Climate Research

Environment Canada carries out a comprehensive program of scientific research on the climate system and climate change.

The climate research agenda is driven by public concern about climate and climate change. Our objective is to help provide the scientific basis necessary for wise policy and decision-making by governments and the public.  To this end, working with partners, we generate and disseminate new knowledge and data on the behavior of the climate system, and its past, present and future states.  The results provide a basis for many climate-related services and products for Canadians, and for climate policy development.

Our climate research activities are at the leading edge of scientific knowledge and are focused in four areas of particular relevance to Canada: 

Highlights of Recent Research

Changes in Global Temperature animation

Rising temperatures in Canada through the 21st century 

Animation generated from Environment Canada’s climate model show the expected increase in global temperatures by the middle of this century, especially in polar regions.

Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Graph measured at Alert, Canada

Increasing Levels of Global Carbon Dioxide 

The unique Canadian record of increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide in the global atmosphere, measured by Environment Canada in Alert, Nunavut, at the world’s most northerly Global Atmosphere Watch station.

Increasing levels of Global Precipitation 

The human influence on global precipitation

The human influence on changing global precipitation patterns over the 20th century, detected for the first time by Environment Canada scientists.

Seasonal Climate Change Map

Seasonal climate information

The Climate Trends and Variations Bulletin presents national and regional climate information – temperature and precipitation – for the most recent season and year in a historical context.