Climate Change Adaptation

Climate change adaptation refers to actions taken to manage the current and anticipated impacts of climate change. These actions can be reactive, responding to existing challenges, or anticipatory, preparing for future risks. Anticipatory adaptation is often more cost-effective in the long term and supports a proactive, forward-looking approach.

Adaptation planning enables municipalities to not only reduce vulnerabilities but also identify and leverage potential benefits that may arise from a changing climate. Examples of climate change adaptation can be:

• Flood prevention and stormwater management to address the increasing frequency and severity of storms
• Extreme heat and public health improvements to reduce risks from rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves 
• Infrastructure upgrades and better urban planning to improve resilience to extreme weather and climate impacts 
• Ecosystem and biodiversity protection to safeguard natural systems from climate related disruptions 
• Monitoring and data collection to inform planning and improve to climate events

Climate Change Adaptation Plan (2020)

The Climate Change Adaptation Plan (2020) and Climate Change Impacts in Windsor - A Technical Document were approved by City Council on Monday, June 15, 2020. This plan represents an update to the City of Windsor's 2012 Climate Change Adaptation Plan. Updating the adaptation plan allowed the City to identify and build on work already completed; check in on existing stressors, risks, and implementation progress; and advance the community further toward climate resilience of its social, economic, built and natural systems. 

There are 7 objectives outlined in the 2020 Climate Change Adaptation Plan:

1. Integrate climate change thinking and response
2. Protect public health and safety
3. Reduce risk to buildings and property 
4. Strengthen infrastructure resilience
5. Protect biodiversity and enhance ecosystem functions
6. Reduce community service disruptions
7. Build community resilience

Climate Change Adaptation Plan (2012)

The City of Windsor released its Climate Change Adaptation Plan (2012) with the following technical Appendices laid the foundation for Windsor's strategy to combat climate change, setting the stage for future updates and action.

For more information on environmental initiatives: