Sustainable Living

What is sustainability?

The definition most commonly used when defining sustainability is: "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." as stated by the Brundtland Commission in 1987. The Town of Halton Hills supports this definition of sustainability and views sustainability through four pillars: cultural vibrancy, economic prosperity, environmental health, and social well-being.

Incorporating the four pillars of sustainability into corporate and community initiatives will advance our sustainability journey. Similar to legs on a chair each pillar is important yet they are inter-connected. The pillars and their focuses are:

Cultural vibrancy
- Including sports, recreation, arts, culture and heritage.
Environmental health
- Including protecting and supporting healthy natural systems, water and energy efficiency and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Economic prosperity
- Including a community that is based on a green, diversified and resilient economy, and the strengthening of the existing industrial base.
Social well-being
- Including a healthy and safe community based on an ethic of caring and social equity.

Green Meeting and Event Policy

Our journey

Follow the Town's journey below on the Town's long-standing commitment to sustainability making this community and even greater place to live, work, play, and retire. In just a short time, the Town has made significant progress towards sustainability. Much more work is still to be done.

2016 - Corporate Sustainability Audit and Action Plan
- The Corporate Sustainability Audit and Action Plan is a five year vision, running from 2016-2021.The Plan focuses on practical actions that will enhance Town functions and service delivery. The Plan's outcomes will enable the Town to continue to lead the way in creating a sustainable community.
2015 - Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Built with ICELI Canada's BARC framework in mind, the Town's Climate Change Adaptation Plan focuses on identifying our community's risks to climate change and developing actions to take to manage, minimize, or eliminate those risks.

2014 - Mayor's Community Energy Plan
- The Mayor's Community Energy Plan is the result of engagement with key community stakeholders as well as the project's Steering and Technical Committees, and Town Council and staff. The Plan's implementation will enhance quality of life in Halton Hills through improved energy efficiency, cost savings, greenhouse gas reductions, renewable energy generation and raise community awareness for climate change and the important of energy efficiency.
2014 - Green Development Standards

Building on its award-winning Green Development Evaluation Checklist, in April 2014, Town Council approved a new set of Green Development Standards. The Standards will help advance many key Town objectives, including those of its Strategic Plan and Community Sustainability Strategy – contributing to economic prosperity, environmental health, cultural vibrancy and social well-being.

2013 - Community Sustainability Strategy
- The Community Sustainability Strategy was implemented to fulfil our community vision a future where we are economically prosperous, environmentally healthy, socially equal, and culturally vibrant. Our Strategy establishes a long-term vision and acts as a blueprint until the year 2060.
2008 - Office of Sustainability
- The Office of Sustainability was established and the Town's pursuit for a more sustainable community finally had a home.
2007 - Green Plan
- The Town's Green Plan was implemented in 2007, providing a basis to guide the Town and the community on developing and implementing "green" strategies and actions for the future.
2007 - Strategic Action Plan
- The Town's Strategic Plan is a Town vision for 2007 until 2013. The Plan contains a Community Vision, Corporate Mission and a set of Strategic Directions and Goals, accompanied by Strategic Objectives and Actions. These guides that have served to direct the Town's many initiatives.

Sustainability awards and leadership

With its deep commitment to sustainability, Halton Hills has been recognized with many awards and taken leadership action for its practical and innovative initiatives that aim to create a future characterized by cultural vibrancy, economic prosperity, environmental health and social well-being. Examples of these awards and leadership actions are listed below.

Community Conservation Award
Low Impact Development
Community Sustainability Strategy
CAMA National Municipal Environment Award
Smart Commute Workplace
Certificate of Merit
Smart Commute Halton Employer of the Year
Stewardship Award
Conservation Award
Award of Distinction
Friends of the Credit Award
Battery Collection Program
Member of the Greater Toronto Area Clean Air Council
WWF-Canada Recognition Plaque

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