Municipal Natural Assets Initiative: Region of Peel Pilot

Published by: David Suzuki Foundation and partners
Authored by: Michelle Molnar, Jake Sahl, Michael Thompson, Joal Borggard, Sakshi Saini, Amanjot Singh, Tatiana Koveshnikova, Kamal Paudel
Partners: Smart Prosperity Institute, Town of Gibsons, Roy Brooke and Associates
ISBN: 978-1-988424-16-3

Cities, Climate solutions Ontario, Municipal Natural Assets Initiative, eco-assets, economics, water systems, natural capital, climate change, forests

While Canada focuses on efforts to reduce climate change, there’s growing recognition that we can’t meet our climate change goals without finding ways to adapt. A natural assets management approach has the advantage of addressing both mitigation and adaptation, taking us to the next level of policy solutions.

The Region of Peel considered Fletcher’s Creek and East Credit River subwatersheds. Palustrine, isolated and riverine watersheds, as well as forests and green spaces, were the focus. A 100-year storm event and future climate change scenario were tested. The value of the stormwater services provided by natural assets in the subwatersheds was estimated at $704 million under current climate and $764 under future climate change conditions, indicating that natural assets have an essential role in the face of worsening climate change.