Institutional Barriers to Climate Change Adaptation for Mountain Guides in the Canadian Rockies

Two-thirds of mountain guides in the Canadian Rockies report that recent revisions to Parks Canada's National Park Guided Business Licence (NPGBL) program have unintentionally reduced their adaptability while increasing administrative burdens, undermining the efficacy and equity of climate change adaptation efforts. The study, which combined semistructured interviews with 30 guides, policy analysis, and key informant interviews with seven stakeholders, identified that the revised regulatory framework and implementation mechanisms hinder adaptive capacity. Findings suggest that fostering horizontal and vertical social capital—integrating local knowledge holders like mountain guides into decision-making processes—could mitigate these institutional barriers. This research provides actionable insights for land managers and guiding organizations globally, where guiding professions face dual pressures from climatic and institutional changes.

Hanly, K., & McDowell, G. (2025). Institutional Barriers to Climate Change Adaptation for Mountain Guides in the Canadian Rockies. Mountain Research and Development, 46(1). https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd.2025.00015