Synthesis of current knowledge on the impacts of climate change on the water needs of four major water-consuming industrial sectors in Quebec and on potential adaptation measures

Municipalities and regional county municipalities (RCMs) in Quebec have several obligations that necessitate a better understanding of current and future water needs for human uses and for maintaining the aquatic ecosystems in their territory, particularly in the context of climate change.

Among these obligations are applications for an authorization to withdraw water, which must be submitted to the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP). These authorizations are based on the essential needs of the population (health, sanitation, civil protection, drinking water) and the needs of ecosystems, agriculture, aquaculture, industry, energy production and other human activities. RCMs must also understand the current and future water needs of all users in order to protect water resources over the long term by means of the integrated planned management of development (an objective in new government guidelines on land use planning).

However, in Quebec, the water needs of large industrial users and the factors that influence these needs are still poorly documented, as is the potential impact of climate change on these needs. 

The main objective of the project is to document and analyze the state of knowledge on the current and future water needs of four major water-consuming industrial sectors in Quebec, in order to assess how the effect of climate change can be taken into account in planning for the water needs of those industrial sectors. 

A secondary objective is to identify the knowledge that needs to be developed in order to issue robust recommendations on how to integrate the impact of climate change into the anticipation of the future water needs of large industrial water users.

The methodology is based primarily on a review of the scientific literature and grey literature, which will be validated and enriched by targeted consultations with representatives of sectoral and industry associations and other experts from the four industrial sectors that will be selected.

• A final report containing a literature review, the results of the consultations and some recommendations

• A consultation workshop with water experts and experts from the selected industrial sectors so that they can learn about the results of the project and comment on the recommendations made

716101