Climate change is widely regarded as one of the most significant global issues of our time. With the changing climate, municipalities are already facing weather-related impacts on residents and infrastructure, such as flooding, drought, extreme heat, poor air quality and severe weather events. These impacts are expected to become more pronounced if global greenhouse gas emissions cannot be brought under control.
Since 1996, the Town has actively participated in Clean Air Initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and address health concerns arising from deteriorating air quality in our community and across the GTA. The Town’s 2004 Clean Air Local Action Plan set both corporate and community GHG emissions reduction targets for 2010. As of 2005, the Town is well on its way towards achieving the targeted 20 per cent decrease in corporate emissions from 2000 levels. Significant progress towards the community target of 6 per cent below 2000 levels has also been made.
Some of the Town's Clean Air Initiatives include:
Achieving our Clean Air targets largely depends on choices we make regarding energy use. In this sense, energy efficiency goes hand-in-hand with efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. We all can make choices to conserve energy. The Town has taken a leadership role in seeking and promoting energy-efficient practices, technologies and alternative sources of energy (wind, solar and geothermal power).
The Town also participates in events aimed at promoting and encouraging energy conservation, including:
The Town’s energy efficiency initiatives include:
Clean Air Programs - Windfall Ecology Centre Website
Clean Air Programs - Clean Air Partnership Website
Energy Efficiency Tips