City of Cambridge Climate Change Adaptation Plan

The City of Cambridge will develop a Corporate Adaptation Plan to identify actions to reduce vulnerability associated with climate change impacts to its built and natural infrastructure, assets, and service areas. The City has undertaken significant efforts to reduce corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, demonstrating municipal climate leadership through completion of the milestones of the Partners for Climate Protection program. The City is preparing a Corporate Adaptation Plan that will identify potential risks to the City from predicted impacts of climate change. The Plan will also contribute to the Region of Waterloo’s community-wide planning efforts to prepare the Region to adapt to climate change. The Corporate Adaptation Plan will benefit the City and its residents by identifying key climate impacts, related risks, and vulnerabilities. The plan will also provide guidance and strategies for the City to take action on adapting its buildings, natural assets, and infrastructure to prepare for future climatic changes including increased temperature, variable precipitation and an increase in the severity and frequency of storms. Development of the Plan will require assessment of climate-related impacts, vulnerabilities, and risks to the City. It will also identify and develop specific adaptation measures and a framework for the implementation and monitoring, in the detailed implementation plan. The Corporate Adaptation Plan is a necessary next step to complement actions already taken by the City to measure and manage GHG emissions. The Plan will also link to existing and future corporate initiatives being undertaken by the City, including those pertaining to sustainability planning and asset management. By taking a holistic approach to planning, the City of Cambridge is proactively addressing future climatic challenges and uncertainty to ensure the long-term financial, social, and environmental sustainability of the community.