LE3 .A278 2018

2018

Cohen, Alice

Acadia University

Bachelor of Arts

Honours

Environmental and Susta inability Studies

Environmental & Sustainability Studies

This thesis provides an analysis of the Municipal Climate Change Action Plan (MCCAP) process in Nova Scotia. In 2011, the Nova Scotia government became the first, and remains the only, Canadian province or territory to mandate municipal climate change adaptation planning. As a result, Nova Scotia is home to dozens of MCCAPs –far more than much larger jurisdictions and over two million dollars has been devoted to their development and implementation since 2011 (Vogel, 2015). The research methods of this thesis include a collation and analysis of the MCCAPs in Nova Scotia and follow up interviews with municipal and provincial planners across the province. The argument of this thesis is two-fold. First, based on the findings of the interviews, this thesis argues that, although not flawless, the MCCAP process was a net positive exercise for Nova Scotia municipalities as it has improved most municipalities’ knowledge and awareness of local climate hazards and accelerated many municipalities actions in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Second, this thesis reasons that, based on the overall effectiveness of the MCCAP process in Nova Scotia, municipalities occupy an important political niche in addressing climate change and enhancing the social and ecological resiliency of communities across Canada. This thesis expands the`understanding of the impacts of the MCCAP process in the four years since they were completed and explores the important role Canadian municipalities occupy in addressing one of the most challenging political issue in the country, climate change.

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2702