At the 2008 Northern Development Ministers Forum, senior officials were directed to form a working group to explore the impacts of climate change on northern communities and economies in general, and more specifically on boreal forest management practices. This briefing paper is a synthesis of information collected from NDMF jurisdictions by the working group, to prepare Ministers for discussion and engagement and to recommend further action. Many related issues are not covered in this paper, e.g., the release of metals under changing temperature conditions, the need for more transition planning for communities that might be highly affected, etc. Such issues may be very significant, but our goal is to focus on climate change and the boreal forest.