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.
Community Sustainability Strategy
Community Sustainability Strategy information |
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The Community Sustainability Strategy or otherwise known as ‘Imagine Halton Hills' is a long term strategy that acts as a blueprint to integrate sustainability into its day-to-day decision making, plans, policies and other initiatives. Imagine Halton Hills centres on a community vision to the year 2060. It envisions Halton Hills with a high quality of life through a long-term community vision which reads: "In 2060, the urban and rural communities of Halton Hills balance economic prosperity with a deep commitment to the natural environment, while retaining viable local agriculture and small-town feel, and being socially equitable, culturally vibrant and strongly connected." This community vision is supported by individual visions for the four "pillars" which are key to high quality of life: Cultural Vibrancy, Economic Prosperity, Environmental Health and Social Well-being. Each of these pillars is equally important and includes several focus areas, goals and indicators. |
State of Sustainability Profile |
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The 2017 State of Sustainability Profile serves as a sustainability report card to objectively measure the Town's progress in advancing its sustainability indicators outlined in the Community Sustainability Strategy. This bi-annual Profile identifies successes and challenges experienced in meeting the intent of Community Sustainability Strategy ‘Imagine Halton Hills'. This Profile generally highlights examples of corporate and community initiatives over the past two years that contribute to the community's vision of a sustainable future. This Profile replaces previous Green Plan Report Cards (2010, 2011 and 2012) and the 2015 State of Sustainability Profile. The State of Sustainability focuses on Halton Hills' environmental health, cultural vibrancy, economic prosperity and social wellbeing. For more information please contact Jennifer Spence. |
Green Meeting and Event Policy
Our journey |
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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 PlanThe 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 PlanBuilt 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 PlanThe 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 StandardsBuilding 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 StrategyThe 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 SustainabilityThe Office of Sustainability was established and the Town's pursuit for a more sustainable community finally had a home. 2007 - Green PlanThe 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 PlanThe 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.
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