Question Period Note: Climate Change Adaptation and Clean Energy in Indigenous and Northern Communities

• Our government is working with Indigenous and northern communities to support the development of knowledge and tools to adapt to the impacts of climate change and support access to reliable, sustainable and affordable energy.
• We will continue to ensure that our partners are empowered to participate in policy and programming decisions that impact them.
• Building on the success of current programs, we will continue to support Indigenous and northern climate leaders to ensure a sustainable future for communities.

Background

Climate change impacts in Indigenous and northern communities
Indigenous and northern communities are already experiencing the significant and complex impacts of climate change on every aspect of their lives, and are the most in need of adaptation support. Unprecedented changes in temperature, precipitation, sea ice, glaciers, permafrost, freshwater availability, ecosystem dynamics, oceans, and sea level exacerbate existing challenges and health stressors across communities.

The overlapping impacts of climate change are especially apparent in the North as is evident in the northernmost Inuit hamlet of Grise Fiord. For example, the community, which is located along a narrow strip of land between the ocean and a glacier, is experiencing coastal erosion accelerated by reduced sea-ice extent and permafrost melt which is threatening infrastructure and roads. In addition, the community’s freshwater source, the Brume glacier, is retreating with run-off from the glacier menacing landslides and flooding in the community. Beyond the physical impacts, Indigenous communities are also experiencing impacts to food security due to changing animal migration patterns and un-safe travel conditions over sea ice. When animals are no longer available to hunt and fish, or accessing them becomes too dangerous, cultural and spiritual practices linked to these activities are also compromised which can have an effect on the survival of the culture and language in the long term.

Indigenous communities also face challenges in ensuring a safe, reliable, and reasonably priced supply of energy. This challenge is even more significant in Indigenous and northern communities that rely on diesel for heating and electricity generation. Climate change will place additional stress on all Indigenous and northern infrastructure, including energy systems and already vulnerable supply chains. Increasing volatility in both the price and availability of fuel supplies will also place these communities at greater risk and increase financial contributions required by the federal government. Fuel transportation costs will continue to increase due to winter road failures and other climate change impacts.

CIRNAC climate change programming
CIRNAC’s suite of five climate change adaptation and clean energy programs have been recognized as best practices for working with Indigenous Peoples on climate change by ECCC and the AFN. They are:
First Nation Adapt – funding for climate change adaptation assessments including flood maps in First Nations south of the 60th parallel with an emphasis on impacts to infrastructure and emergency management.
Climate Change Preparedness in the North – climate change adaptation program for Indigenous and northern communities in the three territories and four Inuit regions with funding for small scale implementation of adaptation measures.
Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring – distinctions-based for climate monitoring in Indigenous communities across the country.
Northern REACHE – funding for the planning and construction of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects and related capacity building in the three territories and four Inuit regions.
Engaging Indigenous Peoples in Climate Policy – funding for the participation of the National Indigenous Organizations at bilateral distinctions-based senior-level tables with the Government of Canada with additional funding for non-affiliated groups to participate in climate change policy discussions.

These programs aim to empower Indigenous Peoples and northerners to take a leadership role in climate action through participation in policy and programming. Projects are community-led, build capacity and skills and yield economic opportunities for communities.

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