What is ORCCA
The Ontario Resource Centre for Climate Adaptation
The Ontario Resource Centre for Climate Adaptation (ORCCA) is here to help Ontario communities and organizations better understand, cope, manage, and adjust to changing climatic conditions. ORCCA’s team of adaptation experts and support staff deliver services to municipalities and organizations looking for resources and assistance with technical issues, program delivery, staff capacity, and climate communication.
We are committed to strengthening relationships with Indigenous groups and knowledge keepers, knowing that reconciliation requires ongoing learning, unlearning, reflection, and action. We endeavour to listen to and learn from Indigenous Peoples on an ongoing basis in the process of our work.
The Ontario Resource Centre for Climate Adaptation’s
Mission
Ontarians are facing the impacts of climate change now, but many communities lack the resources, capacity and knowledge to assess impacts, develop plans, and implement action to prepare for a changing climate. They may also lack the resources and expertise to source and analyze climate information and/or implement adaptation solutions.
ORCCA fills this gap by providing a one-stop shop where users can get access to Ontario-specific information and resources for various stages of adaptation action. Our mission is to equip local governments and organizations with the information and support they need to increase climate resilience in the Great Lakes basin and throughout Ontario. Driving this mission is the need for accessible, reliable, actionable climate information and access to the expertise needed to interpret and apply this information in a local context.
These needs are informed by a wide range of key drivers.
- Social drivers — The impacts of climate change on communities and human health.
- Economic drivers — The impacts of climate change on the competitiveness of economic sectors in Ontario, such as agriculture, energy, and insurance.
- Environmental drivers — The impacts of climate change on ecosystems, species, and the increasing threats to life and property from disasters due to climate-related severe events.
The demand for climate services continues to grow within Ontario, the Great Lakes basin, Canada, and internationally, so a constellation of players working together is important.
Part of a Canadian Network
ORCCA is part of a growing network of climate service organizations across Canada, including the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, Ouranos, ClimateWest, and CLIMAtlantic. Each organization provides regionally specific climate adaptation expertise to meet the needs of communities and users across the country.
Led by ICLEI Canada
ICLEI Canada brings their 25+ years of experience working with Canadian communities to build capacity for climate action, including working closely with Great Lake communities over the past decade. A Steering Committee brings additional expertise, experience, and a range of perspectives to the project.
Working together, ICLEI Canada and the ORCCA Steering Committee foster regional collaboration and respond to the climate adaptation needs of communities in Ontario.
