The City of St. Catharines is developing a heat risk and vulnerability map to support an effective and equitable response to extreme heat. Before creating a local, data-driven map, the City identified the need for a strong evidence-based foundation, a thorough understanding of relevant data sources, and early engagement with map developers and users. With support from ORCCA, the City conducted extensive research and early engagement to establish foundational knowledge and relationships to support the mapping process. In addition to a comprehensive research report, this initial project phase culminated with the identification of 13 guiding principles and a data “shopping list”.

This initiative assessed the financial risks facing Toronto due to climate change and provided context to the costs of adaptation. A Cost of Doing Nothing (CODN) report was written to analyze climate-related risks for the City of Toronto based on available national, provincial, and local data. The report compared long-term costs of maintaining the status quo versus implementing additional proactive adaptation measures. The analysis was grounded in five key climate impact areas linked to economic costs and policy recommendations. The final report provides a data-driven framework to support informed investment decisions that enhance resilience.

Dufferin County’s Emergency Preparedness and Climate & Energy divisions are collaborating on a multi-year pilot project to enhance community resilience by installing an outdoor “resilience hub” structure. The hub is envisioned as a community space that will support everyday needs while enhancing community resilience during times of disruption and recovery. The first project phase, undertaken with ORCCA, focused on mapping key milestones and gathering input from residents and community leaders to better understand their needs and priorities.

This year-long project brought together 15 organizations and 26 members to establish a regional collaboration on climate action. Participants—including First Nations, municipalities, conservation authorities, public health units, and health practitioners—worked to build trust, strengthen relationships, and co-develop a shared framework for collaboration. Striving to use Two-Eyed Seeing in an ethical space, the group co-created a scope of purpose document outlining their mission, values, and structure. With established co-chairs, a meeting schedule, and knowledge-sharing activities, this community of practice provides a foundation for ongoing dialogue and coordinated efforts to address greenhouse gas reductions and climate change impacts across the region.  

Building on the Durham Greener Homes program, the Region of Durham plans to integrate climate resilience retrofits and services to help residents better prepare for climate change. ORCCA helped the Region develop a comprehensive retrofit information database to expand the program and include adaptation retrofits. This database includes local climate hazards and risks, adaptation retrofits and their benefits, successful approaches from similar programs, and equity and accessibility considerations. It is being used to help guide program planning, connect with industry and community partners, and ensure effective implementation. While developing the database, a business case to fund adaptation measures was built by highlighting the financial costs of doing nothing and positioning the Region to pursue future funding opportunities.

Recognizing the need for comprehensive adaptation planning, the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) worked with ORCCA to adapt municipal adaptation planning methods to the school board context. The project involved three phases: 1) initiation, 2) research, and 3) vulnerability and risk assessment. During the initiation phase, a 21-member working group was formed to provide diverse expertise and perspectives to inform the adaptation planning process. During the research phase, historic regional climate trends and impacts were identified and projected climate data was compiled into a climate science report. In the final vulnerability and risk assessment phase, workshops, a survey, and an evaluation informed the development of a comprehensive vulnerability and risk assessment report, which includes a prioritized list of impacts and recommended school board actions to build resilience.

A Health & Health Equity in Adaptation Toolkit was developed to help regional partners, such as municipalities and Conservation Authorities, integrate health and equity considerations into climate adaptation efforts. This two-part resource includes a primer and guidance materials. The primer explains the link between climate change and health, featuring examples, local case studies, and actionable strategies, while the guidance materials provide practical tools—including a checklist and guiding questions—to apply a health and equity lens to policies, programs, and projects. By equipping partners with knowledge and practical tools, the Toolkit aims to help build more inclusive, health-supporting climate adaptation efforts across the area.

This project was designed to support the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) by tailoring, enhancing, and effectively communicating water quality monitoring efforts to further climate adaptation work in the Upper Thames River Watershed. Insights from a comprehensive literature review on methods and approaches for adaptation-focused water quality monitoring efforts were synthesized and applied to current UTRCA initiatives. A final report that assesses existing monitoring and planning programs and recommends next steps to safeguard water quality amid climate change was developed. A supporting document, outlining resources and potential funding opportunities, was also created to help move recommendations into action.

The Ontario Resource Centre for Climate Adaptation (ORCCA) is a pilot initiative led by ICLEI Canada and supported by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, alongside financial support from the Government of Canada through the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change Canada. ORCCA helps Great Lakes communities and other Ontario users adapt to climate change and build local resilience by providing support to individuals, leaders, municipalities, and communities in their climate action endeavours.