Climate Adaptation Plan

WHAT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WAS COMPLETED?

Two public surveys were conducted during the preparation of the Climate Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan. The first public engagement survey was available from June 5 to June 26, 2023; residents were encouraged to provide input on climate adaptation and resilience in Lethbridge. The survey built upon the results of the Sustain-o-topia – Thriving in Our Changing Climate Survey and focused on the strategic direction of the Climate Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan. The second engagement opportunity took place from October 23 to November 29, 2023, where residents were able to provide input on community action prioritization.

WHY DOES THIS PROJECT MATTER?
We want to build a healthy future for our City by creating and implementing an action-based practical plan that paves the way to a thriving, climate resilient community where everyone is safe and cared for. As we've seen recently in the northern Alberta wildfires, changing and extreme weather events can cost communities millions in assets, services, and damages. We developed this strategy to identify ways we can better weatherproof our assets and services when an extreme weather event comes our way. Community input was a key component to ensuring the Plan aligns with residents’ needs, values, and desires.

The Climate Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan provides strategic direction including principles to guide decision-making on climate action within our organization and community. The Plan outlines priority adaptation actions that the City and community can take to build community resiliency to extreme weather and changing climate conditions and to increase public health, security, and emergency preparedness.

The Climate Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan was adopted by City Council on July 9, 2024. The final report is uploaded in the "Document Library" for reference. Thank you for your input!