Results at a Glance - Evaluation of the Climate Change Adaptation and Clean Energy Program

Introduction

• As part of the Pan-Canadian Framework, CIRNAC received ongoing funding in 2016 to support continued climate change adaptation work. In 2017, CIRNAC along with ten other departments sought to renew and expand with new programming elements to further enhance adaptation efforts, such as including traditional knowledge and using a distinctions-based approach to program implementation.
• The Climate Change Adaptation and Clean Energy Program (CCACE) is intended to increase the resilience of Indigenous and northern communities by supporting the integration of climate information in decision-making and reducing reliance on diesel and greenhouse gas emissions.

Program Resources

• Expenditures for the CCACE were approximately $133,745,126 over the evaluation period.

Expected Results and Outcomes

• The CCACE contributes to the following CIRNAC result:
  • Indigenous and Northern Communities are resilient to changing environments.

What the evaluation found

• The CCACE is highly relevant in terms of its alignment with the needs of Indigenous and northern communities related to climate change by supporting planning and implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures.
• The CCACE is an effective and well-conceived, designed, managed, and delivered program that embraces Indigenous climate leadership, contributes to positive impacts at the community-level, and displayed strong program delivery and governance.
• CCACE oversubscription is substantial and widespread and the full breadth and depth of the climate change-related needs of Indigenous and northern communities extend far beyond what the CCACE has been positioned and resourced to achieve.
• Improving community resilience to the impacts of climate change and transitioning communities off-diesel is a whole-of-government challenge, which CIRNAC and the CCACE cannot address in isolation.

Recommendations and Responses

It is recommended that CIRNAC:

1. Continue to work with Indigenous and northern communities to ensure implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation actions that are commensurate with the observed and projected repercussions of climate change, including sustainable funding mechanisms for Indigenous and northern communities.

Response: The CCACE will continue to work with Indigenous and northern communities on climate action and provide support to communities to identify priorities and develop project proposals.

2. Scale-up the CCACE—and further strengthen engagement by adding system Navigators within the program and cross-initiative procedures and processes.

Response: The CCACE will continue to seek opportunities to scale-up and build upon the existing climate change liaisons model in the North and seek additional funding to implement system Navigators nationally.

3. Build on the Northern REACHE’s participation in the development of the Indigenous and Remote Communities Clean Energy Hub by implementing a one-window approach through collaboration with other federal departments to support adaptation in Indigenous and northern communities.

Response: The CCACE will work towards implementing a one-window approach with Indigenous Services Canada’s (ISC) Climate Change and Health Adaptation program. The CCACE will continue to work collaboratively with other departments such as ISC, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Natural Resources Canada.

4. Co-develop the CCACE program performance measurement and reporting to ensure that Indigenous and northern communities’ understandings of success towards meeting climate change adaptation and mitigation needs are reflected to foster joint leadership and accountability.

Response: The CCACE has recently begun to review performance measurement. The CCACE will update the Performance Information Profile (PIP) to reflect most recent indicators developed in 2022 and update the PIP following the completion of logic models for two new initiatives: Northern REACHE’s collaboration with partner departments as part of the Indigenous and Remote Communities Clean Energy Hub and the development of the Indigenous Climate Leadership Agenda.

About this evaluation

The evaluation covers the activities and outcomes of four of CIRNAC’s CCACE initiatives: First Nation Adapt (FNA), Climate Change Preparedness in the North (CCPN), Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring (ICBCM), and Northern Responsible Energy Approach for Community Heat and Electricity (Northern REACHE) for the period of April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2021. It included a document review, performance data review, 28 key informant interviews, and three case studies on support of the community of Tuktoyaktuk, contribution to Indigenous Climate Leadership, and investment and engagement approach.