Sustainable Development Strategy

As the largest landowner in the National Capital Region, the NCC is leading the way in fostering sustainability and climate resiliency in its operations.

The Sustainable Development Strategy is our roadmap and promise to present and future generations. We renew it every three years, to track progress on our goals. This strategy is fully aligned with the targets of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

On November 2, 2023, we launched a new cycle for our Sustainable Development Strategy. The 2023–2027 Sustainable Development Strategy includes 28 actions under the following themes:

Sustainable Communities

• regional food production
• reconciliation with Indigenous peoples
• sustainable and active transportation
• access to urban green spaces
• affordable housing

Responsible Consumption

• green procurement
• waste management
• clean electricity
• site remediation

Climate Action

• adapting to climate change
• mitigating the impacts of climate change

Natural Capital

• nature and wildlife conservation

Here are highlights of our accomplishments:

Sustainable Communities

• Opening of a new, universally accessible bridge connecting Kìwekì Point to Major’s Hill Park.
• Addition of a winter shuttle connecting the Gatineau and Ottawa downtowns to Gatineau Park.
• Creation of a new and optimized mapping tool to improve trail accessibility for 11 km of trails in the Greenbelt and Gatineau Park.

Responsible Consumption

• Development of an excess soil management site to store and reuse this material.
• Use of low-carbon concrete for phase 1 of the Lady Grey Drive retaining wall repair project.

Climate Action

• 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2005.
• Progress made for more than 50% of the short-term actions in the Climate Adaptation Plan.
• First climate-related disclosure in alignment with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures recommendations.

Natural Capital

• Progress and innovation in increasing the number of trees.
• Over 20,000 m² of land treated against invasive species.
• Acquisition of 17 ha of land in the Chelsea Creek ecological corridor, strengthening the connection between Gatineau Park and the Gatineau River.
• Replacement of light fixtures along the Rideau Canal with LED streetlights that meet best practices for preserving natural darkness.

The previous cycle of the Sustainable Development Strategy ended in November 2023. Here are some of the highlights achieved from 2018 to 2023:

• Published key documents, including:
  • Climate Projections for the National Capital Region (2020)
  • Climate Change Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (2022)
  • NCC Tree Canopy Study (2019)
  • Forest Strategy (2021)
  • Bird Safe Design Guidelines (2021).

• Over 400 citizen science volunteers.
• Completed more than 25 projects under the Natural Resources Action Plan.
• 100% of new vehicles purchased were zero-emission or hybrid vehicles.
• Banned the use of gas-powered hand tools on NCC urban lands.
• Planted more than 25,000 trees between 2014 and 2023.

The government of Canada sets out its sustainable development priorities in The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. The Federal Strategy indicates the actions needed to support the 17 sustainable development objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The NCC’s Strategy adapts the principles and objectives of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy and the federal Greening Government Strategy to the NCC’s activities and areas of expertise.

Sustainability is a shared responsibility. Share your ideas and comments with us!