Toward a National Adaptation Strategy for Canada: Key insights from global peers

The report outlines a framework for Canada's first National Adaptation Strategy (NAS), drawing on a review of 12 policy instruments from 11 countries. It identifies a global trend where adaptation planning is increasing and regularly updated, but implementation and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) remain weak. For Canada, the authors recommend establishing clear institutional arrangements, a unified climate risk assessment approach, and a robust M&E system. The report emphasizes the need for deep engagement with Indigenous Peoples to advance reconciliation and the integration of gender equality and social inclusion through Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+). It also suggests bridging the gap between climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction (DRR) and elevating nature-based solutions.

• A review of 11 countries shows that national adaptation legislation is increasing, with half of the reviewed countries having a climate act or law that mandates adaptation action.
• Global trends indicate that while national adaptation planning is widely adopted and frequently updated, there is a significant gap in implementation and monitoring and evaluation (M&E).
• Most reviewed countries use either science-driven or science-informed approaches to prioritize climate risks, typically ranking them by magnitude, urgency, or the need to act.
• Social inclusion and gender equality are mentioned in most national adaptation policies, but rarely emphasized throughout the entire strategy, with New Zealand being a notable exception.
• Canada's current adaptation efforts are fragmented across different departments and lack a permanent coordinating body, unlike the structured approach found in its disaster risk reduction (DRR) governance.
• The report recommends that Canada's NAS should be co-developed with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis leadership to move beyond indirect consultation and align with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
• To avoid the 'implementation gap' seen globally, Canada should launch its NAS with an initial implementation plan and immediate financial commitments or deliverables.
• The report suggests using Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) throughout the NAS process to address intersectional vulnerabilities and ensure equitable benefits across different social groups.
• There is a persistent silo between climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Canada; the NAS is seen as an opportunity to integrate these through shared policy, financing, and MEL systems.
• Canada can lead internationally by formally addressing the employment and labour aspects of adaptation, such as protecting workers in climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture and fisheries.

APA

Hammill, A., Parry, J.-E., Ledwell, C., & Dazé, A. (2021). Toward a National Adaptation Strategy for Canada: Key insights from global peers. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-06/national-adaptation-strategy-canada.pdf

Chicago

Hammill, Anne, Jo-Ellen Parry, Christian Ledwell, and Angie Dazé. Toward a National Adaptation Strategy for Canada: Key insights from global peers. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2021. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-06/national-adaptation-strategy-canada.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Hammill |first1=Anne |last2=Parry |first2=Jo-Ellen |last3=Ledwell |first3=Christian |last4=Dazé |first4=Angie |title=Toward a National Adaptation Strategy for Canada: Key insights from global peers |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=June 2021 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-06/national-adaptation-strategy-canada.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{hammill2021toward, author = {Hammill, Anne and Parry, Jo-Ellen and Ledwell, Christian and Dazé, Angie}, title = {{Toward a National Adaptation Strategy for Canada: Key insights from global peers}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2021}, month = jun, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-06/national-adaptation-strategy-canada.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }