Climate in the city: An environmental scan of climate resilience and health equity initiatives in the GTA

Overview

Climate change is one of the most significant public health threats of this century, and it has particular implications for urban settings, due to their dense infrastructure, large populations and heat-trapping environments.  

Climate change does not impact everyone equally in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). A community’s vulnerability is heavily influenced by social and structural factors because those with fewer resources are less able to adapt. 

This scan by Wellesley Institute provides a snapshot of current climate resilience strategies in GTA communities most at risk of climate-related health impacts. It is the first to systematically identify and synthesize efforts underway among equity-deserving populations. 

Research question

What research, strategies and initiatives have been developed and implemented in the GTA that aim to address or build climate resilience in communities most at risk of climate-related health impacts? 

What we did

Information was gathered through a scan of both scholarly and grey literature, including organizational reports, strategies and websites. Key informants were also consulted to supplement the document scan. 

Key findings

Sixty-eight initiatives aimed at strengthening climate resilience and focusing on equity-deserving communities were identified in the GTA. 

Taken together, these initiatives highlight the emergence – and the need – for initiatives that not only address environmental impacts but also tackle the systemic inequities that exacerbate vulnerability, such as poverty, housing insecurity and social isolation.  

Moving forward, communities, governments and other stakeholders have a role in fostering resilience strategies that go beyond simply maintaining the status quo, and that act on structural changes that foster long-term equitable resilience.