The Capacity of Quebec Businesses to Address Climate Challenges Must Be Strengthened
More than half were affected by climate events over the past year
Montreal, January 28, 2025 – QNP publishes today the special report “Adapting to Climate Change and Resilience: How are Quebec’s Businesses Doing?” which highlights the concerns of Quebec businesses regarding climate phenomena, their impacts, the measures taken to address them, as well as a typical approach for effective adaptation.
For the development of this special report, QNP collaborated with the scientific consortium Ouranos, whose mission is to help Quebec society better adapt to climate change. The data comes from the third edition of the Quebec Business Transition Barometer by QNP, the most comprehensive survey on Québec businesses’ climate actions.
To conduct this important study, QNP commissioned the research firm Léger, which surveyed 806 Québec business leaders between August 13 and August 25, 2024. The sample is representative of Quebec’s economy as a whole, encompassing sectors, business sizes, and regions.
“Companies in Quebec are on the front lines of extreme weather events. More than half have been affected by climatic phenomena over the past year with real consequences: property damage, financial losses, health and safety issues. Yet, their preparedness remains insufficient. It is crucial to act now to strengthen their resilience and ability to face these challenges,” emphasizes Anne-Josée Laquerre, General Director and co-initiator of QNP.
Key Findings :
Direct Climate Impacts on Québec Businesses
- 52% of Québec businesses report having been affected by climate phenomena or their derivatives over the past 12 months, including: heatwaves (21%), extreme precipitation (19%), flooding (18%) and freezing rain (16%)
- Among businesses affected by climate phenomena (or their derivatives) in the past year, the impacts include disruptions in all areas of activity, including:
- • Losses or damage to company property (30%)
- • Revenue losses due to business interruptions (28%)
- • Disruptions related to client or employee health and safety (28%)
Levels of Preparedness for Climate Risks
- While 76% of business leaders express concern about the impact of climate phenomena on their company: 10% report having a structured adaptation plan, 24% are in the process of developing one, 41% have implemented at least one measure to address climate risks
- 60% state that they are confident their company is resilient and prepared to face the potential consequences of climate change, a rising trend (vs. 52% in 2023)
- 26% feel they have sufficient knowledge of “adaptation and resilience to climate change” to explain these concepts in their own words
Possible measures to better manage the impacts of climate change are numerous and vary depending on the context and reality of each company. Identifying simple and targeted measures requires a structured adaptation process.
“Quebec businesses are already feeling the impacts of climate change. Both extreme weather events and less dramatic occurrences are disrupting their operations, highlighting the importance of taking action. With a flexible and accessible approach, businesses can anticipate risks, gradually adapt to the new climate reality, and strengthen their resilience in a constantly changing world,” says Alain Bourque, Executive Director of Ouranos.
For more information :
- To see the special report “Adapting to climate change and resilience: Where Quebec companies stand” : click here
- To download the Quebec Business Transition Barometer 2024: click here
- To find out more about our Sector and Regional Barometers and our training courses contact us
About Québec Net Positif
QNP is an independent nonprofit think tank whose mission is to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon and “net positive” economy. Its mission is to raise awareness, mobilize, and equip businesses—particularly SMEs and those supporting them—to go beyond risk mitigation, seize business opportunities, and unleash their full potential to create positive societal and environmental impacts.
About Ouranos
Drawing from its rigorous scientific knowledge, Ouranos endeavours to assist Quebec society in better adapting to an ever-changing climate. Ouranos exercises the role of a boundary organization with the goal of ensuring strong ties and cohesion between the scientific community and adaptation stakeholders. Through a shared leadership approach, Ouranos promotes a research environment that offers room for growth and opportunities and where each player tackles the issues and actively contributes to their solutions.
www.ouranos.ca/en