From ice storms to heat waves and unseasonable temperatures, Halton Hills has experienced some strange weather over the past few years. These unusual climate events have affected all our lives and have everyone talking. As a community, we can take steps to adapt and mitigate the effects of this phenomenon. Town Council is committed to taking direct action to reduce greenhouse gases and develop effective climate change initiatives.
Background |
| In May 2019, Town Council declared a climate change emergency in Halton Hills. Through adoption of the declaration the Town is committed to taking concrete actions and achieve a net-zero target by 2030. The Town is focusing on corporate and community-wide actions to reduce or remove greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through mitigation and adaptation measures. These measures are mutually beneficial. Effective mitigation can reduce climate change impacts, therefore reducing the level of adaptation required by a community. Similarly, mitigation actions help us to adapt to climate change and to protect and preserve the Town's natural assets and ecosystem. To achieve measureable results, the Town has adapted a Low Carbon Resilience Framework. In 2020, Mayor Rick Bonnette and Councillors Jane Fogal and Clark Somerville will lead a Climate Change Action Task Force. The goal is to take direct action in the community to reduce greenhouse gases and establish a significant number of climate change initiatives.
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Timeline |
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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 action is taken? Low Carbon Transition StrategyThe Low Carbon Transition Strategy will establish the action pathways necessary to achieving the target set out in the Climate Change Emergency Declaration of May 6, 2019 to achieve net-zero carbon by 2030. The plan will address In order to achieve the rapid transition to a low-carbon community, the Town will need a Low Carbon Transition Strategy that lays out a clear implementation plan and is developed collaboratively with representation from across the Halton Hills community. How the Low Carbon Transition Strategy will be developed
We need your inputWe need your input to help shape Halton Hills’ Low Carbon Transition Strategy. Over the next year (2020-2021), the Town will be initiating a collaborative planning effort to help develop a community-led Low Carbon Transition Strategy. Community stakeholders are needed to share their experiences and contribute their thoughts to help shape Halton Hills’ energy future. The Town is currently reviewing applications for the Low Carbon Transition Strategy Multi-Stakeholder Governance Body (LCT-MSGB), and an update will be provided soon. The purpose of the LCTS-MSGB will be to support and advise on the development of the Town’s Low Carbon Transition Strategy (LCTS). This committee will represent residents, young adults, small and large businesses and agricultural stakeholders to provide continuous feedback on the overall direction of the LCTS. Subscribe to this page using the button located on the right side for frequent updates. Links to background documentsCorporate energy plan2020-2025 Corporate Energy Plan includes two sections: the 2019 Corporate Energy Consumption and Activities Report which describes the current state of energy management in Halton Hills and the outcome of the 2014 Corporate Energy Plan, and the 2020-2025 Corporate Energy Plan which provides a roadmap for reducing energy consumption, utility costs, and greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years. The 2020-2025 Corporate Energy Plan (the Plan) constitutes the Town's second Energy Conservation & Demand Management Plan. It updates the 2014 Corporate Energy Plan and reaffirms the Town's commitment to energy management and efficiency with an emphasis on deep greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions. The focus of the Corporate Energy Plan is on getting the best out of the Town's existing assets, capital planning and organizational strengths while investing in facility upgrades with the best emissions reduction potential and highest returns on investment. The aim is to systematically introduce no/low-carbon decision-making while demonstrating substantial emissions reductions which position the Town on the right trajectory towards its goals. For more information please contact Michael Dean. Important links |
Adaptation - managing the effects |
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Adaptation is about preparing for and managing the impacts of climate change, i.e. how to absorb the changes that result from climate impacts. Adaptation measures help strengthen the Town's resilience to climate change. Examples of adaptation measures include building more resilient infrastructure, protecting and preserving the Town's natural assets and ecosystems, flood mitigation efforts like planting trees or building green roofs, and installing permeable paving stones to allow for better stormwater management. Climate Change Adaptation PlanThe Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP) has been developed to address the physical, economic, social, and ecological impacts of climate change, expected for the Town of Halton Hills in the next 30 years. The CCAP was informed by three key background studies:
How Climate Change will impact Halton Hills
Goals of the Climate Change Adaptation Plan
Milestone frameworkThe Town followed ICLEI Canada’s BARC Milestone Framework to develop the CCAP:
Important links
For more information please contact Rija Rasul |
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 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. |
Green development standards |
| Initially established in 2010 as the Green Development Checklist, the Town of Halton Hills Green Development Standards were updated in 2014 to include industrial, commercial, institutional and multi-unit residential buildings, and to provide developers with additional compliance flexibility through a LEED-like points based system. The Town is initiating the development of a third iteration of the Green Development Standard in 2019 through a Green Development Standard Update Study. The overall objective of the Green Development Standard Update Study is to elevate the sustainability performance of new development in Halton Hills, align the Green Development Standards with current best practices in sustainable building/development, to develop updated compliance standards and pathways, and the Town's current GHG mitigation and climate adaptation objectives. For more information please contact Michael Dean. Current Town green development standardsBuilding on its award-winning Green Development Evaluation Checklist, in April 2014, Town Council approved a new set of Green Development Standards. These Standards put in place a highly flexible set of criteria that are anticipated to materialize in more sustainable, high-performance and efficient development – benefiting the development/building industry as well as building owners/occupants. The Standards are designed to maximize development's positive attributes, while minimizing potentially negative impacts. The Standards 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. The Standards apply Town-wide to Low-Rise Residential, Low-Rise Non-Residential and Mid to High Rise development.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhy were the Green Development Standards developed?When appropriately managed, development can result in thriving complete communities that provide a broad range of housing, shopping, recreation and employment opportunities. Development can also contribute to the Town’s economic and fiscal viability and sustainability. At the same time, buildings are major consumers of energy and natural resources. By applying a practical set of Green Development Standards, the Town can maximize development’s many positive attributes while minimizing its potentially negative impacts. What are the benefits of the Standards?The Standards were carefully designed to maximize benefits to residents, building occupants, the Town and builders/developers. Anticipated benefits include:
Where do the Standards apply?The Standards apply Town-wide. Is my application subject to the Green Development Evaluation Checklist or the Green Development Standards?The new Green Development Standards were approved by Council in April 2014.They are being implemented as of June 2, 2014. If your Planning Act application was filed on or after June 2, 2014, the Green Development Standards apply. If it was filed prior to June 2, 2014, the Green Development Evaluation Checklist applies, but only for major ground-related residential development. What types of development do the Standards apply to?The Standards apply to low-rise residential, low-rise non-residential, and mid-high rise development of all types. Are renovations, expansions or alterations of existing buildings subject to the new Standards?No. The Standards do not apply to renovations, expansions and alterations. However, applicants for these projects are encouraged to consider incorporating high-performance features wherever possible. My application was filed prior to June 2, 2014 and is for non-ground related residential and/or non-residential development? What is applicable?Neither the Green Development Evaluation Checklist nor the new Green Development Standards apply. However, applicants must meet applicable sustainability development policies of the Town’s official plan, in particular those introduced via OPA NO. 19. Will water servicing allocation be tied to the Standards?Yes. Allocation of water capacity will be based on demonstrating compliance with applicable Official Plan policies which can be demonstrated through the successful completion of the Standards Checklist. Do the Standards apply to consents?No. The Standards only apply to development of four or more lots. How can I demonstrate compliance with the Standards?With your Planning Act application, you will need to submit a completed and signed Green Development Standards Checklist(s) that matches your form of development. Copies of the Checklist are available on the Town’s website. In the Checklist, you will select and declare the criteria which will be implemented in the project. For each development type (i.e. low-rise residential, low-rise non-residential, mid-high rise of all types), compliance is achieved by declaring that you will achieve about 40% of the available points. The minimum number of required points is included at the end of each Checklist. Can compliance be achieved without Building code-related items?Yes. However, the list of available criteria to select from in order to achieve the minimum number of points is shorter. Should we aim for more than the minimum number of required points?Yes. Applicants should initially set out to achieve slightly more than the minimum number of required points. As a project evolves, this will help with situations where some criteria may be deemed to be no longer feasible. How was the number of points assigned to each of the criteria?The criteria are rated on both the benefits and the difficulty or costs associated with their implementation. The larger the number of points, the more benefit generated by the criteria and typically the higher the initial cost. I would like to implement criteria that are not part of the Standards. Can I do that?Yes. Applicants are encouraged to explore innovative features beyond the Standards. Generally, up to 5 points will be assigned to these. Where can I find information about any available incentives?Various energy conservation incentives may be available for eligible projects. Applicants are encouraged to investigate the availability of any such incentives, including by contacting Halton Hills Hydro, Union Gas and the Ontario Power Authority. What is Official Plan Amendment No. 19?Official Plan Amendment No. 19 has been prepared to enhance the Town’s existing Official Plan policies which pre-date the Green Development Standards Study. The Amendment:
To accomplish this, Amendment No. 19 amended the following sections of the Halton Hills Official Plan:
Is any assistance available to the applicant?Yes. To streamline implementation and assist the development/building industry, among other things, the Town will:
What is the development approvals process for applications implementing the Standards?The below chart generally illustrates key steps in the implementation process, beginning with the pre-consultation meeting and ending with the optional self-verification of compliance with the Standards by the applicant.
Who do I contact for assistance?Please contact the Manager of Sustainability in Planning and Infrastructure at 905.873.2601 ext. 2289 or email. |
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 projectNatural 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:
Council report and presentation
Privately-owned tree management strategyThe development of a Privately-Owned Tree Management Strategy is currently underway. The Town's strategy will determine how best to protect and enhance privately-owned trees in Halton Hills. Trees are important in the fight against climate change since they absorb and store carbon dioxide -- a greenhouse gas that heats the earth. In Halton Hills, approximately 83% of all tree canopy cover is located on privately-owned lands. This project is expected to be completed in 2020. Important links
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What you can do |
Public engagementPublic engagement is an essential component to all climate change efforts. In 2019 the Town asked for residents' feedback in guiding the Climate Change Adaptation Plan. The information and survey can be found on our engagement platform, Let's Talk Halton Hills. How to helpThere's so much you can do to help! Here are some ideas - check back often for more!
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Council reports and updates |
