Climate Risk Assessment and Adaptation Planning
Preparing Collingwood for climate impacts and protecting our community, natural spaces and everyday services.
About the Project
Climate change is already affecting Collingwood. This project will help the Town understand local climate risks and plan practical actions to protect people, services and natural spaces.
This work will:
- Identify how climate and weather changes are affecting Collingwood today
- Assess which services, locations and residents are most at risk
- Outline actions the Town can take to prepare and reduce damage
- Support safe and reliable delivery of Town services (roads, water, emergency response, parks, recreation, facilities)
- Help protect natural spaces such as parks, trails, wetlands and waterfront areas
- Ensure Collingwood remains a healthy, active and welcoming community
- Identify actions individuals in the community can take to help adapt and be ready for changing weather
The plan is Town-led, with input from partners and community members.
It will result in a Climate Risk & Vulnerability Assessment and Climate Adaptation Plan for Council's consideration in Summer 2026.
Why This Work Matters
Climate adaptation is about preparing for the climate impacts and changing severe weather we are already seeing in Collingwood—flooding, heavy storms, extreme heat, and shoreline erosion.
For Collingwood, adaptation means:
- Protecting people, homes, businesses and neighbourhoods
- Keeping Town services running during extreme weather
- Reducing damage and emergency costs
- Safeguarding parks, trails, waterfront areas and natural spaces
- Maintaining the natural features that make Collingwood beautiful, support our outdoor lifestyle and local economy
- Helping the community stay healthy, safe and connected
A climate-ready Collingwood benefits everyone—residents, businesses, visitors and future generations.
What this Plan will Include
The draft Climate Adaptation Plan will outline:
- How climate change is affecting Collingwood today
- Which services, locations and residents are most at risk
- Practical steps the Town can take to prepare for flooding, heat and storms
- Roles for the Town, regional partners and community
- Priority actions and when work could begin
- How progress and results will be tracked over time
This project will produce a draft plan for Council's consideration in Summer 2026.
How You Can Participate
There will be several simple, accessible ways to take part as the project progresses:
- Pop-Ups in the community - meet the project team at pop-ups and community events to learn more, tell us what climate impacts matter most to you and help shape priorities.
- Quick polls & short surveys - share your input online through easy, mobile-friendly participation opportunities.
- Follow along - check this page for updates, plain-language explainers and 'What We Heard' summaries at each milestone.
Your feedback helps guide climate priorities and supports a stronger, more weather-ready community.