About the Project

The Central Okanagan is already seeing more extreme weather, such as heat, wildfires, smoke, flooding and drought, and these events are becoming more frequent and disruptive. They affect people’s health, damage homes and infrastructure, strain emergency services and interrupt daily life. As the region continues to grow, the impacts of climate change are expected to increase.

To better prepare, the Regional District of the Central Okanagan (RDCO) is creating a Regional Climate Resilience Strategy (RCRS) supported by a Hazard Vulnerability Risk Assessment (HVRA) for Electoral Areas East and West, and a Climate Vulnerability Risk Assessment (CRVA) for the region. These initiatives will help communities understand their biggest risks, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and take practical steps to protect people, services and infrastructure and support the delivery of services to our communities.

📢Get involved

Public engagement will take place from February 23 to March 20, with opportunities for residents and community organizations across the Central Okanagan to provide input through an online survey or by submitting ideas on what matters most to them when considering a climate resilient future.

Residents and community organizations are invited to:

• Complete the online survey or pick up a printed copy at the RDCO Administrative Offices, 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna
• Submit their vision and ideas on the climate‑related issues and actions they believe should be prioritized in the strategy

🧭Process

The Strategy is based on a detailed assessment of how climate hazards affect residents, essential services and the environment - now and in the future. The work will also examine how risks are experienced differently across our community, particularly among vulnerable populations and when compounded by factors such as health and income.

The project will bring together the RDCO, Indigenous communities, local jurisdictions, service providers and community organizations. Public input will be gathered through a survey and ideas on the draft strategy to ensure it reflects local experiences and priorities.

📑Outcome

The CRVA and HRVA will be developed between February and Summer 2026. It will include maps, analysis and recommended actions that communities can take to reduce risks, strengthen resilience and support long‑term planning across the region. Further updates will be provided as we move ahead.