Committee approves Climate Ready Ottawa strategy to address top climate risks

The Environment and Climate Change Committee today approved Climate Ready Ottawa: a new strategy to help prepare Ottawa for the growing impacts of climate change.

Ottawa is already experiencing climate impacts. Projections show climate change will intensify, with more extreme heat events, heavier rainfall and severe weather in the years ahead. The long-term strategy includes a five-year action plan (2026-2030) focused on protecting people, infrastructure and essential services from the biggest climate risks, such as flooding, extreme heat, changing seasons and severe weather.

Seven priority programs will guide investments in flood and infrastructure resilience, cooling amenities, extreme weather preparedness and environmental protection. The strategy also focuses on helping residents who face the greatest risks and barriers to recovery, while working with local groups to create real, visible improvements that will ensure Ottawa is better prepared for climate change.

Climate Ready Ottawa is supported by a focused and results-driven financial plan. The strategy identifies $25 million in funding needs over five years. These funds will support high-impact projects like cooling strategies, extreme weather preparedness, and risk assessments and mitigation plans for critical infrastructure. An additional $149.5 million in confirmed, rate-supported investments will upgrade water infrastructure to safeguard critical services and build flood resilience. By taking a proactive approach focused on the highest risks, the strategy will protect the City’s most critical services, support vulnerable populations and reduce long-term costs.

For more information, read the background article.

The Committee received the 2025 annual update on the City’s Solid Waste Master Plan, which outlines progress made in the first year of implementation, including the three-item garbage limit and the Multi-residential Waste Diversion Strategy. The committee also approved extending the Agriculture Exemption Program until 2027.

Commitment to the goals of the master plan has been supported by extensive community engagement on waste reduction and reuse initiatives, as well as through the creation and support of reuse events and repair cafés and the launch of a Food Waste Reduction Strategy. The City has also made good progress involving multi-residential properties in the Green Bin Program, with more than 340 properties added since October 2024. Together, these efforts are helping reduce waste and extend the life of the City’s landfill.

Next steps in 2026 include a citywide Green Bin education campaign, new bulky item diversion programs, and pilot events for collecting small amounts of hazardous waste. Planning is also underway for long-term waste technologies, including waste-to-energy and landfill options, with feasibility studies and business cases in development.

City Council will consider the recommendations from today’s meeting on Wednesday, November 12.

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