Climate change is undeniably one of the most pressing challenges of our time, and its impacts are felt keenly in coastal communities around the world. Canada, with its extensive coastline, is no exception. Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events pose significant threats to the well-being and sustainability of these communities. In response to this growing crisis, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has launched the Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities (CRCC) Program, a visionary initiative aimed at enhancing the resilience of coastal regions across the country. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of this program, its objectives, priorities, funding, and anticipated outcomes.
Understanding the CRCC Program
The CRCC Program is a multi-year effort spanning from 2023 to 2028, designed to empower coastal communities and sectors to collaborate regionally. By doing so, they can co-create strategic actions that bolster climate resilience in these vulnerable areas. This approach, focused on regional-scale coordination, offers several distinct advantages in addressing the complex challenges posed by climate change in coastal regions.
Benefits of a Regional-Scale Approach
1. Collaborative Planning: Coastal communities face multifaceted climate change risks, including sea level rise, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events. Regional-scale planning facilitates collaboration among diverse stakeholders to tackle these interconnected challenges effectively.
2. Efficient Resource Allocation: By aligning resources and coordinating short-term and long-term actions, the program ensures the most efficient use of available resources. This approach also minimizes the risk of maladaptation or shifting problems from one area to another.
3. Innovation: The CRCC Program encourages innovative solutions to climate change risks. By working together at the regional level, communities can explore novel approaches that may not be viable on a smaller scale.
4. Reduced Risk: By addressing climate change risks comprehensively, the program aims to reduce the economic impact and vulnerability of coastal regions. It considers long-term projections, such as sea level rise estimates for 2100, to make informed decisions.
5. Leveraging Resources: The program encourages leveraging other initiatives and funding programs, enhancing the overall impact of the projects.
Project Priorities
Applicants to the CRCC Program should keep in mind the following priorities when developing their proposals:
1. Practical and Innovative Actions: Proposals should focus on a mix of practical short-term and long-term integrated adaptation actions. These actions should be cost-effective, deliver co-benefits, and avoid maladaptation. They must target specific climate change impacts, such as sea level rise and coastal erosion.
2. Demonstrating Resilience: Projects should demonstrate significant climate resilience outcomes that benefit coastal communities and economies. This includes addressing both short and long-term climate change scenarios and risks.
3. Innovative Actions: Where possible, projects should seek innovative actions and assess the value of coordinated actions compared to individual efforts, contributing valuable evidence for business case development.
4. Collaboration: Collaboration is at the heart of the CRCC Program. Projects are expected to bring together governments, Indigenous rights-holders, communities, businesses, academia, and other stakeholders to address key climate change risks collaboratively.
5. Inclusivity: The program prioritizes the inclusion of individuals and groups that have traditionally been excluded from decision-making processes. It seeks to involve those most affected by climate change risks.
Funding Information
The CRCC Program is committed to providing substantial funding to support pilot projects aimed at enhancing regional climate resilience:
- Total Funding: Up to $30 million in contribution funding is available for pilot projects.
- Open Call: Up to $25 million in contribution funding is allocated through an open call for proposals competitive process.
- Minimum Funding: Given the complexity of the projects, proposals requesting less than $300,000 of NRCan funding will not be considered through this call for proposals.
Project Duration
Projects under the CRCC Program should have a start date no earlier than April 1, 2024, and must be completed no later than December 31, 2027. The duration of the projects should align with the scope of the work required.
Anticipated Outcomes
The ultimate goal of the CRCC Program is to create resilient coastal communities and economies that can withstand the impacts of climate change. Successful projects are expected to result in several key outcomes:
- Adaptation Actions: Projects will identify targeted climate change risks and challenges, leading to an inclusive adaptation plan involving coordinated activities across various time scales.
- Policy Integration: Climate change considerations will be integrated into existing or new policies, programs, and measures, ensuring a holistic and sustainable approach to adaptation.
- Nature-Based Approaches: Innovative solutions, such as nature-based approaches to prevent shoreline erosion and reduce coastal flooding, will be explored and implemented.
- Inclusive Governance: Sustainable and inclusive governance mechanisms will be established, allowing all stakeholders, including Indigenous communities, to participate meaningfully.
- Financial Strategies: Financing approaches to support climate resilience will be determined, ensuring the long-term viability of adaptation efforts.
Eligible Recipients
NRCan funding is open to a wide range of recipients, including:
- Academic institutions
- Non-governmental organizations
- Industry, research, and professional associations
- Companies and businesses
- Indigenous communities or governments
- Community, regional, and national Indigenous organizations
- Provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal governments and their departments and agencies
Applicants must demonstrate the necessary expertise and financial capacity to deliver their proposed projects. Special support is available for eligible Indigenous applicants who require additional time and support to develop their project proposals.
The Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities Program represents a crucial step toward safeguarding Canada's coastal regions against the impacts of climate change. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, this program paves the way for a more resilient and sustainable future for coastal communities and economies. For more detailed information on the program and application processes, please visit Natural Resources Canada. Together, we can build a climate-resilient Canada for generations to come.
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