The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario has released this commentary on the government’s recent report, Climate Ready, Ontario’s Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan, 2011-2014. In this report, the Commissioner says the province is off to a good start, but points out gaps. The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO)’s vision of a successful adaptation strategy is one that:

• describes decisive actions and prioritizes them for implementation;
• details the responsibilities of all relevant ministries;
• contains quantifiable targets and specific timelines for delivery; and
• identifies program areas, policies and legislation that need to be revised to achieve the strategy’s goals.

In essence, a successful strategy should focus on what new things need to be done, as well as look for ways to improve those actions already underway. What follows in this report are the ECO’s observations on how Climate Ready measures up against this vision of a successful adaptation strategy.