Climate Change Committee

Climate change is one of the most critical issues facing the water sector today. The science around mitigation and adaptation for the water sector is complex and constantly evolving. The goal of the OWWA/WEAO Climate Change Committee is to prepare our industry for what lies ahead. We do this by informing OWWA and WEAO members about the most effective ways to integrate climate change into water sector activities. 

The OWWA/WEAO Climate Change Committee gathers and fosters water sector climate expertise in the areas of climate mitigation (reducing GHG emissions) and climate adaptation (preparing for the impacts of climate change). We do this to deliver resources, tools, and best practices to OWWA and WEAO members. Our climate mitigation mandate is to help the water sector understand greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the most effective ways to reduce them. Our climate adaptation mandate is to help the sector prepare for the impacts of climate change in Ontario. 

We are a dedicated group of volunteers who strive to bridge the gaps between water/wastewater engineering, climate science, and GHG accounting. Our vision is for climate change considerations to become embedded in every part of the Ontario water infrastructure cycle. 

Our Meetings

Meetings consist of semi-formal monthly all member teleconference meetings. 

Our Members

Chair: Benjamin Beelen (benjamin.beelen@ghd.com)
Vice-Chair: Laura Verhaeghe (lverhaeghe@geiconsultants.com​)