OPPI issues statement on climate change amid COP 26 conference

The Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and its members reaffirm their commitment to take action against climate change amid the COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference taking place now until November 12, in Glasgow, U.K.
 
The global average annual temperature is climbing, leading to increased hazards, extreme weather events, irreversible transformation of environments, damage to natural habitats, and the potential displacement of millions across the globe due to inhospitable conditions as a direct result of greenhouse gas emissions from human activity. The faster the climate changes, and the longer mitigation or adaptation efforts are put off, the more difficult and expensive it could be to respond to the impacts of climate change that are already happening, as well as prepare for future impacts.
 
Registered Professional Planners (RPPs) have the means to limit climate change and build a more prosperous, sustainable future. Planning-led solutions for communities can help reduce emissions, protect vulnerable communities, and ensure that social equity is an essential part of addressing climate change.
 
As world leaders convene at the COP 26 conference, it’s vital for global commitments, national policies, and local planning to work together to meet the demands of confronting and combating climate change. Preparing for the unavoidable impacts of climate change requires a drastic shift in the way we build our communities and requires immediate and committed action at every level of government, society, and across all sectors.
 
RPPs are in a unique position to bring together government officials, citizens, and allied professions in an integrated and collaborative approach – and OPPI is committed to equipping professional planners to meet the challenge of climate change.
 
 “The increasing complexity of the times we live in requires that our Institute continually adapts to be a leading voice in the future of our province and our profession,” says Paul Lowes, Registered Professional Planner (RPP) and OPPI Council President. “We are living in a historic moment of change and Registered Professional Planners have an important role in guiding that change to ensure it sets future generations up for success.”
 
OPPI, in collaboration with the Climate Risk Institute, Risk Sciences International, and Dillon Consulting, with funding support from Natural Resource Canada’s Building Regional Adaptation Capacity and Expertise (BRACE) program, has developed a suite of climate change training modules for professional planners. 
 
The online training program is a first of its kind in Ontario, bringing together current knowledge informed by the deep experience of practitioners in the field, and supported by an advisory committee of academic, municipal, private sector, and Indigenous members. 
 
The training has been piloted with students and planners, and a new offering is now open for registration via Climate Risk Institute. Learn more.