Building Resilient Communities for All: An Introduction to Equity in Climate Planning

Facilitated by: Elissama Menezes, Climate Equity Specialist, and Addie Burkam, AIM Network. 

When: September 15th, 18th, and 22nd 2025

Where: Saint John’s NL, Moncton NB, Halifax NS. Venues TBD.

 This foundational workshop introduces participants to the principles of climate equity and explains why integrating equity into climate adaptation and infrastructure planning is crucial for creating resilient, inclusive communities. Rooted in real-world examples, this session will help unpack complexity while creating space for discussion, reflection, and planning. Participants will investigate how social inequities shape climate vulnerability—and how municipalities can begin addressing these dynamics in practical, grounded ways.

This session is ideal for:

• Municipal and government staff working in climate adaptation, planning, public works, or community development

• Elected officials looking to lead on equity and resilience in their communities

• Staff new to climate or equity work who want a supportive space to start building understanding

• Communities interested in beginning or strengthening their climate resilience planning with a people-first approach

Whether your community has a strong asset management foundation or is early in your planning journey, this session offers a welcoming and actionable entry point.

Participants will:

• Build shared understanding of inequity and vulnerability in the context of climate risk

• Learn about equity-informed approaches to public engagement, municipal decision-making, and service delivery

• Identify initial equity considerations and community dynamics relevant to their own context

• Begin developing an Equitable Climate Service Delivery Roadmap—a flexible workplan of activities, goals, and timelines to guide future efforts

• Leave with practical resources (case studies, toolkits, templates) and ideas 

This workshop is delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal
Fund and the Government of Canada.