Climate Change Adaption Plan
The District of Carleton North has developed a Climate Change Adaption Plan (CCAP) to help guide community decisions, activities, and infrastructure to reduce potential harm from actual or expected climate conditions in the future.
Dillon Consulting Limited (Dillon) worked collaboratively with the District of Carleton North to secure funding form the New Brunswick Department of Environment and local Government to develop this Climate Change Adaption Plan (CCAP or Plan).
This plan looks at local risks and outlines practical steps to protect residents, services and infrastructure.
The main objectives of the Plan are to identify the climate change vulnerabilities of specific community infrastructure assets and components and to develop strategic adaptation measures that will increase District of Carleton North’s resilience to climate change impacts.
WHY IS THIS PLAN IMPORTANT?
Climate change is already affecting our area. The plan helps the District:
- Reduce future damage and repair costs
- Keep roads, water, and services operating during extreme weather
- Protect public safety and vulnerable residents
- Plan smarter for growth and development
WHAT CHANGES ARE EXPECTED?
The study found that our region is likely to experience:
- Hotter summers and more heat waves
- More intense rainfall and flooding
- Periods of drought and water shortages
- More freezing rain, strong winds, and power outages
WHAT IS MOST AT RISK
The plan identified growing risks to:
- Roads and bridges, especially near rivers
- Water supply wells and wastewater systems
- Emergency response and evacuation routes
- Power and communication systems
- Public buildings and community facilities
Some locations are already considered at risk for flooding, based on past events and local knowledge.
WHAT THE DISTRICT PLANS TO DO
The plan recommends actions such as:
- Improving emergency preparedness and backup power
- Protecting drinking water and firefighting supplies
- Upgrading drainage, culverts, and flood‑prone roads
- Using updated flood mapping and safer land‑use rules
- Working with other agencies to strengthen power reliability
Many actions will be phased in over time as funding becomes available.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR RESIDENTS
- There is no immediate danger, but risks are increasing
- Planning ahead helps avoid bigger problems later
- The plan allows the District to apply for provincial and federal funding
- The goal is to keep our community safe, connected, and resilient
WHAT IS NEXT
The Climate Change Adaptation Plan is a living document and will be updated as conditions change. Council will use it to guide future decisions, projects, and grant applications.
A copy of the full plan is available upon request OR online HERE