Collaborative governance in Outaouais: Living lab-based action research on the co-production of climate change adaptation strategies and administrative leadership

This project is a real-life case study on participatory governance being used in municipal settings to address climate change challenges at a regional scale. The goal is to have public, community and private organizations and residents coordinate their adaptation efforts.

Project details

Scientific program

Programmation 2020-2028

Theme(s) and priority(s)

Energy Security - Extreme Events - Adaptation of Living Environments - Climate Governance

Start and duration

May 2025 • March 2028

Project Status

In progress

Principal(s) investigator(s)

Geneviève Baril

ENAP

Marie-Christine Therrien

ENAP

Context

This action research project, conducted in the form of a living lab, aims to support the RCMs of Collines-de-l’Outaouais, Pontiac and Papineau in developing and implementing climate plans in response to growing climate challenges (floods, heat waves, etc.). By developing a collaborative climate governance model, it will facilitate coordination between local and regional stakeholders and the public in order to co-construct lasting, inclusive adaptation solutions that are adapted to local realities.

Objective(s)

To support the three Outaouais RCMs involved in the Outaouais climate plan project in the process of developing and implementing their climate plans
To support the co-construction and co-implementation of a collaborative governance approach promoting innovative, collaborative, lasting, inclusive and effective climate adaptation solutions
To document and analyze the collaborative governance process, particularly the stage of developing and implementing climate plans in a living laboratory context, to ensure continuous improvement and transferability
To align the project with the activities and timelines of other stakeholders, including the deliverables of the firms hired by the three RCMs under the Quebec government program to accelerate the local climate transition (ATCL)
To identify the elements that facilitate or hinder the development and implementation of climate plans, paying particular attention to the effectiveness of the ATCL program (implementation) and the effectiveness of intervention at the RCM-wide scale for climate adaptation initiatives
To identify the lessons learned and best practices for municipalities, not only in terms of climate change adaptation, but also for other operations such as crisis management and community resilience to various types of hazards.

Methodology

his project uses a human-centred research and design methodology otherwise known as a “living lab.” This methodology allows all stakeholders to be involved in co-producing public and social innovations. It includes various strategies to ensure that the analysis is rigorous and the learnings from the project are more transferable, namely:

A tripartite method including documentary analyses, observations, and semi-structured interviews, in order to diversify data sources and limit interpretation biases
A reflective approach, integrated throughout the project, allowing the participatory methods and measures to be adjusted according to the dynamics observed
Monitoring of power asymmetries within interactions between participants in order to analyze their impact on the co-construction of strategies

Expected results

Several results will emerge from this research project:

The co-construction of a collaborative climate governance model on a regional scale
The co-construction of strategies facilitating the implementation of this model
The co-construction of a practical guide on the development and implementation of collaborative climate governance at the regional level