Press releases
Half of Quebec companies already affected, but few are proactively preparing for it
Press release issued on 2026-02-23
QNP (Québec Net Positif), in collaboration with the Ouranos scientific consortium, today publishes the special issue Adaptation and resilience of Québec businesses: key data, levers for action and case studies,which presents a portrait of the concerns of Québec executives in the face of climate phenomena, their impact on businesses, the measures taken to deal with them, and three case studies of businesses that have implemented adaptation measures. In addition, 16 recommendations have been identified to accelerate the implementation of measures and increase the resilience of businesses and the economy.
The key data in this special issue are taken from the4th edition of QNP’s Quebec Business Transition Barometer, the most comprehensive survey of climate action by Quebec companies. To carry out this important study, QNP commissioned the research firm Léger, which surveyed 819 Quebec business leaders between July 28 and August 14, 2026. The sample is representative of the Quebec economy as a whole, including the diversity of sectors, company sizes and regions.
A reactive approach to weather hazards
- 51% of Quebec companies have been affected by at least one climatic phenomenon (or its derivatives) over the past 12 months.
- 72% of Quebec executives say they are concerned about the potential impact of climate change on their business
Both :
- 8% have drawn up a list of climate threats to their operations and
5% have drawn up such a list of climate threats to their supply chains - 8% say they have an adaptation plan, and 24% say they are in the process of drawing one up.
This gap confirms that, for the majority of companies, climate adaptation is still approached in a reactive rather than proactive way, or integrated into operations, strategic planning and governance.
Concrete impacts, uneven preparation
The study reveals that 40% of companies have implemented at least one adaptation action. However, these adaptation actions remain largely ad hoc and unstructured. The data show that companies already affected or concerned are significantly more likely to take action:
- 60% of companies affected have implemented at least one adaptation measure,
compared with 19% of those not affected. - 50% of companies whose managers are concerned about climate change have taken action, compared with 12% of those whose managers say they are “not concerned”.
An economic transformation to be structured
The impacts suffered and the action taken by companies vary according to their size, sector of activity and the markets in which they operate. For example, exporting companies report being more affected by climatic phenomena (or their derivatives) than companies focused on local markets. These impacts are reflected in a more advanced and better-structured adaptation response.
The special issue also draws on three case studies from Quebec companies: Écolopharm, Hydro-Québec and Maison Orphée, which demonstrate that adaptation can be integrated into business models in a progressive, realistic and profitable way.
It proposes concrete recommendations for accelerating adaptation by Quebec companies, based on a concerted approach across the entire business ecosystem. These include improving access to forward-looking climate data, integrating adaptation into planning and investment decisions, and better trade-offs between costs and benefits.
The proposed levers are tailored to the different company profiles and key players in the ecosystem – municipalities and MRCs, industry groups, financial institutions, general management and boards of directors – to strengthen resilience, business continuity and long-term competitiveness.
QUOTES
“Climate impacts are no longer abstract: over the past year, 51% of Quebec companies have been affected by at least one climatic phenomenon, with human, operational and financial consequences. The challenge now is to move from reactive adaptation to proactive adaptation, integrated into governance and business decisions. This shift is crucial if we are to anticipate – rather than suffer – predictable, costly and avoidable disruptions”, stresses Anne-Josée Laquerre, General Manager and co-initiator of QNP.
“As the impacts of climate change on the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are increasingly felt on business conditions, there is a growing interest in reducing the magnitude of climate impacts, i.e. adapting to climate change. The aim of this special issue is to provide managers with concrete ways of integrating scientific data and risk management strategies to adapt to changing weather and climate conditions. With a better understanding of risks and opportunities, managers can guide their strategic decisions, strengthen the resilience of their organizations to weather events, and ensure their performance in a changing climate. With this in mind, Ouranos puts science at the service of action. Alain Bourque, General Manager, Ouranos
Learn More
- Download the special issue (February 25, 2026) : Climate change adaptation and resilience 2025 | QNP
- Webinar, unveiling highlights and other Ouranos initiatives: February 25, 10 a.m. noon, register here
- Download the Quebec Business Transition Barometer 2025