Adaptation and resilience in the face of climate change

This publication examines Canada’s climate policy trajectory over the past several decades, contrasting the emphasis on greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation with the relatively limited attention paid to climate adaptation. Since the late 1980s, global climate policy discussions—shaped by the UNFCCC and IPCC—have largely prioritized mitigation strategies aimed at reducing GHG concentrations. Drawing on early theoretical work suggesting that resilience-based approaches may be more effective under deep uncertainty, the report argues that Canada’s strong alignment with the global mitigation agenda has diverted resources from enhancing the country’s capacity to adapt to climate impacts.

The analysis highlights Canada’s limited influence on global emissions, contributing approximately 1.45% of the total, and notes that much of its low-carbon energy transition occurred prior to the 1990s. Despite this, significant public spending has been directed toward mitigation technologies and regulations with minimal impact on global temperature trends. The author contends that a stronger focus on locally driven adaptation—through infrastructure, risk management, and preparedness—would yield greater benefits for protecting communities from climate-related hazards.