Bad Forecast: The Illusion of Indigenous Inclusion and Representation in Climate Adaptation Plans in Canada

In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the importance of Indigenous knowledge in responding and adapting to climate change.

In 2022, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s ECCC) released Canada’s first ever National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) and National Action Plan (NAP), which present a landmark opportunity for Indigenous people to contribute to and lead climate action and adaptation in Canada. And, yet, there are significant shortcomings with the approach: failing to include Indigenous rights holders directly, excluding a genuine gender framework, and distilling and making processes (or lack thereof), and the impacts of this historic and ongoing exclusion.