Our Work

Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan

Whitby adapts to save money and lives

Client

Town of Whitby

Population

140,000

Schedule

2021 – 2022

The Problem

The Town of Whitby knows that climate change threatens the quality of life and economic vitality of the community, but by how much? And how can it reduce the risks? 

The Problem

How can Whitby prepare for the impacts of climate change? 

$700m

per year of potential damages due to flood and heat by 2070

194k

projected increase in population by 2070

*According to business-as-usual projections.  See the Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan for additional information.

The Solution

SSG worked with the Town of Whitby to assess climate risks and vulnerabilities with ScenaAdaptation and develop the Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan.

The project was the first of its kind in Canada—no community had previously quantified the financial impact of climate risks and the associated value of adaptive actions. 

SSG’s analysis had a direct impact on Whitby’s development plans: restricting the location of future development away from a flood zone will prevent billions of dollars in future damage.

The Outcome

The analysis identified:

$17b

in avoided future damage

$423m

of return on investment in green infrastructure

* By 2070, in an adapted scenario relative to a business-as-planned scenario. See the Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan for additional information. 

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