PIBC 2026 CPL Webinar #7 – Land Use Planning in a Changing Climate

Local land use planning decisions impact climate action by guiding how our communities develop and change over time. By managing zoning bylaws, designing transit networks, drafting comprehensive community roadmaps, and setting clear targets to lower carbon footprints, planners directly shape the resilience and ecological health of our communities. In this webinar we bring together academics, provincial government officials and local planners for a robust discussion of land use planning in a changing climate.

·  Learn about current research, initiatives, policies and the toolkits available to planners that support climate informed land use decisions and find out from local planners how all this translates in practice; 

·  Dr. Andréanne Doyon from Simon Fraser University and Alyssa Hill from the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) will share findings from the recently released reportWhere We Build Matters: Land use planning for safety, affordability and resilience. Their presentation will discuss how land use planning in B.C. is currently addressing climate risk and highlight local government tools, examples, challenges, and opportunities to reduce exposure to hazards and build resilience for a changing climate. PICS supports researchers across UBC, SFU, UNBC and UVic to develop evidence-based climate solutions and connect scientific research with practical climate policy.

·  Learn how the former Climate Action Secretariat (CAS), which now operates under the newly restructured BC Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions (ECS), plays a central role in connecting the provincial government’s climate policies and funding with local climate action initiatives to support broader government priorities and community outcomes. As well, staff will present on Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) trends and insights (overall trends and hazard/risk-specific observations), including LGCAP resources and practical tools to support planning, evidence-informed decision-making, and effective communication of outcomes and benefits. This includes how climate-related actions can advance priorities such as affordability, public safety, economic resilience, and community well-being.   

We hope to see you there!

THIS EVENT IS ELIGIBLE FOR 1.5 ORGANIZED & STRUCTURED PIBC CPL UNITS.