Climate Change

Adaptation - managing the effects

Mitigation - reducing our impact

Mitigation is about dealing with the causes of climate change, i.e. how to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Through mitigation policies, plans and strategies the Town is focusing on corporate and community-wide actions to reduce or remove GHG emissions that contribute to climate change. There are many actions that can be taken such as building and developing to more energy efficient standards, reducing energy consumption in homes and buildings, choosing sustainable transportation modes, and reducing household waste.

Where will Halton Hills' emissions go by 2030 if no new actions are taken?

Low Carbon Transition Strategy

The Low Carbon Transition Strategy establishes the necessary actions to achieving the target set out in the Climate Change Emergency Declaration of May 6, 2019 to achieve net-zero carbon by 2030. 

The LCTS is a clear pathway for transitioning Halton Hills in to a low-carbon community by de-carbonizing every aspect of town-wide greenhouse gas emissions, from homes to transportation to industry to agriculture and waste.

Browse the final strategy and related documents below.

Reports and Strategy

• Final Strategy
  • REPORT NO. ADMIN-2021-0046
  • Appendix A - Table Reference vs. LC Assumptions
  • Appendix B - LC Results
  • Appendix C - Reference Scenario Report
  • Appendix D - Financial Analysis
  • Appendix E - Implementation Plan
  • Appendix F - Data, Methods, and Assumptions Manual

Resources 

• Reference Scenario Results
• Pre-engagement interview summary
• 2014 Community Energy Plan

Corporate energy plan

The 2020-2025 Corporate Energy Plan (CEP) constitutes the Town's second Energy Conservation & Demand Management Plan which was originally completed in 2014.
The 2020-2025 CEP reaffirms the Town's commitment to energy management and efficiency with an emphasis on deep greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions. Over the next five years, the CEP will provide a roadmap for reducing energy consumption, utility costs, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The CEP focuses on the best performances of the Town's existing assets, capital planning, and organizational strengths while investing in facility upgrades to achieve GHG reductions and highest returns on investment.
To achieve the Town’s goal to be a carbon neutral community by 2030, the CEP will guide decisions to maximize GHG emissions reductions in Halton Hills.

For more information please contact Michael Dean.

Important links

• 2020-2025 Corporate Energy Plan
• 2019 Corporate Energy Consumption and Activities Report

Green Development Standards

The Green Development Standards was developed in 2010 and has been periodically updated in 2014 and 2021. The current version of the Green Development Standards 3 (GDS v3) was approved by Town Council in June 2021.

The focus of the GDS v3 builds on the foundation of previous green development standards and puts increased weight on measures that reduce greenhouse gases of new development in the community

The purposes of the GDS v3 are:

1. To further elevate the sustainability performances of new developments in our community.
2. To ensure alignment with current best practices in sustainable building and development.
3. To support community-wide net-zero carbon emissions goals identified in the Town’s Emergency Declaration approved in 2019.

To learn more, view the Green Development Standards v3.

For more information please contact Michael Dean. 

Resources

• Climate Change Resiliency Checklist
• Energy and Water Declaration Letter Template
• Water Use Reduction Calculator
• Council Report PD-2021-0024
• Green Development Standards Background Report

Electric Vehicles in Halton Hills

The Town of Halton Hills is supporting a low-carbon community by building charging stations across Halton Hills.

Visit our Electric Vehicles webpage.

Natural assets

The Town has recognized the value of natural assets such as a healthy tree canopy and natural vegetation to reduce the impacts on climate change through approved Town policies, strategies and plans. Natural assets include: rivers, wetlands, forests, meadows and open spaces which provide a range of ecosystems that captures carbon emissions which benefit our environment and well-being.

For more information please contact Jennifer Spence.

Natural assets inventory and valuation project

Natural assets play a vital role in the Town's environmental health and provide natural services in adapting and mitigating threats by climate change. A well-managed natural asset will continue to produce a sustainable flow of services, such as stormwater management, air quality improvement, and reduction of carbon in the long term or even in perpetuity. The Town is currently carrying out a project on natural assets in partnership with Credit Valley Conservation and Greenbelt Foundation. The project consists of two phases:

1. Inventory natural assets in Halton Hills and evaluate the stormwater management services they provide (Completed)
2. Case study site to implement natural asset management strategy.

Council report and presentation

• Appendix A
• Appendix B
• Appendix C
• Presentation – Natural Asset Inventory and Valuation Project

Privately-owned tree management strategy

The Privately-Owned Tree Management Strategy identified practical and reasonable actions that the Town and community residents can take to preserve, protect, and enhance the tree canopy of Halton Hills.
Through development of this strategy, we have learned that 83% of the tree canopy in Halton Hills are on private lands. This reinforces that a continued collaborative approach is required to supporting and strengthening Halton Hills tree canopy.

Browse the final strategy and council report below

Report and Strategy

• Privately-Owned Tree Management Strategy
• Council Report

Retrofit Halton Hills

Residential buildings are the second largest source of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in Halton Hills and the Retrofit Halton Hills pilot program uses local improvement charges as a financing tool to help homeowners retrofit their homes.

Learn more and visit the Retrofit Halton Hills webpage.

Climate Change Investment Fund

The Climate Change Investment Fund has been established to encourage and assist local community groups and organizations to take action and contribute to the Town’s climate change goals. The 2022 deadline for submission is May 3, 2022 by 4:30 p.m. Apply today!

Application Guide  Application Form

For more information, contact Jennifer Spence, Climate Change Outreach Coordinator.

Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan

The Town of Halton Hills and Credit Valley Conservation have developed a Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan for the Hungry Hollow - Delrex Neighbourhood. This plan advances the Town's Climate Change Adaptation Plan and identifies actions to help the community become more environmentally sustainable and resilient to the impacts of climate change. Browse the Plan.