Agriculture system vulnerability and risk-assessment study for climate adaptation
Expertise Applied:
Municipal climate adaptation planning
Municipal climate vulnerability and risk assessment
Stakeholder engagement
Agri-food sector and agricultural economic development expertise
Municipalities are on the front lines of climate action, taking an increasingly active role in building resilience to climate change.
Ontario’s agriculture sector is a major driver of the provincial economy. In fact, the agri-food sector employs one in nine Ontarians and contributes over $50 billion in economic activity each year.
As climate change brings more frequent extreme weather, shifting temperatures, and unpredictable precipitation, rural and regions with thriving agriculture and agri-food sectors face growing risks to farmers, agri-businesses, and local economies. Municipal governments can play a vital role in helping build resilience by using local data, engaging with industry, and developing sector-specific climate assessments that help guide practical, community-focused adaptation efforts.
Benefits of local government planning for climate change and agricultural sustainability:
Strengthens local economies
Enhances community safety and food security
Strengthens relationships between local governments and producers
Aligns local actions with provincial and national climate adaptation priorities
Improve government service delivery
Our team has expertise in working with municipalities to assess agriculture-specific climate risks and identify practical, locally driven actions to build sector resilience. These assessments help local governments better understand where they can support farmers through action within the scope of municipal service areas.
Our process:
Determine local, evidence-based future climate conditions relevant to the agricultural sector.
Identify potential positive and negative impacts on the agricultural sector.
Engage local agricultural stakeholders to confirm and refine possible impacts.
Conduct a vulnerability assessment, using the ICLEI-Local Government for Sustainability’s workbook for municipal climate change adaptation
Engage municipal staff to gather input on vulnerabilities from the perspective of key service areas.
Identify opportunities for municipal governments to support climate adaptation based on the highest-priority impacts for the agricultural sector.
Looking to build climate resilience in your municipality?
Our team can support you in developing agricultural vulnerability assessments, engaging your community, and informing adaptation strategies tailored to your local needs.