Risk assessments are an integral part of any climate change adaptation effort. A variety of frameworks can be used to undertake climate change risk assessments. But which one is right for you?

This session allowed participants to learn about leading climate change risk assessment frameworks and helped them choose which assessment to use based on objectives, parameters, available resources, capacity, and understanding of climate risks. Participants had the opportunity to sit down with experts in various climate risk assessment methodologies, ask questions, and receive guidance.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Presentation

• So you want to do a risk assessment? (Hiba Kariem)

Most of us are aware of the “implementation gap” and how this impedes our ability to make progress in line with net-zero by 2050 directives. But what—at the municipal level—does implementation really mean? What are the different components that make up this process? For the components that tend to be left out or neglected, how can we change this pattern? How can those in charge of planning set clearer, more comprehensive guidelines and promote greater transparency and accountability at the same time? 

Participants joined representatives from the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program in this networking and training workshop, where we tapped into our collective implementation knowledge and reviewed the value of using an implementation readiness survey and implementation matrix when developing a climate action plan. Delegates also had the opportunity to meet peers and exchange ideas. As a bonus, two online resources – PCP’s Implementation Readiness Survey and Implementation Matrix – were provided to participants. 

While this workshop was designed with PCP members in mind, it was also valuable to anyone working on climate planning and implementation.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Presentation

• Beyond the Implementation Gap: PCP Workshop 

Local governments from across Canada have set ambitious goals for deep emissions reductions, made commitments to energy transition, and have an obligation to protect their communities from climate risk. They cannot do this alone. Robust, inclusive, and long-term partnerships are required to implement the variety of actions that are required. These partnerships take a concerted effort to develop and sustain — particularly if they are to mobilize action at the pace required to address existing and emerging challenges.

This workshop explored a variety of collaboration models among local government, non-profits, and businesses and how these can accelerate progress on climate actions while generating multiple community benefits. Participants examined the benefits, risks, contributions, and perceptions of collaboration and worked in small groups to identify appropriate local collaboration opportunities for their communities.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Presentations

• City-level Partnerships For Climate Action: A Philanthropic perspective & Montréal Climate Partnership experience (Trottier Foundation)
• Climate Leadership Working Group: City of Kingston (Julie Salter-Keane)
• Riding the Bridge Between Activists, Politics and the Administrative Machine (Maja Vodanovic)

Tactical urbanism is all about taking action. Also known as “DIY Urbanism”, “Planning-by-Doing”, or “Urban Prototyping”, this approach favours short-term, low-cost, and scalable interventions as a catalyst to long-term change. Examples of tactical urbanism initiatives include things like pedestrian plazas, parklets, and pop-up bike lanes. Participants learnt how the City of Mississauga has been using this approach since 2019 to support its sustainable transportation goals with a biking tour extending from City Centre to the Credit Woodlands.

Thank you to Neuron Mobility for sponsoring the Forum and providing the e-bikes and e-scooters for this tour.

Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), Region of Peel, and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) are working together to transform Mississauga’s Lakeview neighbourhood into a hub for passive waterfront recreation, a hotspot for wildlife migration, and a green oasis in the heart of the city. The Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area is currently being built in what was formerly part of Lake Ontario using clean, recycled fill material, and will provide 26 hectares of new habitat including meadow, forest, wetland, and cobble beach. Delegates joined CVC and TRCA staff for a guided tour of the site while it is under construction and learnt about the vision, planning, collaboration, and challenges involved in creating this new conservation area including its visitor amenities and Indigenous placemaking features.

How can municipalities engage community members in climate action? Getting residents involved in forest restoration and invasive species control offers a practical approach that generates multiple co-benefits. We visited various parks and learnt how the City of Mississauga engages community members in tree planting and invasive species control while simultaneously working to conserve, enhance and connect its wetlands, woodlands and natural areas.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Urban transit systems have an important role to play in building resilient, equitable, and livable communities. Once in service, the 18 kilometre Hazel McCallion Line will bring a new, environmentally friendly, and reliable method of transportation to the rapidly growing cities of Mississauga and Brampton. This light-rail transit (LRT) system will feature 19 stops, travel through two urban growth centres, and connect to major transit systems. While provincially-led, the Hazel McCallion Line is a key city-building initiative and the largest transit infrastructure project to take place in Mississauga’s history. Participants learnt more about this exciting project as they travelled through what will become the new transit corridor along Hurontario and learnt about other transit infrastructure projects on the city’s horizon.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Tim Lai, Manager of Communications and Stakeholder Relations, City of Mississauga

In the face of more frequent and intense extreme precipitation events, many municipalities are using stormwater management to build neighbourhood-level flood resilience. We learnt how the City of Mississauga is doing this within the Cooksville Creek watershed (i.e., using stormwater management to help reduce the occurrences of flooding) and how it is also integrating stormwater infrastructure with parkland planning and development as the city continues to grow and urbanize. This tour explored Saigon Park which provides 11ha of public green space, recreational amenities, and stormwater infrastructure near the City of Mississauga’s downtown core.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Did you know that Mississauga includes 22 km of Lake Ontario’s waterfront? This stretch of shoreline includes 26 existing and 5 planned parks that are connected by the Waterfront Trail and by Lakeshore Road. This tour explored Mississauga’s waterfront parks and we learnt how the city is leading flood-resilient parks and public space redevelopment along the shores of Lake Ontario and the Credit River.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

When integrated into community systems, circular economy concepts can help achieve climate goals while also supporting social equity. But what does this look like in reality? Participants learnt how the City of Mississauga is using circular economy concepts to reduce waste. We joined city staff for a first-hand discussion of waste diversion tactics used to manage surplus assets, reduce waste during events, and learn about several other circular economy initiatives being implemented by the municipality.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

The University of Toronto Mississauga is taking bold action to create a net positive benefit for the environment and achieve their vision of becoming a world leader in sustainable practice. This walking tour, led by the Sustainability Office, featured some of the many sustainability initiatives taking place on campus. Delegates learnt about the award-winning Instructional Centre’s geothermal heating and cooling system, solar electric system, and rooftop beehives, as well as the Maanjiwe nendamowinan building’s green roofs and rainwater harvesting system.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

In order to reach community net-zero, resilience, and sustainability goals, local governments and local businesses must work together. But what does this look like? How can public and private stakeholders work together in their climate resilience planning? And how can we break traditional silos and harness the dynamism, innovation, and resources of the private sector to implement climate actions? Delegates joined us for an insightful session where local businesses, non-profits, and city representatives will discuss the crucial role of city-business collaboration in building net-zero, resilient, and sustainable communities.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Our response to climate change affects how we live, work, and participate in our communities. Ensuring that all voices are heard and equitably included in climate conversations is crucial as we plan and build for our shared future. This session made the case for investing in and pursuing climate action — policy changes, programs, and infrastructure development — in a way that prioritizes equity.

Together, speakers and participants explored examples of how climate change disproportionately impacts equity-denied groups and the necessity for local governments to centre equity in climate action. Three context-setting presentations were followed by a non-hierarchical dialogue where the audience and panel members discussed equity, diversity and inclusion in the context of local climate action.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Fishbowl Resources

Navigating the relationship between upper and lower tier governments as it relates to climate change can often result in a jurisdictional quagmire. In this session, speakers shared examples of ways regional governments can effectively work with their member municipalities to advance climate action towards a low-carbon, resilient future. Participants learnt from examples of successful joint mitigation and adaptation initiatives within Ontario and British Columbia. Participants also had the chance to engage in a discussion on best practices and strategies for effective collaboration, shared their own experiences and challenges, and explored solutions.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Presentation

• Regional Collaboration on Climate Action: Success stories and lessons learned from regional and local government partnerships (Introba)

Municipal climate leadership often starts with climate emergency declarations and mitigation plans. But what happens once the promises have been signed and the plans adopted? How do we get beyond quick wins and low-hanging fruit?

In this session, participants heard from municipal leaders in climate action to learn about innovative initiatives and how to bring bold solutions to the table. Part presentation, part facilitated discussion, this session explored noteworthy mitigation initiatives along with their implementation process and related challenges.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Presentations

• Town of Huntsville From Quick-Wins to Bold Solutions: Leadership and GHG Mitigation (Trevor Donald)
• HalifACT Acting on Climate Together (Shannon Miedema)

Cities and regions have a leading role to play when it comes to taking action to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. Sustainable urbanization is needed to achieve climate and biodiversity goals. Participants joined this session to hear from conservationists and municipal staff from around the country as they explored the direct linkages and opportunities to bring together conservation and climate action.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Presentation

• Nature Conservation and Climate Action: Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association (Kate Potter)
• Municipal Protected Areas Project: Leveraging Natural Solutions to Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss (Anne Bell)
• Meewasin Valley Authority (Meewasin)
• Shining the Light On (Craig Cassar)

Social connection refers to the sense of belonging and feeling of closeness that individuals experience as a result of their interactions and relationships with others. It can manifest in various ways, such as through shared experiences, common interests, mutual support, and open communication. Communities where residents are more connected, not only offer a better quality of life and day-to-day experience, but they are also more resilient to climate change impacts.

Delegates joined this session to hear from the City of Beaconsfield, QC, which is working with several local social service providers to increase social connection among high-risk populations (i.e., those experiencing loneliness or those with mobility challenges) while at the same time building resilience to extreme weather events and other climate hazards.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

• Andrew Duffield, Director, Sustainable Development, Ville de Beaconsfield
• Elizabeth Lemyre, Chef de Division, Bibliothèque et Culture | Division Head, Library and Culture, Ville de | City of Beaconsfield
• Ewa Jackson, Managing Director, ICLEI Canada
• Leopold Kowolik, PhD Candidate, York University

Presentations

• Building Social Connection for Climate Resilience (Leopold Kowolik)
• Connecting Beaconsfield: Building Climate Resilience through Social Connection (Élizabeth Lemyre & Andrew Duffield)

Monitoring, measuring, and achieving local GHG mitigation goals is often easier said than done, which is where the municipal Net-Zero Action Research Partnership (N-ZAP) collaboration project comes in. In this session, participants learnt how N-ZAP is working to help local government monitor and disclose progress towards GHG mitigation goals, and about efforts being made to integrate net-zero accounting and climate budgets into municipal level decision making. Experts on climate budgeting and disclosure and municipalities that have used the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) as part of their annual reporting discussed the benefits of applying these tools at the local level and how to avoid common pitfalls, and interactive exercises helped participants think about how these concepts can be applied in their communities.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Presentations

• Municipal Climate Budgeting and Disclosure Working Definitions (Megan Meaney)
• Climate Related Financial Disclosure: Institutionalizing Climate Reporting (MacLeod)
• Municipal Net-Zero Action Research Partnership (N-ZAP) (Amelia Clarke)
• Mississauga’s ESG Reporting Journey (Mississauga)

Many communities are in the process of implementing climate actions. But are they working? A rigorous approach is needed to evaluate progress, support decision-making, course correct when needed, and ultimately achieve the desired outcomes. This engaging session explored the importance of data and indicators when implementing climate actions. We learnt about different types of indicators, when to use them, and how to use data they provide to support implementation.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Presentations

• Is it working? Using data and indicators for measuring progress on climate action (Jamie Skimming)
• Nanaimo’s Climate Targets and the Nanaimo Doughnut Indicator Selection (Ting Pan)
• Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy (Environment and Climate Change Canada)

Municipalities are implementing key decarbonization strategies such as building retrofits, district energy, and EV charger networks. However, the pace and scale of such initiatives are insufficient to meet net-zero targets. How can municipalities close this implementation gap? What are the barriers and what are solutions to deploying initiatives at scale? In this session, participants joined industry leaders in an interactive discussion on a range of solutions and how these could be implemented in your community.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Presentations

• ESCO Solutions for Municipalities (Ashley Jones & Johnson Controls)
• Geosource Scaling-up Implementation Towards Net-Zero (Geosource)
• Micro-Mobility and Transportation Equity (Mattea Turco)

“Expect the unexpected” is sage advice for municipalities that are implementing climate solutions. From delays in funding to construction hurdles and political roadblocks, curve balls are all too common. So how can municipalities prepare for these and, better yet, take advantage of them?

In this session, we learnt how others have successfully pivoted and implemented climate change actions despite running into unexpected obstacles, and how taking advantage of curve balls can actually lead to greater success. Delegates were inspired by stories and encouraged to take notes to replicate these actions in their communities the next time they run into the unexpected.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Presentations

• Ready for Climate Curve Balls: Greater Sudbury’s Strong Neighbours Project (Babin Fenske)
• Climate Curve Balls: Working with Stakeholders (Niagra Falls Canada)
• Climate Curve Balls (Raph Shay)

Communities across Canada are experiencing increasing and worsening climate events. Despite the strong economic case for investing in climate adaptation, public funds remain limited. Given the accelerating changes in our climate and the multi-billion-dollar loss events Canadians have recently experienced, a whole-society approach (including private investors, professional engineering and solutions designers, and innovative bundling and project delivery mechanisms alongside all levels of government) is needed to achieve the scale and speed of construction required for communities to prosper.

This session brought together local government staff and financial experts from both the private and public sectors to discuss infrastructure project feasibility, “bankability” (i.e., return on investment), and other finance-related questions. Delegates joined this dialogue and exchanged ideas, experiences, and perspectives.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Presentations

• Climate adaptation infrastructure in Saskatoon (Saskatoon)
• Mobilizing Private Capital for Climate Adaptation Infastructure: ICLEI Financing Resilient Infrastructure Project (FRIP) (Co-Operators)
• Mind the Gap (Ewa Jackson)

Financing climate action is frequently cited as a barrier to implementation. Accessing reliable, dedicated, and long-term funding for both mitigation and adaptation is crucial for local governments to implement actions at the scale and pace required. This session explored traditional third party funding as well as other financing mechanisms and will highlight innovative approaches for municipalities to finance climate actions.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Presentations 

• Show Me the Money! (Kate Fleming)
• Show Me the (Community) Money! (Tapestry Community Capital)
• Show Me the (Private) Money! Accelerating Adaptation through Whole-of-Society Action (Tom Ewart)
• Community-owned Renewable-Energy (Ottawa Renewable Energy Coop)

As the key authority responsible for the implementation of building codes, municipalities have an integral role to play in improving building energy efficiency. They also have the opportunity to influence the adoption of high-energy performance codes. Many municipalities have already begun to do so through mechanisms such as Green Development Standards (GDS) and other planning tools available in their jurisdictions. However, many municipalities face barriers, limitations and constraints. In this session, panelists explored ways in which municipalities can overcome these obstacles.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Presentations:

• Building for Net Zero (William Grou)
• Building Decarbonization (Kevin Lockhart)
• Building to Net Zero (Gaby Kalapos)

Climate change will affect all of us, but some communities and populations are at greater risk of experiencing health impacts related to a changing climate. Factors such as housing, income, social support networks, and community capacity all affect the ability of individuals and groups to engage in climate solutions and adapt to climate change. Implementing low-carbon solutions through the lens of equity and inclusion has the potential to improve community health. This workshop explored what health equity means, and how municipalities can better integrate these considerations into the design and implementation of policies (e.g. thermally safe buildings) and climate action plans.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Presentations

• Climate Change Health and Health Equity Risks in Canada (Canadian Health Association For Sustainability & Equity)
• Advancing Adaptation: Exploring Ways to Achieve Equity With Climate Impacts Adaptation Planning (Shelley Rogers & Lynda Lukasik)

Main streets form the backbone of thousands of communities across Canada and function as key organizing units in cities and towns of all scales. Along these streets, an array of civic assets, economy, and people intersect, interact, have exchanges, and provide mutual aid. When viewed as an organizing unit for infrastructure, main streets offer the ideal conditions to implement local place-led climate solutions. Delegates joined the Canadian Urban Institute in an interactive workshop to explore how main streets provide a framework to implement place-led strategies for climate action.

Speakers and moderators for this session included:

Mary W Rowe, CEO, Canadian Urban Institute

Presentation

• Mitigation and Resilience on Canada’s Main Streets Implementing Local Place-led Climate Solutions (Canadian Urban Institute)