Adaptation, Mitigation, and Equity

Updated on November 14, 2025

Adaption, Mitigation and Equity 

Our community needs to be better prepared for climate change's ongoing and escalating impacts. Our region has experienced significant climate-related events, including heat domes, flooding incidents and forest fires. Events such as these are widely expected to continue and intensify. Future changes we can expect to see include: 

  • Increasing temperatures, heightening the risk of drought, water scarcity and heat-related health issues  
  • More frequent and severe wildfires  
  • Rising sea levels and more coastal flooding  
  • Ocean acidification, with implications for coastal marine species of environmental, economic and cultural significance  
  • Increased winter rainfall 
  • Decreased winter snowpack 

The 2023 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report provides guidance on keeping global warming below the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius. The report also strongly emphasizes achieving interim targets by 2030, underscoring the significance of the 2020s as a pivotal decade for climate action. 

Adaptation and Mitigation 

Both mitigation and adaptation are necessary for our strategy to address climate change. Mitigation actions aim to reduce emissions that cause climate change, while adaptation focuses on managing the impacts already happening or expected. These two approaches are critical for lessening the risks linked to climate change.  

Difference Between Adaptation and Mitigation  

Climate change adaption involves adjusting services and infrastructure due to changing climate conditions. For example:  

  • Infrastructure and building improvements 
  • Strengthening flood protection methods 
  • Disaster management strategies and business continuity planning 
  • Increasing stormwater collection capacities 
  • Preserving and enhancing natural ecosystems 

Climate change mitigation focuses on reducing or preventing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. For example:  

  • Promoting energy-efficient and climate-resilient residential and commercial buildings 
  • Expanding the use of renewable energy sources 
  • Supporting sustainable transportation options 
  • Reducing waste sent to landfills 
  • Encouraging water and energy conservation practices 

There are some activities that serve as both adaption and mitigation strategies, including nurturing urban forests, building complete communities and emphasizing water and energy conservation.  

Readiness and Resilience 

The Regional District of Nanaimo is involved in initiatives to ensure our community's readiness for these coming changes. The initiatives include a focus on vulnerable populations with limited access to resources. Our approach to helping the community adapt to these changes includes: 

Another way that the RDN is working to build resilience to the impacts of climate change, is through the Our Changing Coast initiative. This four-year program involves technical studies to understand coastal flood risk and erosion in the region. It also has a focus on engaging the community and building partnerships that will inform the co-development of a Coastal Climate Adaptation Strategy for our region.  

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