Investigating the extent and quality of health-focused climate adaptation planning: Insights from Western Canadian cities

Abstract

Climate change is resulting in morbidity and mortality across all regions of the globe. As temperatures continue to rise, the threat to health grows. Regardless of potential mitigation measures, some degree of warming in the near future is unavoidable. As a result, climate adaptation strategies targeted to protecting human health are essential. Local governments have a key role to play in health-focused adaptation, given their strong understanding of local health impacts, knowledge of the local population, and ability to implement local interventions. However, research demonstrates that local governments struggle to make meaningful progress on health-focused adaptation, and are often underprepared to face climate-health risks. Set in the Western Canadian context, this study applies a case study methodology (plan content analysis and key actor interviews) to explore the extent and quality of health-focused climate adaptation planning in five case study cities. Results indicate that although health-focused adaptation planning has been initiated within case study cities, various weaknesses exist within plans. Key weaknesses include a lack of climate-health information, a narrow focus on heat, and missing implementation details. Ultimately, cities note that they are struggling to make progress on their health-focused adaptation agendas, and describe themselves as unprepared to face climate-related health risks. Recommendations to improve health-focused adaptation planning are provided.