Professionals are taking action on climate change
Decision makers in the public and private sector look to qualified professionals, such as foresters, biologists, engineers, medical professionals and planners, to make decisions about a wide range of issues. Professional associations govern the activities of their members through codes of conduct and ethics, standards of practice, requirements for professional development, and other guidelines and therefore will have far-reaching influence and are well placed to play a leadership role in climate resilience.
Many of the decisions made today need to consider current and future climate-related risks to protect infrastructure, resources and services over the life of a project. Professionals associations are increasingly taking climate change impacts and adaptation very seriously and are considering what climate change risks mean to their professional practice. Many associations have begun to integrate climate change considerations into their guidelines, professional development activities and communications to their membership. In BC, some professional associations have signed joint statements on the need to take climate change into consideration in their professional activities, such as the Professional Leadership in a Changing Climate Joint Statement put forward by the Association of BC Forest Professionals, the College of Applied Biology, the Association of Professional Biology, the Planning Institute of BC and the BC Society of Landscape Architects.
Fraser Basin Council facilitates the Professional Associations’ Adaptation Working Group, a mechanism through which professional associations can share resources and information and coordinate activities on shared issues.
Resources for integrating climate resilience into professional practice can be found below.
Key resources for Professional Associations include:
- Adaptation Learning Network: Inspiring Climate Action.
- Climate Change Guide for Industry and Professional Associations.
- Low Carbon Resilience: Best Practices for Professionals.
- Check out the reports, resources and trainings that your particular professional association has on climate adaptation and resilience as well.