Adaptive and Resilient Communities Cohort (ARCC)

Climate adaptation refers to the action of adjusting to the current and/or expected impacts of climate change. It refers to making changes to processes, practices, and structures that will help limit harm posed by a changing climate. Actions can include both those that are short- and long-term and incremental and transformative. This definition was adapted in part from the UNFCCC and Grantham Research Institute.

Climate resilience refers to the actual capacity to prepare for and recover from the current and/or expected impacts of climate change. Resilience is more associated with a worldview that advocates for system-wide changes and long-term capability-building to enhance the ability to absorb changes and recover from their impacts. This definition was adapted in part from the UNFCCC and Grantham Research Institute.

A group of partners in a community (e.g., municipality, community groups and non-profits, individuals with lived/living experience, businesses, etc.) working together towards a common goal.

A challenge or setback that hinders local adaptation or resilience actions or projects from seeing progress. While barriers can vary across contexts and projects, there are many common barriers such as human resources, financing, and governance. For more details on common implementation barriers, see Table 4 in section 2.6 of Canada in a Changing Climate: Synthesis Report.