Environment

Located on the traditional lands of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, the City of Yellowknife is surrounded by natural beauty and resources.

As a community, our prosperity is dependent on the environment around us. While natural resource development is important for our economy, sustainable development of these resources is necessary to ensure we have a vibrant, healthy, and equitable city now and into the future.

For that reason, Yellowknife has developed programs and plans to preserve our environment and help ensure that it remains a safe place to live.

Environmental Initiatives

Climate Action

Energy Use & Emissions

Adapting to Climate Change

Local Food Production

Current Environmental Hazards

Related Initiatives

Composting Recycling Transit
Parks and Outdoors Water and Sewer

Roles & Responsibilities

Responsibility for the environment is shared among the Federal government, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and the City of Yellowknife. See below for information on how this responsibility is shared.

Federal government

Fisheries, navigation and shipping (including emissions, sewage, oil and water discharges) in oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams
Emissions from aviation and interprovincial transportation
The release of toxic substances (e.g., mercury, asbestos, and six GHGs)
Interprovincial movement of hazardous materials
Management of federal contaminated sites within the territory

Government of the Northwest Territories

Lead on climate change, land use and sustainability policy, and conserved and protected areas
Emissions from industries and activities within the GNWT’s jurisdiction
Onshore waters, wildlife, forests, air, and public land
Development impacts on forests, water (including drinking water), wildlife, and wildlife habitat
Managing human-wildlife conflicts
Wildfire monitoring, management, and suppression (e.g., regional and territorial fire bans)
Transboundary water agreements
Water licensing decisions
Waste reduction policies and programs and monitoring of waste management facilities and operators

City of Yellowknife

Water treatment and monitoring
Wastewater, stormwater, and sewage lagoons
Waste management (landfill, recycling, and composting)
Land use and planning within the City
Municipal bylaws (e.g., zoning bylaw, building bylaw, and permitting requirements)
Wildfire monitoring and management within the City (e.g., local fire bans and burning permits for fires and fireworks within the City, etc.)
Operation, procurement, asset management of City-owned land and facilities and
City services and activities

Environment & Climate Change

Environmental Initiatives

Related Initiatives

Roles & Responsibilities