B.C. gives $75K for Delta to review its climate strategy
With the funds, Delta will ‘improve its understanding of risks, vulnerabilities and impacts to climate-related hazards’
The City of Delta is receiving $75,000 from the province to review its climate adaptation and resilience strategy.
The funding is part of $21 million, announced May 9, that B.C. is providing First Nations and local governments from its new Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program.
The program, alongside almost $20 million from B.C.’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, aims to support municipalities with projects that address natural and climate-driven hazards, such as floods, drought, extreme temperatures, earthquakes and landslides.
“The frequency of climate-caused events is increasing, and managing and reducing these risks is essential,” Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Kelly Greene said in a government press release.
“By supporting communities on these projects, we are helping to better protect these communities and the people who call them home. Our new DRIF program provides reliable, long-term funding so communities can better plan for and address their most pressing disaster-mitigation needs.”
With the funds headed its way, the city will “improve its understanding of risks, vulnerabilities and impacts to climate-related hazards through a review of climate-change projections and impacts, and a review of the city’s hazard, risk and vulnerability analysis,” according to a list of funded projects.
“Planning for the future includes planning for a changing climate,” Delta North MLA Ravi Kahlon said in a BC NDP caucus press release. “This funding will help Delta better adapt to and become more resilient to climate change.”
In all, 46 communities across B.C. are receiving Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding for local structural and/or foundational projects.