About – Environment and Climate Change Canada
About Environment and Climate Change Canada
Environmental issues have wide ranging implications for social, economic and health decisions for Canadians. The protection and conservation of the environment require the commitments of not only Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) but also all of its partners throughout the federal government and provinces, territories, Indigenous peoples, stakeholders and Canadians. It is for these reasons that ECCC emphasizes partnerships. Ensuring effective engagement helps to advance policies, regulations and services, and provides for a coordinated approach to achieve results that are representative of all interests. ECCC is also relied upon to provide science-based environmental information and services so that Canadians may make informed decisions relating to their health and safety.
There are few major environmental issues for which Canada can find causes or solutions solely within its borders. For this reason, ECCC must engage not only at home but also work with international partners to develop effective solutions to global environmental challenges. The Department seeks to be flexible in order to respond to these challenges and changing circumstances.
Programs and Services
We are the lead federal department for a wide range of environmental issues, including taking action on clean growth and climate change. We are also engaged in activities aimed at:
- preventing and managing pollution
- conserving nature
- predicting weather and environmental conditions.
Mandate and Role
Environment and Climate Change Canada is the lead federal department for a wide range of environmental issues. The department addresses these issues through various actions including the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change; engaging with our strategic partners including provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples; monitoring; science-based research; policy and regulatory development; and, through the enforcement of environmental laws. The department’s programs focus on minimizing threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution; equipping Canadians to make informed decisions on weather, water and climate conditions; and conserving and restoring Canada’s natural environment.
The department’s program focus reflects the interdependence between environmental sustainability and economic well-being.
Under the Department of the Environment Act, the powers, duties and functions of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change extend to matters such as:
- the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the natural environment, including water, air and soil quality, and the coordination of the relevant policies and programs of the Government of Canada
- renewable resources, including migratory birds and other non-domestic flora and fauna
- meteorology; and
- the enforcement of rules and regulations
The department delivers its mandate through other acts and regulations, such as the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999), the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act, the Federal Sustainable Development Act, the Species at Risk Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, the Canada Wildlife Act, and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Inter-Provincial Trade Act.
The department works closely with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and Parks Canada – its ministerial portfolio partners – to achieve many common goals. In addition, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change has secondary or shared responsibility for delivering on other federal departments’ mandates, including the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act (Transport Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and Natural Resources Canada), the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act (Natural Resources Canada), and the Emergency Management Act (Public Safety Canada).
Climate Change: Funding Programs
Projects to support climate action and awareness, clean technology, low carbon economy, environmental assessment, infrastructure.
The Indigenous Leadership Fund is a program under the Low Carbon Economy Fund. It provides up to $180 million by 2029 to support climate action by Indigenous peoples. The program funds Indigenous-owned and led renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon heating projects. These projects will help meet Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction target and net-zero emissions by 2050. This is a key part of the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.
Recognizing the unique rights, interests, and circumstances of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governments, communities, and organizations, the Indigenous Leadership Fund uses a distinctions-based approach to deliver funding to support projects that:
- are Indigenous-owned and led
- advance Indigenous climate leadership
- support the self-determined climate, social, and economic priorities of Indigenous peoples
As announced in Budget 2022, up to $32.2 million will go to the Atlin Hydro Expansion project, which will provide clean electricity to the Yukon and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Contact Information: [email protected].
The Climate Action and Awareness Fund (CAAF) is investing up to $206 million over five years to support Canadian-made projects that help to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The CAAF is designed to support projects that can create middle class jobs for Canadians who work in science and technology, academia, and at the grassroots community level. These projects are critical as we continue to build a sustainable net-zero emissions economy by 2050.
Contact Information: All inquiries related to the Climate Action and Awareness Fund may be sent to: [email protected].
The Low Carbon Economy Challenge
The Low Carbon Economy Challenge (the Challenge Fund) is aimed at using Canadian creativity to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and lead to clean growth. The Challenge Fund supports a wide range of projects in Canada that use proven, low-carbon technologies to reduce GHG emissions.
Contact Information: If you have questions about the Challenge Fund, please contact us by email at [email protected].
Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund
Each province and territory is allocated a funding envelope under the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund to support climate action priorities.
Eligible activity categories to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promote sustainability include energy efficiency, fuel switching and non-energy related actions.
Examples of eligible activity types include:
- equipment retrofits for energy efficiency and fuel switching
- organics diversion
- industrial process emissions changes
- industrial product use changes
These activities contribute to sustainable practices and emissions reductions across sectors.
Contact Information: For general questions, inquiries and news about the program please contact [email protected].
The Implementation Readiness Fund is a program under the Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF) that supports the Government of Canada’s commitment in the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. This fund aims to remove barriers for organizations and communities across Canada to adopt low-carbon technologies. It also aligns with Canada’s mitigation efforts to meet its 2030 climate objectives.
Projects funded through the program will focus on workforce and development training, network development and knowledge sharing across sectors. Recipients will organize workshops and training opportunities for targeted industries and communities to find solutions to increase the adoption of low-carbon technologies.
