Climate change is creating a growing array of economic and societal costs and risks, including severe flooding and forest fires, threats to infrastructure, and the risk of stranded assets in oil and gas production and distribution worth many billions of dollars. At the same time, potential opportunities exist in the low-carbon economy as public and private organizations develop innovative, disruptive technologies.

Managing climate change risk will be critically important to Canada and the international community for decades to come, as evidenced by the fact that other jurisdictions are already moving forward with effective regulatory and policy practices. Innovative public policy and technology will be required in Canada to address and manage climate change risks, and to promote faster adaptation without sacrificing robust economic growth.