Climate Change Adaptation Plan

The impacts of climate change are being felt across Canada.

Municipalities need to proactively manage the challenges of a changing climate to ensure the continuation of critical infrastructure and services.

Climate Change Adaptation Plan

In early 2019, Norfolk County was awarded a Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) grant to develop a climate change adaptation plan. The Norfolk County Climate Change Adaptation Plan was developed, exercising a three-phase approach.

In December 2020, Norfolk County Council unanimously approved the Norfolk County Climate Change Adaptation Plan (PDF) to address the local climate risks and vulnerabilities.

Timelines and phases

Graphic timeline of phases

Phase One: Scope and Planning

Climate change risks to Norfolk County were identified and prioritized through public and stakeholder engagement.

During this phase, residents, businesses, stakeholders, and County staff were invited to share their experiences related to climate change to assist with the identification of the risks and potential solutions.

The risks were then prioritized by the Norfolk County Climate Change Adaptation Committee utilizing a high-level feasibility analysis completed by WSP Canada Group with input from Norfolk County staff.

Phase Two: Vulnerability Assessment and Actions

Potential adaptation actions and strategies were identified and prioritized by the Committee, utilizing both local expertise and best practices across Canada.

Phase Three: Plan Development

In the final phase, developing the plan, the formal adaptation plan was prepared, reviewed by the Committee and County service area representatives and then released to the general public for comment and feedback.

Following the Summer 2020 general public review period, the Plan was further refined and was approved by the Climate Change Adaptation Committee on September 11, 2020.

Learn more about climate change

Temperature increases, changes in precipitation patterns, and a rise in the frequency and severity of storm events are already impacting the most vulnerable people and places.

What is climate change?

Climate change is a long-term shift in weather conditions identified by changes in temperature, precipitation, winds, and other indicators. Climate change can involve average conditions and variability changes, including extreme events.

What is an adaptation plan?

A climate change adaptation plan is a long-term strategy that helps communities deal with the impacts, risks, and opportunities that come with a changing climate.

An effective adaptation plan will help reduce those costs and impacts for Norfolk County and help create a more sustainable and resilient community.

What is the difference between mitigation and adaptation?

Climate change mitigation refers to actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions to address the root cause of climate change. While mitigation efforts aim to reduce the long-term effects of global warming, adaptation measures are needed to minimize the impacts of a changing climate.

Climate change adaptation refers to any action that seeks to reduce the harmful effects of the changing climate while taking advantage of benefits.

Adaptation is a proactive way to protect Norfolk County from expected impacts and avoid the high costs of remediating damages.

Explore Climate Atlas of Canada, where climate science, mapping, and storytelling join Indigenous Knowledge and community-based research to inspire awareness and action.

You can request an alternative format of any Norfolk County document or communication support by submitting an Accessible Formats and Communication Supports Request form or calling 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 8099.