Low Carbon Resilience: Finding Synergies Between Mitigation and

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1 ACT Adaptation to Climate Change Team Low Carbon Resilience: Finding Synergies Between Mitigation and Adaptation September 19, 2017 Edward Nichol, Senior Researcher, ACT Livable Cities Forum Mitigation and Adaptation: From Antagonists to Allies for the Development of Resilient Urban Environments Victoria, BC

2 Outline Introduction Background LCR in Today s Political Climate Incorporating Resilience Into a Low Carbon Future Low Carbon Resilience and Ecosystem Services The Business Case for Low Carbon Resilience Final Thoughts

3 Introduction Earth s commitment to climate change Separate issues, fragmented solutions Loss of stationarity Biodiversity and natural systems threats Complimentary approach

4 What is Low Carbon Resilience (LCR)? Mitigation + Adaptation Window of opportunity Win-wins, co-benefits for natural systems, infrastructure, municipal costs, etc.

5 Background The Canadian Context Environmental hazards (extreme storms, drought, wildfire, flooding) Financial strains at the municipal level Policy fragmentation

6 Background Defining and Positioning LCR LCR history in Canada Adaptation + Mitigation + Sustainable Development (AMSD) Sustainability + Adaptation + Mitigation (SAM) Maladaptation Gaining traction

7 LCR in Today s Political Climate The International Scale The Paris Agreement UN SDG s Sendai Framework The IPCC

8 LCR in Today s Political Climate New Federal Approaches Mandate letter to the Minister of the Environment: Reducing emissions, protecting communities Low carbon economy New Liberal budget $125 million for infrastructure, $518 million for local infrastructure Adaptation/mitigation grants

9 Incorporating Resilience into a Low Carbon Future: Mitigation Through Carbon Pricing Putting a price on carbon Taxes, trading mechanisms, combination approaches at provincial/national level Revenues: Investing in adaptation Reducing the municipal financial strain

10 Resilient Renewables and Energy Systems Sense of urgency shifting to renewables Low carbon economy national, provincial, municipal Planning for resiliency: Disruptions to energy supply Avoiding costly refurbishments, relocations, upgrades

11 Resilient Renewables (continued) LCR in energy: Solar, geothermal, district energy Resilient due to decentralized design Preserving natural systems: Building on the existing footprint Risks to energy systems: Hydropower in California Lucid Energy

12 Low Carbon Resilience and Ecosystem Services: Extreme Heat Heat trends Urban Heat Island (UHI) Particular importance for LCR: Energy needs, cooling needs Green infrastructure: trees, parks, rain gardens, green roofs

13 Low Carbon Resilience and Ecosystem Services: Stormwater and Flooding Impermeable infrastructure in cities impacts drainage Ecosystem-based solution: Slowing and storing water Reducing the need for carbon/energy intensive processes, providing carbon storage

14 Low Carbon Resilience and Transportation Systems Active/public Evacuate, pre-designated evacuation locations, shelter in place

15 Low Carbon Resilience and Ecosystem Services: Soil Health Soil Health The agroecology approach Carbon storage potential in soil No-till, cover cropping, etc: restorative agriculture Healthy soils and carbon/water storage Avoiding the weather whiplash Education and collaborative farm programs

16 Low Carbon Resilience and Ecosystem Services: Ecosystem Health Improve biodiversity, link habitat, reduce fragmentation Species migration, extinction Wildlife arks BC s Future Forest Ecosystems Initiative

17 The Business Case for Low Carbon Resilience: Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services Natural capital: geology, soil, air, water, living systems Ecosystem Services: Provisional, regulatory, habitat/supporting services, cultural services Natural asset management Property value Town of Gibsons

18 The Business Case for Low Carbon Resilience: Preserving Infrastructure and the Costs of Inaction Municipalities and the infrastructure deficit: $123B, growing $2B/yr Extreme event costs Infrastructure is aging New infrastructure lasts years, extreme weather increasing Updating codes, standards for LCR

19 Funding and Finance Tools Internal Revenue Financing Borrowing Reserve Funds Climate/Green Bonds Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Funding Property Taxes Tax Levy Local Improvement Charge (LIC) User Fees Development Cost Charges External Revenue Federal Gas Tax Intergovernmental Grants Public-Private Partnerships CARIP Grant (BC Only) Carbon Fund Innovative Programs Local Incentives and Rebates LIC Financing Density for Benefit Agreements Natural Area Tax Exemption

20 Exploring Funding Overlap/Gap/Packaging Options Applying tools in conjunction with: Active/transportation corridor Disaster mitigation Mixed use, low carbon housing Biodiversity / habitat protection Renewable energy Health Art/community engagement Mayoral pet-projects Major infrastructure investment

21 Green Resilience Matrix Green Resilience Matrix Identifying Climate Adaptation + Mitigation Synergies INVESTMENTS WHAT ARE YOUR TOP INVESTMENTS? (A, M, I) Adaptation Mitigation Infrastructure Version: Sep 2017 Ask the Climate Question Title Amount Status Description #1 Mitigation Opportunities Adaptation Opportunities Adaptation Opportunities Infrastructure Investment Infrastructure Investment Mitigation Opportunities

22 Concluding Thoughts Mitigation alone is insufficient, we have to implement LCR Responding holistically to increasing uncertainty Low carbon movement Facilitating ecosystem services LCR as a mindset

23 ACT Adaptation to Climate Change Team For more information about ACT, our policy reports, and adaptation resources, please go to act-adapt.org, or contact us at For more information about Green Resilience Strategies, contact Steve Winkelman at Thank you! Questions?