The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) is participating in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation capacity development partner grants. These grants help local governments in Alberta advance their climate adaptation knowledge and technical skills through the design and delivery of specialized training programs.
Why invest in climate adaptation?
Climate change is having local impacts throughout Alberta. The intensity and frequency of droughts, wildfires, floods, ice storms, and other unpredictable events is increasing. These hazardous events threaten Alberta’s natural environment, communities, infrastructure, services, economies, and the health and well-being of residents.
By understanding their climate risks, local governments can ensure their plans, processes, and management systems account for a changing climate, and implement locally relevant, equity-informed climate solutions.
Investments in climate adaptation can save local governments money, maintain assets and high-quality service delivery, and build strong and resilient communities. According to the Canadian Climate Institute, for every dollar invested in adapting to climate change and protecting Canadians against climate disasters, we can save as much as $15 in economy-wide future costs.
Program details
This funding allows the MCCAC to continue advancing community climate resilience through a new Collaborative Learning Stream of our existing Climate Resilience Capacity Building (CRCB) program.
This new funding stream will introduce adaptation training tailored to two community readiness levels (starting their climate adaptation journey or preparing to implement), as well as parallel working groups for peer-to-peer learning. Applications for this stream will open in Spring 2025.
Training and working groups will introduce learners to foundational climate adaptation topics, introduce best practice approaches for risk assessment and adaptation planning, and prepare communities for implementation.
Funder acknowledgement
This initiative is made possible by the Green Municipal Fund’s Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation program, which provides funding and skills development support to local governments to adapt and build long-term resiliency to the impacts of climate change. The project is primarily funded by the Government of Canada with additional support from the Government of Alberta.
The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre is a partnership of Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta, and the Government of Alberta.
“Our members welcome these grants, which will help communities fund work that improves their understanding of the risks presented by climate change. These grants are greatly appreciated, whether they go towards building skills and knowledge, creating plans, or implementing projects.”
Tyler Gandam, President, Alberta Municipalities
“Rural municipalities are often heavily impacted by severe weather and climate events, including floods and wildfires. RMA is hopeful that the programming developed and offered through this funding will apply a rural lens to climate risk preparation and mitigate and prepare municipalities of all types across Alberta to respond to and mitigate the impacts of climate risks.”
Kara Westerlund, President, Rural Municipalities of Alberta
“The MCCAC is proud to expand our Climate Resilience Capacity Building program with new training and peer learning opportunities. By investing in climate adaptation, Alberta’s municipalities can safeguard their communities, infrastructure, and local economies against climate risks. This initiative will empower local leaders with the knowledge and skills to build a more resilient future.”
Trina Innes, Executive Director, Sustainability Services at Alberta Municipalities
About the LLCA initiative
The Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation (LLCA) initiative is a $530 million program provided through FCM’s Green Municipal Fund that aims to accelerate local, equity-informed climate adaptation action by supporting knowledge development and project implementation across 1,400 municipalities.
LLCA is funded through the Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan and is a key component of the National Adaptation Strategy. LLCA is Canada’s second largest funding source helping municipalities adapt to the impacts of climate change.
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