Cross-cutting actions to build a Climate Ready Ottawa

Preparing for climate change requires a shift in how we design and build our city and deliver services. It’s a long-term goal that will need to be incorporated into all the City’s planning and decision making. Continuing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is also important to reduce the severity of future climate risks.

The City cannot meet its climate goals alone. Creating a Climate Ready Ottawa will require collaboration with other levels of government, institutions, businesses and community organizations. It will also require a commitment to incorporate health and equity into the design and implementation of programs to ensure those most impacted by climate change are supported.

Key actions proposed to build a climate resilient Ottawa

• Adopt a distributed leadership model and build capacity across all City departments to implement Climate Ready Ottawa
• Continue to work with community partners and other levels of government to share learning and identify opportunities for joint action. Share information and data on climate preparedness and risk reduction publicly.
• Advocate for increased action by other levels of government for policies, programs and funding that mitigate the risks of future climate conditions and support both City and community action.
• Continue to embed climate preparedness in key City plans, policies and procurement. Integrate climate risk mitigation into core plans such as Master Plans, Asset Management Plans and Long Range Financial Plans. Continue to track and report on planned investments in climate resiliency, climate risks and mitigation strategies.
• Continue to advocate for and invest in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to reduce the severity of climate impacts.
• Develop a funding strategy that considers both short and long-term needs. Identify the costs and benefits of proactive investment in resilient infrastructure over the coming decades and explore ways to leverage funding and partnerships.

Find out more and have your say

• Cross-cutting actions to create a climate resilient Ottawa full paper
• Take the survey on Climate Ready Ottawa