Climate Resiliency Strategy

Ottawa’s climate is changing. Overall Ottawa will become much warmer and wetter over the coming decades, with more extreme heat days, heavy rain and extreme weather events like severe winds, floods or winter storms. The City is developing a Climate Resiliency Strategy to guide how Ottawa can prepare for and respond to the anticipated impacts of changing climate conditions.
The Climate Resiliency Strategy is one of eight priorities of the Climate Change Master Plan.
Taking action on climate change requires reducing greenhouse gas emissions while also ensuring Ottawa is prepared for the impacts of a changing climate. Energy Evolution is the City’s strategy to reach zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Climate Resiliency Strategy focuses on getting Ottawa ready for a changing climate. Learn more about Energy Evolution and what you can do to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.
What will Ottawa’s climate look like in the future and what are the risks?
Overall Ottawa will become much warmer over the coming decades, with more heavy rain and more extreme weather events. Find out more about how we expect Ottawa’s climate to change and the impacts this will have:
Get involved and have your say
To develop a strategy that values the perspectives and unique circumstances residents of Ottawa have, we need your input. You can get involved in the following ways:
- Share your ideas for how we can all prepare for the impacts of climate change
- Host your own climate conversation. Email us at climatechange@ottawa.ca to get resources to support you.
Subscribe to the climate change e-newsletter to receive updates on the Climate Resiliency Strategy and other climate change initiatives.
Ottawa’s climate is changing. Overall Ottawa will become much warmer and wetter over the coming decades, with more extreme heat days, heavy rain and extreme weather events like severe winds, floods or winter storms. The City is developing a Climate Resiliency Strategy to guide how Ottawa can prepare for and respond to the anticipated impacts of changing climate conditions.
The Climate Resiliency Strategy is one of eight priorities of the Climate Change Master Plan.
Taking action on climate change requires reducing greenhouse gas emissions while also ensuring Ottawa is prepared for the impacts of a changing climate. Energy Evolution is the City’s strategy to reach zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Climate Resiliency Strategy focuses on getting Ottawa ready for a changing climate. Learn more about Energy Evolution and what you can do to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.
What will Ottawa’s climate look like in the future and what are the risks?
Overall Ottawa will become much warmer over the coming decades, with more heavy rain and more extreme weather events. Find out more about how we expect Ottawa’s climate to change and the impacts this will have:
Get involved and have your say
To develop a strategy that values the perspectives and unique circumstances residents of Ottawa have, we need your input. You can get involved in the following ways:
- Share your ideas for how we can all prepare for the impacts of climate change
- Host your own climate conversation. Email us at climatechange@ottawa.ca to get resources to support you.
Subscribe to the climate change e-newsletter to receive updates on the Climate Resiliency Strategy and other climate change initiatives.
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The average temperatures of all seasons in Ottawa are increasing. This means the seasonal conditions we have become familiar with are already looking different due to climate change. Shorter winters and longer summers might be perceived as a good thing, but this can have detrimental impacts on human health, our natural environment, City infrastructure, and recreational and tourism activities. Seasonal variability can stress trees and other natural and agricultural areas and create better conditions for invasive species and insects that carry diseases like Lyme disease and West Nile virus. More icy winter conditions can affect our ability to move around the City – whether on foot, by transit, or by cars - and warmer winters impact recreation and tourism like skating on the Rideau Canal. The City’s Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment looks in detail at the way Ottawa is currently and will be impacted by these changes in climate conditions.
Learn more about what to expect in the future Ottawa in 2050: Changing Seasons, what the City is already doing to adapt to climate change, and what you can do to prepare.
Preparing for changing seasons will require everyone to take action to protect ourselves and our environment.
What are some other ways we as a City and you as an individual, business, or community can build our resilience to changing seasons?
Note if you want to share links to resources in your idea posts, add them as a comment to your post to avoid it being marked as spam.
We will remove any posts that are rude, disrespectful or share disinformation about the reality of climate change.
Add your idea
Mike S5 months agoPromote / enable community connection to enable community support including helping vulnerable individuals during emergencies.
0 comment0Mike S5 months agoAssess existing emergency response capacity to respond to extreme weather events and increase capacity as needed
0 comment0Mary O5 days agoIntegrate more information on softscaping approaches that limit storm runoff into city requirements for driveways and exterior landscaping
0 comment0Mike S5 months agoEnsure cooling centres are accessible and people are aware of them for heatwaves
0 comment0Climate Resiliency Team6 months agoIncrease awareness about the risks of tick diseases and West Nile Virus through community outreach
0 comment1 -
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Ottawa’s climate is already getting warmer. The number of days above 30 degrees Celsius is expected to increase by four times to 43 days per year by the 2050s. More summer heat might be perceived as a good thing, but prolonged periods of extreme heat, drought, and humidity can be dangerous. Extreme heat can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and even death, especially for children, older adults, people experiencing homelessness, people who work and exercise outdoors, those with existing health conditions, and those without good access to air conditioning. Warmer temperatures also affect how we spend time outside and increase the risks of droughts and forest fires. The City’s Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment looks in detail at the way Ottawa is currently and will be impacted by these changes. Learn more about what to expect in the future Ottawa in 2050: Temperature, what the City is already doing to adapt to climate change, and what you can do to prepare
Preparing for increased heat will require everyone to take action to protect ourselves and our environment.
What are some other ways we as a City and you as an individual, business, or community can build our resilience to extreme heat?
Note if you want to share links to resources in your idea posts, add them as a comment to your post to avoid it being marked as spam.
We will remove any posts that are rude, disrespectful or share disinformation about the reality of climate change.
Add your idea
Environmentalist3 months agoHave buses stop idling at beginning or end of bus routes. Other transit systems do it, why not us?
Have buses stop idling at beginning or end of bus routes. Other transit systems do it, why not us? The excuse that Ottawa has a cold climate does not stand ground, Montreal has this policy.
0 comment1fooodini4 months agoMandate organic composting!
I currently live in a high density building (condo). But there is no provision for separating organics from garbage - because it isn't mandatory! Mandate collecting and composting organic waste for high and medium density housing (or even at an area level) - so we can use this compost rather than dump it in garbage!
0 comment2Cami3 months agoTrees! We need many, many more trees… Downtown is a concrete jungle with no shade anywhere - it’s unbearable to walk there!
Trees
0 comment4Seasong4 months agoInstead of spending $55M on road growth projects, divest funds to green programs like bike lanes and the Energy Evolution program.
0 comment5Kram5 months agoEncourage ground source heat pumps as the new standard for heating and cooling in new home construction.
Ground source heat pumps take advantage of stable earth temperatures that are about 4 degrees throughout the year. Geothermal heating offers efficient heating and cooling, but installing systems retroactively is prohibitively expensive because of the need to excavate. If geothermal heat exchange coils were installed by developers during the excavation phase of new home construction, then these systems would become more affordable. Geothermal cooling would consume far less energy than conventional air conditioners or air-source heat pumps, becoming more important as average temperatures continue to increase.
0 comment10 -
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Ottawa’s weather is becoming more variable and unpredictable – with extreme heat, severe winds, flooding and freezing rain projected to increase in both severity and frequency. Events like the Ontario-Quebec derecho in May 2022, tornadoes in 2018 and 2019, and flooding of the Ottawa River in spring 2017 and 2019 show us that Ottawa is already experiencing extreme weather. Extreme weather damages property and infrastructure, threatens health and safety, and reduces access to essential services like safe transportation, electricity, and health and social services to name a few. Extreme weather affects everyone, but some populations are less able to prepare for and respond to these events. The City’s Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment looks in detail at the way Ottawa is currently and will be impacted by these changes in our climate conditions. Learn more about what to expect in the future at Ottawa in 2050: Extreme weather events, what the City is already doing to adapt to climate change, and what you can do to prepare.
Preparing for more extreme weather will require everyone to take action to protect ourselves and our environment.
What are some other ways we as a City and you as an individual, business, or community can build our resilience to extreme weather events?
Note if you want to share links to resources in your idea posts, add them as a comment to your post to avoid it being marked as spam.
We will remove any posts that are rude, disrespectful or share disinformation about the reality of climate change.
Add your idea
BYL5 days agoUse climbing vines to provide shade if there is no room for trees
For narrow sidewalks or other areas where there is no room to plant trees, we should install frames to support native vines that can provide shade and other modest mitigating effects.
1 comment3ebider5 months agoIncorporate Neighbourwoods teams into Forestry Planning
A number of neighbourwoods groups already exist in Ottawa, who assess trees in their neighbourhoods for damage, species and conflicts with overhead wires, street signs and other trees. Many communities want to get involved in this type of initiative! The city needs to embrace this, fund it more broadly and incorporate it into the process of identifying plantable spaces, species diversity in planting, pruning and coordination with Hydro Ottawa etc.
0 comment6ebider5 months agoStop delaying New Green Building standard
In order to be best prepared for extreme weather events, our buildings need to follow forward thinking standards, that are in line with projections for hotter summers. Ottawa could be a leader, and set up an incubator for contractors and developers to discuss how to go beyond the standard too--normalize including hook ups for EVs, installing heat pumps, learn about passive house model designs--all of which will ensure climate resiliency down the road.
0 comment8Colin Pritchard5 months agoPlant more native trees and bushes (male & female)
0 comment8mdesatabout 1 month agoPrepare for extreme heat events
Summer heat waves can be deadly. Water parks and splash pads can help people keep cool, but air conditioned places (with shuttles or other ways to bring people in) need to be ready to open, and some of our most vulnerable (such as the elderly or housebound or medically at risk) may need targetted programs to get them air conditioning at their homes. Residences should have a maximum temperature or a requirement to provide cooling
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More rainy days and heavy rain events: What can you, your community, and/or your City do?
6 months agoClick on “Add your idea” below to share your ideas with us!
Ottawa is expected to get more rain, especially in spring, fall and winter. More rain in the spring can cause water levels in rivers and creeks to rise, especially if the spring melt happens quickly, impacting property and infrastructure near watercourses. More intense rainstorms can overwhelm sewer systems and flood streets, parks, and basements. Flooding damages properties and infrastructure impacts safety and transportation and affects agricultural harvests. The City’s Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment looks in detail at the way Ottawa is currently and will be impacted by these changes in our climate conditions. Learn more about what to expect in the future at Ottawa 2050: More rainy days and heavy rain events, what the City is already doing to adapt to climate change, and what you can do to prepare.
What are some other ways we as a City and you as an individual, business, or community can build our resilience to more rainy days and heavy rain events?
Note if you want to share links to resources in your idea posts, add them as a comment to your post to avoid it being marked as spam.
We will remove any posts that are rude, disrespectful or share disinformation about the reality of climate change.
Add your idea
Stittsvillerickabout 1 month agoStorm sewer rapid response line & team
311 could add an option for quick reporting of blocked drains & storm sewers, & have employees equipped &ready to roll do investigate & clear blockages before they lead to flooding & property damage.
0 comment0Environnementabout 2 months agoPlan directeur sur les changements climatiques
Accélérer la mise en œuvre du Plan directeur sur les changements climatiques, et veiller à ce qu’il soit entièrement financé dans le budget de 2024 par le biais d’un plan financier à long terme.
0 comment1NJTPrivateabout 2 months agoRevisit existing Storm Water Management Assumptions and Existing Storm Water systems
My current understanding is the City of Ottawa is using rain "event" criteria (1:10, 1:50 and 1:100 year storms) using almost decade-old standards. These must be brought up to date, and include projections for the next XX years, particularly for any new or upgraded stormwater management areas. A case of "pay me now" to revise/re-evaluate) or "pay me later" (when stormwater management systems fail) Case in point. The Kanata Beaver Pond is a central component in the SWM for Kanata North; that issues with the drainage of KNL lands into the Pond from an SWM perspective are still unresolved, more than a decade after being approved for development. Question: would a forward-looking 2023+ assessment still give a green light to KNL development?
0 comment2Crickyabout 2 months agoI think we should ban fireworks, I think we need a better recycling programme and more native plants and grasses
0 comment2Louis Boutetabout 2 months agoDon't build near the river
Either build as far back as you can or on high ground
0 comment0
Who's Listening
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Email climatechange@ottawa.ca
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Quick Links
Project Timeline
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Phase 1: Climate Projections
Climate Resiliency Strategy has finished this stageCompleted in 2020
To better understand how Ottawa’s climate will change, the City, in partnership with the National Capital Commission and Environment and Climate Change Canada, worked with climate scientists to develop detailed projections for the National Capital Region until 2100.
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Phase 2: Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment
Climate Resiliency Strategy has finished this stageCompleted in 2022
The City undertook a Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment to identify the top climate risks facing Ottawa. Forty priority risks were identified that require action in the next one to three years. These include risks related to higher temperatures and more precipitation, as well as extreme weather like flooding, severe winds and freezing rain.
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Phase 3: Developing the Climate Resiliency Strategy
Climate Resiliency Strategy is currently at this stagePlanned completion 2024
The Climate Resiliency Strategy is currently being developed. It will identify a series of actions that minimize Ottawa’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change and strengthen our ability to respond and recover from climactic events when they occur.
Key Documents
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Climate Change Vulnerability and Risk Assessment
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Climate Projections
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Climate Projections for the National Capital Region - Executive Summary
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Climate Projections for the National Capital Region Report, Volume 1: Results and Interpretation for Key Climate Indices (8.49 MB) (pdf)
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Climate Projections for the National Capital Region Report, Volume 2: Plots and Tabular Data for All the Climate Indices (126 MB) (pdf)
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Infographics
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What We Heard Report - CVRA Public Engagement (810 KB) (pdf)
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Urban Heat Island Map showing temperature differences for Ottawa (1.64 MB) (pdf)
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Urban Heat Island Map showing temperature differences within Ottawa’s Greenbelt (2.78 MB) (pdf)
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Creating a Climate Resilient Ottawa - April 4.pdf (7.49 MB) (pdf)