Climate Adaptation

The effects of climate change are already being felt. Higher temperatures, wetter winters, and drier summers are all existing and project impacts of climate change. While local and world efforts on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction are critical and urgent, the impacts of climate change will continue.   The City recognizes the need to adapt and prepare for climate impacts.  The following are some City initiatives that address Climate Adaptation:

• Climate Change Resilience Strategy (2020)
• Community Wildfire Protection Plan (2016) 
• Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (2014)

In 2022, Council adopted City Plan, which includes a number of policies to help the City adapt to Climate Change.  Climate change adaptation strategies can be found throughout City Plan but are primarily focused within sections C1.2, Climate Adaptation and Hazard Management and D3, Blue and Green Network. City Plan also included two new Development Permit Areas for Sea Level Rise and Wildfire Mitigation to help guide and protect new development from future climate hazards.

Sea Level Rise

In January 2018, the Province of BC adopted an amendment to the Flood Hazard Area Land Use Management Guidelines that incorporated new building standards for coastal areas that consider relative sea level rise (RSLR) to 1.0 metre by 2100. In response to the province's actions, the City began an initiative to better understand and address the potential impacts of sea level rise on the City.

The City completed a Sea Level Rise Study (Study) in 2018.  The Study is a high-level vulnerability assessment of the City's coastline.  The Study includes sea level rise projections for 2050 and 2100; an assessment of potential coastal erosion impacts, and defines a Flood Construction Level (FCL) along the City's shoreline for 2050 and 2100. The Flood Construction Level is defined by summing up the high tide, storm surge, and wind and wave effects for the shoreline. An additional parameter, "freeboard", is added on top of this to provide an extra factor of safety.

Results from the  2018 study show that there are low-lying areas along the coastline, which are vulnerable to sea level rise. Specifically Departure Bay, Duke Point, Protection Island, and portions of the Downtown. Assessing the extent of risk posed will require further work.   As part of the Sea Level Rise Management Plan the City is currently updating the study to better understand coastal flooding impacts in those areas identified as vulnerable.

The results of the Study informed CityPlan Nanaimo, including the creation of a new Sea Level Rise Development Permit Area for Nanaimo. 

• Sea Level Rise Study (2018)
• Appendix D - FCL Mapping Year 2018
• Appendix F - FCL Mapping Year 2100
• Development Permit Area Three (DPA3) - Sea Level Rise

Learn more about the ongoing Sea Level Rise Management Plan project.

• Sea Level Rise Management Plan

Case Studies in Resiliency

• Green Shores Restoration: Pipers Lagoon

Emergency Management

Disaster and Emergency. We live in an earthquake zone, and with climate change upon us, there is a growing risk of disasters and major emergencies that could affect our city. To learn about the City of Nanaimo's Emergency Management Program, our Emergency Response and Recovery Program, and even how you and your family can be better prepared for an emergency, visit the Emergency Management page. In addition, if you haven't already, sign up for emergency notifications by app, text, email, or phone call here on our Emergency Call Alert System page.

Climate Impacts Brochure

Learn more about how climate change will affect Nanaimo and what you can do to prepare for these changes.

• Climate Impacts Brochure

Climate Projections

In 2023, the Regional District of Nanaimo worked with the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium to help us better understand how climate change will impact our region.  The summary report provides science-based regional predictions for how our local climate and weather may change as a result of global climate change.

• Climate Projections for the Regional District of Nanaimo