Environment and Climate Change Committee

Mandate

The Environment and Climate Change Committee is responsible for providing guidance and direction on all issues relating to environmental services, sustainability, greenhouse gas emissions, climate resiliency and adaptation, solid waste management, utilities/water and wastewater, water and stormwater management, water pollution control, urban forestry, and green spaces.

Membership

Membership of the Environment and Climate Change Committee shall consist of Members of Council, as appointed by Council.  The Mayor is an ex-officio member.

General responsibilities

The Environment and Climate Change Committee shall:

1. Be responsible directly to Council for those items emanating from:
   1. Applicable services and branches within the Infrastructure and Water Services Department pertaining to all matters that fall within the mandate of this Committee including Water Linear and Customer Services,  Water Facilities and Treatment Services, Infrastructure Services, Asset Management Services and Business and Technical Support Services;
   2. Applicable services and branches within the Public Works Department pertaining to all matters that fall within the mandate of this Committee, including Solid Waste Services, and Forestry Operations and Management;
   3. Applicable services and branches of the Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department on items related to Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change and Resiliency, Urban Forestry, and Natural Systems;
   4. Other City Departments and Services on matters that fall within the mandate of this Committee;
   5. Any Advisory Committees or Sub-committees that are within the area of responsibility of the Environment and Climate Change Committee; and
   6. Local boards, agencies and corporations that are created by, and report to, this Committee.
2. Ensure coordination and consultation with other Standing Committees and departments where responsibilities overlap on issues of environmental protection and on issues relevant to the mandate of more than one Committee.
3. Consider, for recommendation to Council, subject to the budgetary powers and duties assigned to the head of Council under the Municipal Act, 2001 and associated regulations and any Council-approved budget process:
   1. The rate-supported operating and capital budget; and
   2. The tax-supported operating and capital budget pertaining to items within the Committee mandate; and
4. Make recommendations to Council related to long term planning of capital programs within the Committee’s mandate.
5. Monitor the activities and the implementation of environmental programs and projects of the relevant services and branches of the Infrastructure and Water Services, Public Works, and Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department.

6. Consult with the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee on issues having an effect on the City’s rural residents and businesses or relating to items of interest for the agricultural and associated industries.
7. Receive reports from staff regarding the exercise of delegated authority (By-law 2023-2) on items within the Committee’s mandate.
8. Review and recommend to Council revisions to the Environment and Climate Change Committee Terms of Reference, as required.
9. Address all matters related to, and arising from, Advisory Committees or Sub-Committees under the Standing Committee’s responsibility and that are in line with the established Committee and Council Strategic Plans.
10. Have the delegated authority to decide matters that are consistent with the application of federal and/or provincial statutes and/or regulations that are within the mandate of the committee.
11. Recommend to Council, the City of Ottawa’s participation in federal or provincial cost-sharing programs or grant proposals for matters within the mandate of the Committee, subject to the Delegation of Authority By-law.
12. Monitor federal and provincial legislation with a distinct impact on environmental issues.
13. Recommend to Council proposed by-laws that are under the Committee’s jurisdiction.
14. Pursuant with the Delegation of Authority By-law (Section 10 – Conferences and Conventions), approve Councillors travel and attendance at conferences that are related to the Committee’s mandate.

Specific responsibilities

The Environment and Climate Change Committee shall:

Environment

1. Be responsible for overseeing the administration and maintenance of green space and urban forestry within the urban boundary.
2. Monitor the application of any tree by-laws within the urban boundary enacted under the Municipal Act, 2001 and other relevant legislation.
3. Make recommendations to Council on environmental initiatives, such as waste management, water quality, climate change, natural systems, green space, urban forest, etc.
4. Review and make recommendations to Council on energy conservation strategies and renewable energy initiatives.
5. Review and make recommendations to Council and other Standing Committees where applicable on initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve air quality such as building retrofits, energy management, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and sustainable modes of transportation. Review and make recommendations to Council on initiatives to build climate resiliency and reduce climate vulnerabilities and risks.
6. Monitor and oversee the administration of the community environmental grants programs and initiatives.
7. Review and make recommendations to Council with regards to environmental initiatives proposed by the federal and provincial governments.
8. Be responsible for energy-related issues including conservation and generation, such as landfill gas generation and district energy, and provide guidance to the applicable departments on same.
9. Review and make recommendations to Council with respect to pollinating species such as bees and butterflies.

Sustainability

10. Provide overall guidance and direction in areas of:
    1. Environmental, economic and social sustainability; and
    2. Preserving/promoting biodiversity, including but not limited to protecting/coexisting with urban wildlife, particularly with respect to matters that are not specifically within the mandates of other Standing Committees, and in conjunction with related Council-approved strategies, protocols, and initiatives such as the Wildlife Strategy.

Water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste management

11. Oversee and make recommendations to Council on all water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste matters.
12. Provide overall guidance and direction in areas of water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste management (i.e. waste/organics/recycling) and disposal.
13. Review and confirm staff comments and recommendations on initiatives as proposed by the federal and provincial governments on matters that are within the committee’s mandate and are consistent with Council-approved policy direction.
14. Review and make recommendations to Council regarding operational programs for the maintenance of existing water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste infrastructure.
15. Review and make recommendations to Council on future service level adjustments to the existing solid waste, water, wastewater, stormwater infrastructure, in accordance with Council-approved policies.
16. Recommend to Council and oversee the implementation of the goals and policies outlined in the Solid Waste Master Plan.
17. Review and provide comments on Certificates of Approval for waste facilities circulated by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
18. Provide overall guidance and direction in areas of environmental protection, including water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste management and disposal.
19. Respond to federal and provincial environmental initiatives affecting municipal operations and surface water quality.

Approved by City Council on March 8, 2023

Meeting agendas, minutes and videos for City Council, its committees and select local boards can be accessed through the City’s agendas and minutes web portal. 

See using the City’s Agendas and minutes web portal for more information.

The following is available through the portal:

• Meeting schedules
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• Minutes
• Meeting documentation
• Live streams
• Meeting recordings for meetings held on or after June 27, 2022

Live meeting streams and archived meeting videos continue to be available on the Ottawa City Council YouTube Channel. More information is available in the Watch or listen to Council and committee meetings article.

Meeting documentation from January 2001 to June 2012 can be accessed through the legacy agendas and minutes application.

If at any time you are unable to find a document or access the links above, please send an email to Committees@ottawa.ca.