Disaster and climate risk and resilience assessments

Recent events, including unprecedented wildfire seasons, catastrophic flooding and extreme heat, highlight the importance of understanding and reducing disaster and climate risks, as well as enhancing the resilience of communities across B.C.

The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy are leading the development of provincial and regional disaster and climate risk and resilience assessments. This work builds on the 2019 Preliminary Strategic Climate Risk Assessment for B.C. and integrates disaster and climate risk. Findings from the provincial and regional assessments will inform risk reduction and resilience planning.

The provincial assessment will provide foundational information on key hazards including:

• Extreme heat
• Water scarcity and drought
• Wildfires
• Coastal and riverine flooding
• Earthquakes
• A multi-hazard event

This assessment will be developed in collaboration with First Nations including Modern Treaty Nations. It will also be informed by a diverse range of experts and perspectives across multiple sectors and demographics.

The findings and data from the assessments will be incorporated in ClimateReadyBC, an online platform designed to help people and communities better prepare for, understand, and reduce disaster and climate risks.

Upcoming regional assessments

Further in-depth regional assessments will begin in 2025. These assessments are anticipated for release in 2026.