Charting the Course to Net Zero Water in Canada
Creating a Canadian Net Zero Water Roadmap for Municipal Water Utilities (2024 – Ongoing)
Challenge
The Net Zero Water Roadmap Project, funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada through its Implementation Readiness Fund, is focused on accelerating progress towards greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation and net zero emissions in municipal water, wastewater and stormwater services. The first ever Canadian Net Zero Water Roadmap will be created through the engagement of Canada’s largest municipal water utilities, cleantech networks and individual companies, CWN’s private sector Innovation Partners, provincial water associations, international water research centres, energy utilities, regulatory bodies, and academia to share knowledge and approaches to reduce GHGs.
Through this project, CWN will bring the latest international and domestic research, innovations and best practices to Canadian utilities to accelerate knowledge and capacity to measure total GHG emissions from water operations. Innovative technologies will be explored, including AI, to optimize energy efficiency and drive emissions to net zero.
The Government of Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, with the goal of reaching net zero by 2050 as outlined in the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, has prompted various sectors to measure and mitigate their GHG emissions. With several municipalities across Canada declaring climate emergencies, the municipal and utility water servicing sector is taking action to reduce energy consumption and mitigate GHGs. However, knowing how, when or where to start to reduce GHGs can be challenging for municipal water leaders.
Essential municipal water, wastewater, and stormwater services have high electricity consumption from drinking water and wastewater treatment and contribute to significant GHG emissions from biological wastewater treatment.
Project
This project brings together CWN’s Municipal Consortium and private sector partners to identify obstacles and find solutions to mitigate GHG emissions in the public water sector.
The Canadian Municipal Water Consortium is a national network of water utility leaders with a common goal of advancing sustainable, equitable and resilient urban water management. The consortium provides a platform for water utility experts to share their knowledge and approaches to municipal water management and explore strategic issues on the horizon.
Currently, the Consortium supports senior decision-makers from 26 municipal water departments and utilities serving over 25 million people across Canada.
For this project, CWN has convened a National Advisory Committee (NAC) comprised of thought leaders, water utility leaders from our Municipal Consortium and private sector partners. They will share their insights and knowledge to formalize a Net Zero Water Roadmap to assist utility leaders in reducing GHG emissions.
CWN will also convene a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to showcase expertise on new and emerging technologies to assist with emissions reductions. Members of the TAC will identify, review and recommend proven technologies and solutions.
Communities of Practice with utility leaders and subject matter experts will identify applicable and pragmatic approaches to reducing emissions. These approaches will be captured in the Roadmap for other utilities to learn from and adopt.
Net Zero topics may include GHG accounting and inventory, process emissions monitoring, energy efficiency and demand management, embodied carbon and carbon embedded in supply chains, innovation and emerging technologies, GHG credits and trading approaches and Net Zero strategy, policy and governance for utilities.
The collaborative structure of the project is supported by CWN and emphasizes peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing. Project participants will interact through virtual and in-person events, workshops and learning tours.
Outputs
- A Net Zero Water Roadmap for municipal utility water services in Canada.
- Curated knowledge and information products, including case studies, briefs, webinars and a publicly accessible library.
- Tangible tools and approaches for municipal water leaders to support advocacy with municipal councils and higher levels of government.
Outcomes
- A more informed and engaged national network of water utilities with a clear roadmap to reach net zero in water, wastewater and stormwater services.
- Increased adoption and implementation of GHG mitigation measures in Canadian municipal water, wastewater and stormwater utilities and services.
- An established, trusted learning ecosystem for the water sector through which GHG mitigation is accelerated, based on open sharing of knowledge and insights and connecting to expertise through networks and communities of practice.
- A highly connected network of senior decision-makers and water leaders from municipal and non-municipal departments, agencies and sectors to support integrated decision-making on joint opportunities.
“By decarbonizing our water systems, we are investing in a healthier and cleaner environment for future generations. Projects like this one by the Canadian Water Network are helping communities to build the knowledge and skills needed to deliver essential services while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building a green economy for a sustainable future.” – The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Project Partners
