Background
The report by Earnscliffe Strategy Group, prepared for Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), examines the preparedness of Canadian professionals (engineers, planners, accountants, and landscape architects) in integrating climate change adaptation into their practices. The necessity for a skilled workforce that can effectively adapt to climate change's impacts is underscored, identifying a significant gap in the current labor market's readiness.
Key Findings
Broad Recognition of Climate Change:
Across all surveyed professions, there is a universal recognition of the existence and importance of climate change, and a consensus that more action is required to adapt to its impacts.
Knowledge Gaps in Professional Circles:
A common barrier identified across professions is the lack of climate change adaptation knowledge within professional networks, including clients and senior management. This gap hinders effective communication and integration of adaptation strategies in projects.
A Closer Look at Landscape Architects:
- 80% of landscape architects recognize the potential impact of their work on climate adaptation and mitigation, with 45% believing in a significant impact.
- 92% of landscape architects see their profession as impactful in climate adaptation.
- However, only 17% feel very well equipped with the necessary competencies for implementing adaptation tools and strategies.
Training and Competency Development:
A notable gap exists between the perceived understanding of climate change impacts and the self-assessed readiness to employ adaptation strategies.
There are gaps in current training opportunities in areas such as climate finance; climate law; regulations, codes, and standards; and asset management.
While landscape architects are interested in learning more about topics such as nature-based infrastructure and natural assets; ecological restoration; and climate justice.
Measures for Integrating Climate Adaptation:
The survey results emphasize the need for including climate change adaptation into professional standards, professional development programs, and educational curriculums.
What do these results mean?
The report sets a baseline for the professional workforce's readiness to incorporate climate change adaptation into their practices which may be used as a metric for evaluating the success of the following target set in the National Adaptation Strategy:
“By 2027, 70% of the members of relevant professional associations (e.g., civil engineers, planners, landscape architects, accountants, and others) have the capacity to apply climate change adaptation tools and information and communicate the business case for adaptation measures to their clients or target audiences” (Government of Canada, National Adaptation Strategy, p. 29)
Canadian landscape architects still have a long way to go to reach the 70% target by 2027.
For more information the full report can be accessed here.