SAT-ADAPT: A training and leadership initiative in climate change adaptation for territorial food systems

In Quebec, territorial food systems (TFSs) are local governance mechanisms for issues related to food, agriculture and the agri-food industry. They work with regional stakeholders to develop a common vision of priorities and to support policies and initiatives that are suited to the local realities. 

Due to their systemic, cross-sectoral approach, TFSs are well-positioned to strengthen and complement efforts that are already underway to cope with climate change, such as regional agricultural adaptation plans and municipal climate plans. Based on several inspiring examples, the SAT-ADAPT project aims to better understand, inform and equip the parties involved in TFSs in order to support the design and implementation of local climate adaptation strategies. 

This project aims to integrate climate change adaptation into Quebec’s TFSs, emphasizing the interconnections between the agricultural, agri-food, social and environmental sectors. 
Specifically, the project aims to: 

1. Map existing resources, expertise and initiatives for climate change adaptation in Quebec TFSs and internationally. 

2. Assess the knowledge and needs of Quebec TFSs in terms of climate adaptation.

3. Organize workshops to enhance knowledge, provoke critical reflection and co-create courses of action for the climate adaptation of TFSs in three regions of Quebec.

The SAT-ADAPT project is structured around four components: 

• Component 1. The mapping of the documentary resources, tools, expertise and initiatives that can be useful in the TFSs’ climate change adaptation is based on a review of the scientific and grey literature for Quebec, the rest of Canada, and internationally. Requests are also made by email and telephone to complete the mapping of initiatives and expertise in Quebec’s TFSs. 

• Component 2. The assessment of the climate change adaptation knowledge and needs of the parties involved in Quebec TFSs begins with a series of semi-structured interviews with approximately 30 key informants affected by Quebec TFSs, and continues with a broad-based online survey of Quebec TFS stakeholders.

• Component 3. Based on the results of the previous steps, a one-day training and co-creation workshop is organized in three regions of Quebec (one workshop per region) to educate parties involved in TFSs and promote critical reflection on their local realities and their climate change adaptation practices. Each workshop will include expert presentations, panel discussions and practical exercises to encourage collaboration and critical thinking on the implementation of adaptation solutions.  

• Component 4. A synthesis of the project’s results and learnings will enable the drafting of recommendations to promote the implementation of the identified adaptation actions and the development of useful resources for TFSs in other regions of Quebec.  

• A report presenting the mapping of resources, expertise and initiatives on TFS climate change adaptation

• A report on the assessment of the climate change adaptation knowledge and needs of the parties involved in Quebec TFSs

• A report on the results of the training and co-creation workshops for the identification of opportunities and orientations in climate change adaptation, accompanied by educational materials to support TFSs in implementing the adaptation strategies discussed

• A summary report of the project, including the main results and recommendations

• Centre d’innovation sociale en agriculture (CISA), Cégep de Victoriaville  

• Regroupement des cuisines collectives du Québec

• Forum SAT

• Vivre en Ville

• Chemins de transition

• Chaire de recherche UQÀM sur la transition écologique 

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