Infrastructure & Environment

The Solid Waste Solutions Initiative (SWSI) brings communities, governments and partners together to find sustainable solutions that address the growing challenges of solid waste management across Nunavut.

Launched in 2024 following a resolution at NAM's 2022 Annual General Meeting, the initiative is co-led by NAM and the Government of Nunavut's Department of Environment. The initiative recognizes that communities cannot solve these challenges alone. Effective solid waste management requires coordinated action, clear responsibilities and long-term commitment from municipal, territorial and federal governments and other partners.

SWSI brings communities directly into the conversation, recognizing that solutions must reflect local realities, northern conditions and the different needs of Nunavut's 25 municipalities. The initiative is strengthening information and data, identifying practical and innovative approaches, supporting community-based solutions, and increasing awareness of the impacts of solid waste on our land, water and communities.

Ultimately, SWSI is about moving from short-term responses to a coordinated, long-term approach—one that gives Nunavut communities the infrastructure, resources, tools and support they need to manage waste safely and sustainably for generations to come.

Water-IQ is a collaborative research and training initiative focused on strengthening water science knowledge and protecting Nunavut's drinking water sources.

Beginning in Iqaluit, the ArcticNet-funded project combines scientific research with hands-on training in areas such as snow surveys, streamflow monitoring and watershed protection. A key part of the initiative is the development of a local water science training hub where participants from Nunavut communities can build practical skills for understanding, monitoring and protecting their own water sources.

NAM is participating in the initiative to help connect this work with municipalities and support the sharing of water science knowledge and training across Nunavut.

Working with CIRNAC, the Environmental Hazard Mapping Pilot supports Nunavut communities in identifying and better understanding environmental hazards that may affect community infrastructure, services and future development.

The Hamlet of Pangnirtung was chosen as the pilot community so that CIRNAC, the GN and NAM can learn from the process and develop a practical approach that can be adapted for other Nunavut municipalities. The project brings together local knowledge and available information to build a clearer picture of potential hazards and areas of risk.

Mapping these hazards gives communities better information to support local planning and decision-making, particularly as changing environmental conditions create new challenges across the North.

When completed, NAM will assist communities to access, understand and use this information so that potential risks can be considered when planning infrastructure, development, emergency preparedness and other community priorities.

Ultimately, the project is about helping communities understand where risks may exist before long-term decisions and investments are made, supporting safer, more informed and resilient community planning.

Asset Planner helps Nunavut communities better understand, manage and plan for the lifecycle of municipal infrastructure and assets.

Using an asset management planning tool, communities can keep track of important municipal assets, consider their condition and expected lifespan, and anticipate when maintenance, replacement or investment may be required. This helps municipalities move from responding to infrastructure problems as they arise toward more proactive, long-term planning.

NAM is supporting communities in using asset planning to strengthen local decision-making, identify future infrastructure needs and make better-informed decisions about limited municipal resources.

NAM has partnered with Climate Risk Institute in the development of the Coastal Communities Adaptation Toolkit. It is a national initiative designed to help coastal communities understand climate risks and make informed decisions about how to adapt to changing conditions.

Funded by Natural Resources Canada and led by the Climate Risk Institute, the project is developing practical guidance and providing coordinated access to resources that communities can use to identify and implement climate adaptation actions. The toolkit is being designed with particular attention to the needs of rural, remote and Indigenous coastal communities.

NAM is participating in the initiative to help ensure the realities and needs of Nunavut municipalities are reflected and to connect communities with tools and resources that can support local climate adaptation planning.