Population growth, urban expansion, advances in agriculture and natural resource extraction all contribute to an increasing demand for water in BC. If current trends continue, water demand will grow by more than 30% in the next 25 years.

Some surface water sources have already experienced shortages, or have licensing restrictions in place. At the same time, climate change is altering hydrology patterns in BC, with projections for a reduced snowpack, earlier spring melt, dry periods and low summer flows in some areas.

BC RAC has supported work of local governments, agricultural producers and other water users in the province to help addresses some of the challenges around modernizing water allocation system and making it more robust in the face of climate change and other pressures.

RESOURCES

BC RAC project highlights

• Adapting to Climate Change in the San Jose Watershed
• Lower Skeena Adaptation Toolkit

ReTooling Resources

You can also explore a great selection of water allocation and use resources on the ReTooling website.

A rising sea level and storm surges mean greater risk of flood and erosion for BC’s coastal areas. With sea level rise comes the risk of damage to coastal infrastructure, property loss from flood and erosion, habitat destruction, decreased biodiversity, saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers and loss of cultural and historical sites.

Coastal flood management is a priority for the BC Regional Adaptation Collaborative. BC RAC has supported the Province of BC and project partners on floodplain mapping, flood mitigation and flood planning to account for the impacts of climate change. Thanks to this investment, there are now proposed guidelines for coastal floodplain mapping, sea dike design and coastal flood construction levels.

RESOURCES

BC RAC project highlights

• Sea Level Rise Adaptation Primer
• Climate Change Adaptation Guidelines for Sea Dikes and Coastal Flood Hazard Land Use
• Coastal Floodplain Mapping Guidelines and Coastal Flood Hazard Areas
• Cost of Adaptation – Sea Dikes and Alternative Strategies

ReTooling Resources

You can also explore a great selection of coastal management and sea level rise resources on the ReTooling website.

Climate change poses challenges for BC’s natural resource sectors, including the mining sector. Extreme weather events such as heavy precipitation, flood, fire or drought can trigger changes in soil or slope stability. This can pose risks at both open and closed mines: for the integrity of buildings, water retention structures and tailing ponds, site access, worker safety and transportation networks. Changes in hydrology may also diminish water supply in summer months.

There is growing recognition in the mining industry of the need to access the best climate change trends available by region, evaluate the risks, and weigh adaptation options. BC RAC aims to support mining sector leaders and decision-makers in planning for climate change adaptation. The program is supporting new research and dialogue within the industry, and collaboration across sectors on common issues.

RESOURCES

 BC RAC project highlights

• Climate Change Planning at Glencore in Sudbury, Ontario
• Enhancing Weather Resiliency at Nyrstar, Myra Falls
• Addressing Weather-Related Challenges at the Galore Creek Project, Northwestern British Columbia

ReTooling Resources

You can also explore a great selection of mining sector resources on the ReTooling website.

The energy sector is a growing economy in British Columbia, including the expansion of natural gas and oil development. New liquefied natural gas plants are planned to be in operation along the coast of BC and an increase in the level of natural gas production is forecast for Northeastern BC. Dramatic changes in historical climate patterns will challenge the productivity of oil and gas operations through risks such as a decreasing water supply, flooding, landslides, forest fires and variable weather conditions.

BC RAC has worked in collaboration with the energy sector to increase awareness and understanding of the impacts of a changing climate, identify potential risks and opportunities, assess the sector’s ability to respond and adapt to climate impacts, and determine gaps in the information and resources available to support the energy industry.

RESOURCES

BC RAC project highlights

• Northeastern BC Climate Risk Assessment for the Oil & Gas Sector
• Backgrounder: Future Climate in Northeastern British Columbia

ReTooling Resources

You can also explore a great selection of energy sector resources on the ReTooling website.

Climate change is exposing BC communities to more extreme weather events and to risks that include water shortages, flood, erosion and damage or loss of infrastructure. Today, all community leaders need access to information on regional climate change risks, vulnerabilities and options for adaptation.

Local governments have a key role to play in adaptation planning since they are responsible for a range of services. These include water supply, land use planning and floodplain development, and operation and maintenance of local flood protection infrastructure (in partnership with diking authorities). Some also undertake watershed management and water supply planning. First Nations are also decision-makers with significant influence over land and resource use decisions in their traditional territories, and those with modern treaties have wide-ranging powers. BC RAC is helping BC community leaders learn more about climate change risks, impacts and adaptation options — particularly those relating to water.

RESOURCES

BC RAC project highlights

• Preparing for Climate Change: An Implementation Guide for Local Governments in British Columbia
• City of Prince George: case study | report | video series
• District of Saanich: case study | plan
• Xat’sūll First Nation: case study
• Columbia Basin "Communities Adapting to Climate Change Initiative":
  • Castlegar: case study
  • RDCK/Kaslo: case study
  • Rossland: case study

ReTooling Resources

You can also explore a great selection of community adaptation planning resources on the ReTooling website.