Funding Opportunities for Climate Change Adaptation
There are multiple sources of funding available across the region from federal, provincial, and non-government sources. We are only listing those that have some permanence. Calls for proposals and other opportunities will be provided through our newsletter.
Natural Infrastructure Fund
This fund supports natural infrastructure that preserves, restores, or enhances ecosystem features and materials (e.g., water, native species of vegetation, sand and stone) to deliver beneficial community services and infrastructure outcomes. This fund can also support hybrid ‘grey’ infrastructure that incorporates elements to enhance or support natural infrastructure and the use of ecosystem processes.
- $200 million over 3 years
- Supports projects with eligible costs from $30,000 to $3,000,000
- A minimum of 10% of this fund will be allocated to indigenous-led projects
Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund
To address climate change and biodiversity loss, the Government of Canada is establishing the Natural Climate Solutions Fund which will invest $4 billion over the next ten years:
- 2 Billion Trees Program led by Natural Resources Canada ($3.19 billion) – see more details below
- Nature Smart Climate Solutions led by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) ($631 million)
- Agricultural Climate Solutions led by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada ($185 million)
2 Billion Trees Program
The 2 Billion Trees (2BT) program aims to motivate and support new tree planting projects. Over the next 10 years, up to $3.2 billion will be invested in tree planting efforts to support provinces, territories, third-party organizations (for and not-for profit) and Indigenous organizations to plant two billion trees across Canada.
The Climate Action and Awareness Fund (CAAF)
The Climate Action and Awareness Fund (CAAF) will invest up to $206 million over five years to support Canadian-made projects. The Climate Action and Awareness Fund is designed to support projects that can create middle class jobs for Canadians who work in science and technology, academia and at the grassroots community level.
Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, Infrastructure Canada
In 2018, the Government of Canada launched the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF), committing $2 billion over 10 years to invest in structural and natural infrastructure projects to increase the resilience of communities that are impacted by natural disasters triggered by climate change.
Budget 2021: an additional $1.375 billion in federal funding over 12 years was announced to renew the DMAF. Of this amount, a minimum of $138 million is allocated to Indigenous Recipients. The DMAF funding will now have two streams, with $670 million allocated to the small-scale project stream (projects with total eligible costs between $1 million and $20 million) and the remaining funding allocated to the large-scale project stream (projects with total eligible costs of $20 million and above).
Green Infrastructure Programs
Green infrastructure program funds where some are currently open to apply for. The goal with these is to help accelerate the deployment and market entry of next-generation clean energy infrastructure by investing in:
- commercial-scale technology demonstrations
- deployment
- community capacity building
- targeted research and development
The Canada Community-Building Fund (CCFB)
The Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) is a permanent source of funding provided up front, twice-a-year, to provinces and territories, who in turn flow this funding to their municipalities to support local infrastructure priorities. Municipalities can pool, bank and borrow against this funding, providing significant financial flexibility.
The Canada Community-Building Fund delivers over $2 billion every year to 3600 communities across the country. In recent years the funding has supported approximately 4000 projects each year. Communities select how best to direct the funds with the flexibility to make strategic investments.
Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS)
ACS is a program under the more than $4 billion Natural Climate Solutions Fund. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is partnering with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to develop projects that invest in natural climate solutions.
For information on participating, visit What this program offers, Who is eligible and How to apply.
First Nation Adapt Program
This program provides funding to First Nation communities located below the 60th parallel to assess and respond to climate change impacts on community infrastructure and disaster risk reduction. The program works with First Nation communities to identify region-specific priorities, impacts, and opportunities for climate change projects. The program prioritizes First Nation communities most impacted by climate change related to sea level rise, flooding, forest fires, drought, fisheries and winter road failures. These disruptive and costly impacts present significant challenges to meeting First Nation communities’ infrastructure needs.
The program provides support for communities to address one or more of the following types of projects:
- risk assessments of climate change impacts on community infrastructure or emergency management
- development and assessment of adaptation options
- cost benefit analysis of adaptation options
Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program
This program provides funding to support Indigenous peoples in the design, implementation or expansion of long-term community-based climate monitoring projects. The information gathered through community-based climate monitoring initiatives can be used to inform Indigenous community adaptation actions and address climate data gaps.
Budget 2017 announced $6 million per year in contribution funding for 10 years, starting in 2018.
Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
FCM offers grants for municipal environmental projects, some climate adaptation related. Loans are also available to municipalities at competitive rates, and most recipients receive an additional grant of up to 15 percent of their loan amount. Municipal partners may apply for competitive, long-term financing.
NBIF Climate Impact Fund
The New Brunswick Innovation Foundation’s (NBIF) Climate Impact Research Fund will support research in climate change mitigation approaches and contribute to understanding climate change impacts and successful adaptation.
The fund is open to researchers working in all fields of applied research and aims to support a broad range of solutions and studies addressing climate change. Projects must include a strong HQP component (engagement of students or research professionals) and show a strong plan for knowledge transfer through engagement with a non-academic partner (e.g., industrial, or knowledge-transfer partner).
One specific stream of the funding is for climate adaptation, including research that will shape policies and approaches to protect our environment and natural resources, and the industries that depend on them. This stream will also support research that addresses the human and social impact of climate change, including impacts on the health of our population, our communities and society.
Eco Canada’s Wage Subsidy
In partnership with the Government of Canada, ECO Canada is accepts applications to a newly released employer wage funding program for businesses of all sizes. Approved employers will receive employee wage funding up to 100% of a salary up to a maximum of $15,000.
- Between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive);
- A Canadian citizen, or permanent resident or a protected person as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
- Legally entitled to work in Canada; and
- Legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations
Clean Foundation’s Internship Program (Nova Scotia)
Clean Foundation partners with organizations to invest in training and employment for youth in the clean economy. Clean Leadership Summer Interns are trained with the knowledge and aptitude to become environmental stewards in their communities while delivering meaningful environmental projects during their 9 or 15-week summer internship. Organizations, located across Nova Scotia, who focus on climate change mitigation, conservation, waste management, clean tech, active transportation, research and other areas rooted in the clean economy are encouraged to apply.
New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund
The Environmental Trust Fund provides assistance for action-oriented projects with tangible, measurable results, aimed at protecting, preserving and enhancing the Province’s natural environment. The application period is typically open from November 1-30 each year.
Newfoundland & Labrador Climate Change Challenge Fund (CCCF)
The Climate Change Challenge Fund (CCCF) is a grant program designed to enable businesses, industry, municipalities, Indigenous organizations and public sector entities to undertake greenhouse gas reduction and adaptation projects in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The CCCF will be implemented over three fiscal years (2019/20-2021/22) by the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment (MAE). It is supported by over $20 million of funding through the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund, with $10.3 million from the Provincial Government and $10 million.
Prince Edward Island Climate Challenge Fund (CC Fund)
In 2020, the Government of Prince Edward Island established a $1-million annual Climate Challenge Fund (CC Fund). The CC Fund is intended to support the development of innovative solutions to the threat of climate change, including adapting to projected impacts. Download the PEI Climate Challenge Fund Guidelines and Criteria (PDF) below:
