News Release
June 23, 2022
National Capital Region — Over the past five years, the National Capital Commission’s (NCC) assets have experienced floods, tornadoes and, most recently, a derecho. Extreme weather events impact every aspect of the day-to-day life of Canadians, and it is no different for the NCC. The corporation has undertaken a climate vulnerability and risk assessment to identify how climate change will continue to impact its assets, operations and programs, as well as how it can mitigate the effects of climate change.
The report identified 124 potential climate-related risks that the NCC needs to target to improve its resilience to climate change. These risks include hotter and more humid summers; short duration/high intensity and sustained precipitation events; and extreme events like ice storms, freezing rain and so on. In total, 49 percent of the risks require immediate action, 31 percent need a plan to address the risk, and 20 percent need minor controls.
These findings will guide the development of an adaptation strategy and propose actions to increase the NCC’s climate resilience. The strategy will integrate adaptation measures into the NCC’s long-term planning; as well as its maintenance and management of natural and built assets; infrastructure rehabilitation; design, construction and renovation; and recreational activities.
The strategy will also identify opportunities for collaboration with the City of Ottawa and Ville de Gatineau on shared risks to increase climate resilience in the National Capital Region. The strategy is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
Ongoing Initiatives
The NCC has already taken steps to integrate climate adaptation in planning and operations, by undertaking the following:
- implementing new pathway construction standards to increase resilience in the face of future extreme weather events
- restoring shorelines in Gatineau Park and along the Ottawa River
- maintaining and increasing the tree canopy to help manage extreme heat, as part of the NCC’s Forest Strategy
- reducing gas emissions, including new zero-carbon buildings, as part of the NCC’s Sustainable Development Strategy
- adapting Rideau Canal Skateway operations to the impacts of climate change
Visit the web pages listed below to read the full report and explore the NCC’s climate change adaptation initiative.
Next steps
- Fall 2022 to Spring 2023: Development of the 10-year Climate Adaption Strategy
- Summer 2023: Public engagement on the draft strategy
- Fall 2023: Completion of the Strategy
The draft strategy will include an implementation plan that identifies responsibilities, resource requirements and timelines.
LINKS
The NCC Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment Report
The NCC’s Climate Change Adaptation Initiative
The NCC’s Sustainable Development Strategy, 2018–2023