Climate Action

In the Township, we are creating a future where transportation choices are healthy and clean. Active mobility such as walking, cycling and rolling provides health benefits from physical exercise, and offer more equitable choices for residents who are unable or choose not to drive (e.g. youth, older seniors, and lower income residents). When residents travel longer distances, a transition to electric vehicles and transit will cut pollution, keeping our air and water clean, and reducing noise so it’s more enjoyable to be outside near roadways.

Transportation in gas- and diesel-fuelled vehicles is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the Township, accounting for 54% of total carbon pollution.

Actions in the Transportation and Mobility Priority Area will support a transition to electric vehicles, advocate for public transit expansion, and increase opportunities for active mobility (e.g. walking, biking) around and between our neighbourhoods. See full action list.

Buildings represent a big part of our livable environment. They are our homes, workplaces, schools, and businesses. Buildings also use a lot of energy, and are the second largest contributor to our greenhouse gas emissions.

Actions in the Buildings and Land Use Priority Area will ensure our buildings are energy-efficient and use clean energy sources. The way we use our land is critical, too – well-designed communities have all the amenities you need close to home, including shopping and outdoor park spaces, as well as safe active mobility options to travel where we need to go.

Improving our buildings and land use offers many other benefits, such as lower utility bills, better air quality, and improved comfort in our homes and workplaces. See full action list.

Climate change has an impact on our weather patterns, causing more frequent storms and extreme weather, as well as worsening drought conditions in the summer. Actions in the Infrastructure Priority Area ensure that our community members can continue to count on clean, safe drinking water, and that new developments will utilize nature-based green infrastructure (such as bioswales and rain gardens) to help manage storm water. The Township will also explore opportunities to integrate community renewable energy systems into our neighbourhoods.

By improving our infrastructure, we can also reduce operating costs, improve water quality, and expand habitat for birds, fish, animals and insects. See full action list.

The Township has an abundance of beautiful natural areas and parks that provide benefits to our community members and wildlife alike. Climate change impacts such as hot, dry summers can impact our natural and Township-managed planted areas such as parks and boulevards. Excessive heat and sun exposure can also impact our children when park playgrounds and sports fields become too hot to safely enjoy.

Actions in the Greenspace and Ecosystems Priority Area will increase our tree canopy and shade to make our parks, trails, and walkways more comfortable, and will help ensure we are planting drought-tolerant plants and trees that can withstand increasing temperatures. Through improved maintenance in key locations, we can also limit erosion around vital waterways, and reduce the impact of invasive species.

Actions in this priority area provide a host of other benefits, including improving biodiversity, slowing storm water run off, and reducing costs for watering and tree replacements. See full action list.

Good health is a key component of a thriving community, but sadly, climate change is a threat to our health. Extreme weather events can cause wind damage and flooding leading to injury, mould growth, and mental health issues. Rising summer heat has a larger impact on vulnerable populations, including the homeless, and lower-income groups (e.g. some seniors) without access to air conditioning. As heat and forest fire smoke impact our air quality in the summer, pregnant women, children, and individuals with asthma are at increased risk, as are individuals who work outdoors during the day.

Actions in the Heath and Emergency Preparedness Priority Area will take a proactive approach to support local health authorities where possible. Actions include developing plans to keep our outdoor workers safe in the heat, as well as establishing protocols to ensure our summer events and outdoor activities are cool and comfortable. The Township will also explore opportunities for outdoor cooling such as misters and spray parks, and will increase the number of public water fountains in parks and along trails.

A focus on Health and Emergency Preparedness has other benefits as well, such as increasing important connections between our community members, and ensuring we are more resilient in emergencies. See full action list.

Agriculture is a big part of life in the Township, and 75% of our total land is part of the Agricultural Land Reserve. Local farmers rely on quality harvests to make a living, and we rely on the food our farmers produce. Climate change makes our weather less predictable, with more drought in the summer and risk of flooding in the shoulder seasons.

Federal and provincial governments have jurisdiction over agriculture, but the Township can have influence through partnerships, advocacy, and policies in some key areas. Actions in the Agriculture Priority Area help prepare farmers to be more resilient to a changing climate, while promoting eating locally and ensuring residents can grow their own fresh, healthy and inexpensive food close to home.

A sustainable food system also ensures healthier ecosystems, improved air and water quality, and provides benefits to the local economy. See full action list.

Waste is the fourth largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the Township. This is mostly due to methane, a potent gas that is released when organic waste (such as food and yard trimmings) decompose in a landfill. Gas and diesel-powered waste collection vehicles also pollute our air and add to our greenhouse gas emissions.

Actions in the Waste Priority Area will increase composting and recycling opportunities for residents, as well as local businesses and institutions. The Township will also work with our waste collection company to reduce fuel use, and will explore alternatives to burning green waste.

Other benefits include improved air quality and limiting our resource use. See full action list.

To lead the way on climate change, climate-related information must be integrated throughout Township decision-making processes and procedures.

Actions in the Leadership and Integration Priority Area will ensure that climate change is a consideration in Council reports, annual budget requests, and purchasing processes. The Township will also develop a funding mechanism to support the Climate Action Strategy, and will review all existing policy documents to ensure they support climate action.

The actions in this section will ensure the Township is accountable, both to our climate commitments and to our residents. See full action list.