Climate Change Adaptation Planning
At KWL, we build resilience to climate change into everything we do – from planning through to infrastructure design, construction and management. Our goal is to develop solutions that work and help communities adapt and thrive under changing conditions today and into the future.
Climate change is one of the most pressing societal issues of our time. For communities to continue to thrive, KWL believes we must respond with urgency and innovation, both to reduce emissions and adapt infrastructure to the extremes of a changing climate. Resilient communities need strong policies and sound engineering practices, but also approaches that work with and protect natural ecosystems and honour traditional knowledge and practices.
KWL has a multidisciplinary team of engineers, planners, biologists, and engagement specialists who work closely together to develop adaptation strategies that are integrated and practical. We regularly work with Indigenous communities and municipalities on projects that include:
- climate vulnerability/risk assessment,
- adaptation planning and policy,
- nature-based solutions planning and design, and
- community engagement.
We complement our expertise in climate change adaptation with multidisciplinary expertise ranging from asset management, coastal and river flood hazard management, green infrastructure design, ecological restoration and enhancement, integrated water supply and stormwater management, and renewable energy planning and design.
Some of our recent and ongoing adaptation planning projects include:
- North Shore Sea Level Rise Adaptive Management Strategy;
- Squamish Nation SLR Adaptation Strategy Community Engagement;
- Tsleil-Waututh Nation Community Climate Change Resilience Plan;
- Tsleil-Waututh Nation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory;
- Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Climate Risk and Levels of Service Guide; and
- Indigenous Services Canada Climate Adaptation and Sustainable Infrastructure Workshops.