BC Regional Adaptation Collaborative

BC's climate is changing.  Communities are likely to experience more frequent intense weather events (storms, heavy precipitation, flood and drought), more days of extreme heat, and changes to natural ecological systems. Finding ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is a critical challenge facing public and private sector leaders. As well, they need to assess climate change impacts and adapt plans to take account of a changing climate. Adaptation is critical to better protect communities, economic activity and environmental health — now and for the future.

The BC Regional Adaptation Collaborative (BC RAC), hosted by the Fraser Basin Council, is one of several provincial collaborations under a national program of Natural Resources Canada. ​The program is intended to strengthen regional capacity, climate adaptation planning and implementation within First Nations, local governments, public sector organizations and professional and industry associations in British Columbia.

There have been three phases of BC RAC since 2008. Phase 1 (2009-2012) focused on developing tools and resources to help leaders plan for climate change adaptation, with emphasis on securing water resources and minimizing water-related risks. Phase 2 (2012-2015) helped support BC’s natural resource sectors to identify risks, common issues of concern, adaptation options and opportunities to collaborate. Since 2016, in Phase 3, the program has focused on communities, including those in the northern and central regions of BC, via workshops and support to access tools, resources, and funding opportunities.

Major BC RAC funders are Natural Resources Canada and the BC Climate Action Secretariat (Ministry of Environment and Climate Change).

Current Initiatives

Here are some climate change adaptation initiatives supported by the Fraser Basin Council through BC RAC.

ReTooling for Climate Change

ReTooling for Climate Change is a first-stop website focused on strengthening social, economic and environmental resilience under climate change. The site is a source of tools and resources for everyone from Indigenous governments, local governments, public agencies, academic institutions, industries and businesses.

A quarterly ReTooling newsletter brings updates on adaptation news, events and new studies, developments and tools. Subscribe, plus follow ReTooling for Climate Change on social media.

Climate Risk Network

The Climate Risk Network, with facilitation support from FBC, brings together people who have responsibilities that focus on climate change adaptation. The network strengthens relationships among people in government, public agencies, the academic community, non-profits and other organizations. Since 2015, network members have met regularly to:

• share information on climate risk and adaptation activities in BC
• identify gaps in existing programs and policies with respect to climate risk
• facilitates the strategic development of new activities, policies or programs to fill gaps

BC Chapter of Regional Assessment: Indigenous Perspectives Engagement + Youth Climate Art

The Fraser Basin Council contracted Denni Clement to lead Indigenous engagement on climate change adaptation and to bring Indigenous perspectives to Canada’s national assessment on climate change: see the 2022 BC Chapter of the Regional Assessment. Another part of the initiative was an Indigenous Youth Climate Art Contest. Five youth artists were chosen to share artistic expressions on climate change. Their artwork was displayed at FBC's Adaptation Canada 2020 Conference and showcased in the BC Chapter online report (2022).

Climate Adaptation Webinars and Workshops

The Fraser Basin Council organizes collaborative webinars and workshops on a variety of climate change adaptation topics.

In May 2022 the highlight was a live webinar led by Natural Resources Canada for release of the BC Chapter of the Regional Perspectives Report. Speakers shows how climate change is impacting BC and how communities and sectors are taking action. The Regional Perspectives Report is part of NRCan's National Assessment Process Canada in a Changing Climate: Advancing our Knowledge for Action.

Check out this webinar above and other adaptation video onthe YouTube playlist!