The Canada’s Changing Climate Report 2026, published in September 2026 by Environment and Climate Change Canada, presents a clear finding: the climate that our communities and organizations need to prepare for is no longer the same as the one we experienced over the past several decades.
Over the past 75 years, Canada’s average temperature has increased by 2.0°C. In Northern Canada, this increase has reached 2.6°C. And in the short term, the country’s average annual temperature is expected to rise by approximately 1°C between 2021 and 2040. The report also documents changes that have already been observed or are expected to intensify, including extreme heat, heavy precipitation, droughts, wildfires, changes in the water cycle, declining snow and ice cover, and sea-level rise depending on the region.
This scientific knowledge is essential. But for municipalities, universities, businesses, and other organizations, it is only the starting point.
The question quickly becomes: what do these changes mean in practical terms for our operations, infrastructure, and decisions?
From Climate Data to Organizational Risk
A rise in temperature or an increase in extreme precipitation does not, on its own, constitute a risk to an organization.
Risk also depends on what is exposed to the hazard and on its vulnerability. The same heavy rainfall event can therefore have very different consequences depending on the capacity of the drainage system, the level of land impermeability, the location of critical infrastructure, or the protective measures already in place.
Similarly, a heat wave can affect people’s health, buildings, certain types of equipment, and business continuity.
A climate risk assessment is precisely what connects “how is the climate changing?” with “what does this mean for our organization or territory?”
We explored this step in greater detail in the article entitled Climate Plan: Conducting an Effective Risk Assessment.
The objective is not to study every possible impact with the same level of detail, but rather to identify the most significant vulnerabilities and risks so that efforts can be focused where they can have the greatest impact.
Identify Priorities Before Selecting Solutions
An adaptation process generally begins with a climate profile, followed by an assessment of exposure and vulnerabilities. Risks can then be evaluated according to their likelihood and consequences.
This prioritization provides a structured basis for identifying adaptation measures.
In response to heavy rainfall, for example, potential measures can vary considerably: improving drainage, developing green infrastructure, modifying land-use planning, protecting certain assets, strengthening emergency procedures, or revising the criteria used when designing future projects.
Adaptation is therefore less about selecting from a catalogue of solutions and more about applying a risk management approach to a changing climate.
McGill: Integrating Climate Risks into Organizational Management
The work carried out at McGill University illustrates how this approach can be applied within a complex organization.
In 2023, CCG conducted the University’s climate risk assessment in collaboration with several McGill departments, under the leadership of the Office of Sustainability and Internal Audit. The assessment examined human, operational, financial, compliance, reputational, and environmental and sustainability dimensions, among others.
The process identified the priority risks affecting the campuses. McGill identified five critical risks associated with prolonged heat waves and extreme precipitation and aims to address 100% of its critical climate risks by 2030.
Another key strength of this approach is its integration into the University’s existing risk management framework. The climate assessment therefore does not become a separate exercise; instead, it enhances the management and decision-making processes already used by the organization. McGill’s published summary also indicates that 57 potential adaptation measures were identified to address the ten main risks assessed.
Learn more about McGill University’s climate resilience approach
From Adaptation Plans to Day-to-Day Decisions
Municipalities face a similar challenge: once risks have been identified and an adaptation plan has been adopted, how can they ensure that this knowledge genuinely influences projects?
CCG supported the City of Québec from 2022 to 2023 in the design and implementation of its Climate Test, a tool that integrates GHG emissions reduction and climate resilience considerations into the design and assessment of municipal projects.
The Climate Test illustrates the transition from a broad climate strategy to a tool used directly in decision-making processes. It can, for example, encourage teams to consider stormwater management, extreme heat, soil sealing, mobility, or the energy performance of a project before key decisions are finalized.
Read about our experience: Integrating Climate Considerations into Municipal Decision-Making
For several years, CCG has supported municipalities and RCMs in developing adaptation approaches and plans. This experience has been built through projects in Candiac, Victoriaville, and Beaconsfield. More recently, CCG supported the RCM of Mékinac and the RCM Les Moulins in developing their climate plans, both of which were approved under the Accelerating Local Climate Transition (ATCL) program.
Making Adaptation Part of the Decision-Making Process
The new Canada’s Changing Climate Report provides an updated scientific foundation for understanding the climate conditions organizations will face. But its value becomes tangible when this knowledge is translated into planning and decision-making.
An adaptation plan should therefore not be a document consulted only when a climate event occurs. Over time, it can influence asset management, investments, project design, business continuity, strategic planning, and budgetary decisions.
In other words, the process does not end with identifying risks. The goal is to make adaptation a normal component of organizational management.
And a lack of financial resources does not necessarily have to prevent organizations from getting started. Several programs can currently support risk assessments, planning, and the implementation of adaptation measures.
To learn about the main opportunities currently available, read our article on funding for adaptation initiatives and programs offered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
The climate of the coming decades will be different from the one in which much of our infrastructure, organizations, and ways of working were designed. How is this new reality already influencing your organization’s decisions?