At Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), climate change isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a critical priority that’s deeply embedded in the work completed. From protecting natural resources to preparing communities for a changing environment, NPCA is taking meaningful steps to address both the impacts of climate change and the ways to reduce contribution.
In 2019, NPCA declared a climate emergency, acknowledging the urgent need for action. This declaration wasn’t just symbolic — it laid the foundation for deep and lasting integration of climate goals into NPCA operations.
By 2021, climate change became a key pillar of the Strategic Plan (2021–2031). It now influences every one of the six strategic priorities and is embedded in core guiding documents like the Conservation Area Strategy and Watershed-Based Natural Resource Management Strategy.
As a conservation authority, NPCA plays a unique and essential role in both climate change mitigation (reducing carbon emissions) and adaptation (preparing for and reducing climate impacts). Our work directly supports climate resilience through:
- Watershed-based natural resource management – Helps build climate resilience by managing water and land resources holistically to reduce erosion, control runoff, and protect water quality across the watershed.
- Water monitoring, flood forecasting, and floodplain mapping – Provides critical data and tools to anticipate and respond to extreme weather events, reducing the risks to people, property, and infrastructure.
- Ecosystem restoration and stewardship – Enhances the ability of natural systems to respond to climate impacts including flooding and erosion. Protecting and restoring natural systems improves biodiversity, provides clean air and water, and benefits people and animals.
- Land securement to protect natural areas – Safeguards ecologically valuable lands that buffer communities from climate effects such as flooding, drought, and extreme heat.
- Public education and community engagement – Builds local capacity and awareness to adapt to climate change, encouraging informed stewardship and action at the community level.
To bring together and accelerate efforts, NPCA is finalizing a Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) with a framework approved by the NPCA Board of Directors in 2022. This plan builds on our strategic goals and provides a focused roadmap for climate initiatives moving forward. When completed, the full plan will guide implementation, measurement, and reporting.
A critical first step in NPCA’s climate action journey was to understand and quantify its contribution to carbon emissions.
Decarbonization Roadmap to Achieve Climate Change Commitments
In 2024, NPCA initiated a project with Enviro-Stewards Inc. to assess its baseline greenhouse gas emissions and identify actions that would reduce major emission sources from NPCA operations. This project is a major milestone in NPCA’s climate journey and included the following:
- Assessment of energy use, water consumption, and waste generation across six key NPCA managed properties with buildings and staff presence. Sites identified as primary sources of operational emissions, including the main office and major conservation areas.
- Quantification of emissions from various operational sources including fleet vehicles and land care equipment.
- Establishment of a baseline of 270 CO₂e emissions in 2023 and reduction target.
NPCA continues the journey. Through its CCAP, NPCA will set an ambitious target: a 75 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to mitigate its impact on climate change.
The decarbonization roadmap outlines recommended actions to achieve climate change commitments such as:
- Reduce heating during non-occupancy.
- Switch to LED lights.
- Transitioning cleaner fuel sources (ex. propane to electricity)
More Climate Action in Motion
A few of the ongoing initiatives helping NPCA build a more resilient and sustainable Niagara Peninsula watershed:
- Staff engagement workshops and sustainability surveys to shape internal actions.
- A natural asset analysis and assessment which includes an estimate of how much carbon local landscapes store and absorb.
- Co-leading the Niagara Climate Change Action Network.
- Launching the Lake Ontario Coastal Resilience Pilot Project.
- Enhancing watershed restoration and the Trees for All program.
- Developing an Invasive Species Strategy to protect native ecosystems.
- Growing the land securement program to increase and preserve greenspace.
- Ongoing community outreach and education.
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time and one of the biggest opportunities to come together and protect what matters. NPCA is proud to be doing its part and committed to working with partners, communities, and nature itself to build a stronger, more resilient future.
Read the summary report today.
Media inquiries can be directed to:
Jennifer McQuillan, Communications & Marketing Specialist
Mobile: 905-933-0532
jmcquillan@npca.ca
A media backgrounder is available, please inquire.