The unique landscape, species and ecosystems in the Northwest Territories (NWT) provide incredible opportunities for researchers and universities to study and learn from the NWT environment. The speed and magnitude at which climate change is impacting the NWT makes it an important locale to study climate change.

Researchers from around Canada and the world are working with the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) to help develop the understanding of Canada’s Arctic, the Boreal forest ecosystem, the impacts of climate change on the Arctic and many other topics of research. This includes a long-term research partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University, which has recently been extended to 2030.

Research partnerships will also be necessary to implement the GNWT Knowledge Agenda, which defines the GNWT’s current research priorities. The GNWT Knowledge Agenda: Action Plan 2019-2024 is the mechanism through which the Knowledge Agenda will be implemented and climate change has been highlighted as a cross-cutting theme to be addressed.