Climate Adaptation: Framework and Implementation
In 2017, the Canadian Parks Council developed the “Climate Change Adaptation Framework for Parks and Protected Areas” as a guide for caretakers of historic sites to identify adaptation options and to pinpoint the greatest climate change risks and vulnerabilities.
In 2021, the Heritage BC conference featured a day-long series of climate adaptation workshops, including an in-depth discussion about the Framework with Anna Lee-Carswell, Climate Change Advisor, Parks Canada, Richard Linzey, Director, Heritage Branch, Province of BC, and moderator Mark Thompson Brandt, MTBA Associates Inc.
Based on a collaborative process and building upon international practices and guidelines, the five-step adaptation framework is a scalable and adaptable process that can be applied to various resources, such as natural heritage, cultural heritage, built assets, and visitor experience. or a combination.
Starting with the Climate Adaptation Framework, Heritage BC has developed an easy-to-follow workbook to guide you through the process and to support the implementation of your plan. We have supplemented each stop in the Framework with a series of questions, and we have developed a downloadable worksheet so that you can capture your information in one place.
A few notes before you start your planning process:
This resource is primarily about addressing progressive climate change and preparing for future natural disasters related to climate change. The resource does not address emergency response to a catastrophic event that is forecast to occur or has just occurred.
This resource does not consider ways in which heritage values and character-defining elements can be protected and preserved when planning climate adaptations. It is advisable to have an up-to-date Statement of Significance before you begin to plan climate adaptations. If that is not available, take time to consider the character-defining elements of your historic site. Ideally, technologies, practices, and durable and healthy materials should be incorporated in ways not adversely affecting the building’s character or heritage value.
You may find useful information at “Building Resilience“. Building Resilience: Practical Guidelines for the Retrofit and Rehabilitation of Buildings in Canada serves as a “sustainable building toolkit” that will enhance understanding of the environmental benefits of heritage conservation and of the strong interrelationship between natural and built heritage conservation. Intended as a useful set of best practices, the guidelines in Building Resilience can be applied to existing and traditionally constructed buildings as well as formally recognized heritage places.
Finally, if you want support in developing a plan or preparing an SoS, please refer to the list of BC heritage consultants.
Jump to:
Introduction: Climate Adaptation – Framework and Implementation
Step 1: Building a Strong Foundation
Step 2: Assess Vulnerability and Risk
Step 3: Identify and Select Adaptation Options
Steps 4 and 5: Implement Adaptation Actions, Monitor and Evaluate
Climate Adaptation Worksheet – download
Climate Adaptation Worksheet – download
Additional Resources
Climate Adaptation: Making a Case (link)
Parks Canada’s adaptation framework and workshop approach: Lessons learned across a diverse series of adaptation workshops (link)
Parks Canada’s adaptation framework and workshop approach: Lessons learned across a diverse series of adaptation workshops (link)
Climate Change and Nature-based Solutions (link)
Climate Change Adaptation Plans and Actions (link)
Building Resilience: Practical Guideline for the Sustainable Rehabilitation of Buildings in Canada (link)
Canadian Conservation Institute (link)
Canadian Association of Professional Conservators (link)
BCMA Emergency Preparedness (link)
BC Heritage Emergency Response Network (link)