impacts.
• Providing incentives for homeowners and linking adaptation measures to hazards can drive behavior change and investment in resilience.
• Finally, integration of resilience considerations into policies and collaboration across sectors and communities are essential to garner support and ensure effective decision-making processes.

Exercise #3 Takeaways

For the final exercise, participants were asked two questions: 1) Please identify what you are hoping for in the next five years in relation to adaptation and resilience, and 2) Who is a person or organization doing great work that you look up to? These questions can help us understand what participants are truly looking for and can help guide future workshop needs, including speakers and people to facilitate peer network sessions.

In regards to adaptation and resilience, participants are hoping for the following in the next five years:

1. Policy and Funding Support:

• Better integration of climate considerations throughout Official Community Plans (OCPs) and provincial legislations.
• Addition of adaptation/resilience measures funding for residents under CleanBC or similar programs.
• Simplified and more accessible funding models.
• Clear funding paths for local government infrastructure to respond to future climate impacts.
• Incorporation of climate adaptation and resiliency into community energy and emissions plans.
• Updated adaptation plans with solid implemented actions.

2. Collaboration and Coordination:

• Increased coordination between different levels of government.
• More collaboration within the community and with neighboring Indigenous communities.
• Support for nature-based solutions and sustainable forestry practices.
• Leveraging knowledgeable and passionate individuals within the community for adaptation initiatives.
• Guidance on pathways and associated costs for adaptation projects.

3. Enhanced Tools and Resources:

• Development of templates for adaptation plans, even if they are simple.
• Provision of provincial/community-level hazard data that is fully available and regularly updated.
• Availability of provincial climate risk modeling at a regional scale.
• Integration of clear goals/metrics to define adaptation success.
• Successful use of tools such as climate lenses and decision-support tools.

4. Equity and Inclusivity:

• Significant work on integrating equity into climate adaptation.
• Building and use of standards/best practices for nature-based solutions to ensure better success and standardization.
• Integration of climate risks/adaptation into disaster risk reduction/emergency planning and engagement processes.

5. Community Empowerment and Engagement:

• Empowerment of communities to undertake projects aligned with local priorities.
• Active involvement of communities in decision-making processes related to adaptation and resilience.
• Broader understanding and acceptance of the importance of responding to climate change, including addressing the needs of equity-deserving populations.

In regards to adaptation and resilience, participants believe the following people or organizations are doing great work:

1. Local Government and Communities:

• Saanich: Recognized for its bold and innovative work in climate resilience.
• Selkirk College: Acknowledged for bringing together people in the region to collaborate on resilience efforts.
• City of Vancouver: Praised for its efficient and effective action in identifying areas for climate resilience.
• Town of Gibsons: Noted for its exemplary management of aquifers despite neighboring areas facing severe water restrictions.
• Fort Nelson First Nation: Commended for its caribou habitat restoration work, demonstrating resilience in environmental conservation.

2. Knowledge Institutions and Research Centers:

• Stockholm Resilience Center: Respected for its research and contributions to resilience science.
• University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU): Acknowledged for their research and educational efforts in climate resilience.
• Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium (PCIC) at the University of Victoria: Appreciated for its climate data resources and research contributions.
• Municipal Natural Assets Initiative (MNAI): Recognized for its work in promoting the value of natural assets in resilience planning.

3. Government Agencies and Initiatives:

• Climate Action Secretariat (CAS): Mentioned for its support and coordination in climate resilience efforts.
• Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB): Specifically, Kristina Anderson from RDKB is praised for community and indigenous engagement on watershed and nature sources.
• Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN): Specifically, Jessica and Jamai from RDN are recognized for their work on climate projections and sea level rise studies.
• Federal Government (Canada): Appreciation for initiatives like climatedata.ca and the resources provided.

4. Peer Networks and Collaborative Spaces:

• Peer networks: Highlighted as valuable spaces for connecting and learning from others engaged in climate resilience work.
• Communities that have needed to bounce back quickly: Recognized for their resilience in facing and recovering from climate-related challenges.

5. International Examples and Resources:

• National Health Services in the UK: Commended for its resources on understanding the health impacts of climate change, emphasizing the importance of looking outside of Canada for valuable insights.
• SFU's Low Carbon Resilience Handbook: Mentioned for its contribution to informing climate action plans, showcasing the value of educational resources in resilience planning.

Full recording

Slide deck