Shelley Hazen, Climate Change Specialist and Practice Area lead for GEI Canada, returned to work after a maternity leave to find a shift in the climate change industry. "All of a sudden, our clients are asking for mitigation and adaptation in tandem,” she says, after years of focus on coping with climate impacts now at the expense of planning for the future

This shift, while seemingly sudden, reflects a growing recognition that the climate crisis demands an integrated, holistic approach.

GEI Consultants (GEI) is a consulting science and engineering firm with decades of experience working in environmental and ecological sciences, climate resiliency, asset management, infrastructure planning, structural engineering and construction management – all areas that now go hand in hand with planning for climate change today and in the future, making Hazen’s role critical for many of GEI’s clients.

Mitigation and Adaptation: A Necessary Partnership

To understand why this shift is so important, it’s crucial to differentiate between the two strategies.

Climate adaptation involves adjusting infrastructure, systems, and practices to minimise harm from the already occurring and expected impacts of climate change. Hazen describes it as “coping with the changes that are already happening,” which in practice means building flood-resistant infrastructure or designing energy-efficient buildings that can withstand rising temperatures.

On the other hand, climate mitigation focuses on reducing the causes of climate change, such as by transitioning to renewable energy or protecting forests that sequester carbon. "The less we’re mitigating today, the more we’ll have to adapt in the future,” Hazen points out. This highlights the time-sensitive nature of mitigation: while essential, its benefits can take decades to manifest, which means adaptation efforts must begin now

Addressing the Adaptation Gap

For years, climate mitigation has dominated policy conversations, focusing on ambitious emissions reduction targets and overshadowing the equally critical need for adaptation. This has led to what Hazen calls a significant “adaptation gap,” where efforts to prepare for the inevitable impacts of climate change have lagged behind.

But the growing demand for a combined approach shows that this is starting to change. “People are realising there’s a gap when it comes to implementing adaptation measures, and at the same time, they’re trying to include mitigation measures and just don’t know how,” Hazen explains. This gap is why a holistic approach is now essential—not just more adaptation solutions, but strategies that integrate both adaptation and mitigation.

Synergy for a Resilient Future

The more effectively we reduce emissions today, the easier it will be to adapt to the inevitable changes set in motion by climate change, she explains. Conversely, the less we mitigate now, the greater the burden of adaptation will be on future generations.

One of the best examples of this integrated approach is nature-based solutions, which provide adaptive benefits like flood protection and biodiversity conservation while also mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon. She cites the ‘urban heat island effect’ as one example that can be mitigated through nature-based solutions. The reality is that urban areas are significantly warmer than the surrounding rural areas and is often caused by the prevalence of heat-absorbing surfaces like dark pavement and roofing, or an excess of engines, and a lack of vegetation. The solution? Green infrastructure, adding vegetation back into communities and covering dark asphalt, parking lots, and roofs with a reflective coating.

By leveraging these natural systems, Hazen argues, “we can develop robust strategies that address both immediate and long-term climate challenges.”

Breaking Down Silos: Collaboration is Key

Achieving a resilient future will require collaboration across all sectors—government, private enterprise, and civil society. “Solutions cannot continue to be developed in isolation,” Hazen emphasises. For example, she adds that organisations like GEI, which focus on climate adaptation, and Palladium, with its expertise in nature-based solutions, exemplify how combining forces can lead to more comprehensive climate preparedness.

“By working together, we can provide a holistic approach that addresses both mitigation and adaptation needs.”

Ultimately, Hazen believes the climate crisis demands an all-hands-on-deck approach. “We need an integrated response to climate change—one that recognises the importance of both reducing emissions and adapting to unavoidable impacts. By breaking down silos and fostering collaboration, we can build a resilient future that safeguards our communities, economies, and ecosystems.”

This shift toward embracing both mitigation and adaptation in tandem may be just what’s needed to bridge the adaptation gap and create a more sustainable, resilient world.

For more information, contact info@thepalladiumgroup.com.