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 action is taken?

Low Carbon Transition Strategy

The 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
de-carbonizing every aspect of town-wide GHG emissions, from homes to transportation to industry to agriculture and waste.

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

• GHG Inventory and Energy Mapping
  • Energy use and emissions data is currently being gathered from across the town in order to develop a detailed baseline energy and emissions map of the community.

• Business-as-Planned (BAP) Projections

  • Energy and emissions will be projected for the town through 2030 in a business-as-planned scenario.

• Scenario Development
  • A long list of low-carbon actions will be considered for modelling and inclusion in the Strategy. Public consultation will assist in identifying priority actions.
• Modelling the Future
  • After technical review and public engagement, a refined list of low-carbon actions will be developed for future scenario modelling. 
• Developing the Strategy
  • A final scenario and its associated actions will be developed into a draft Strategy. Public engagement on the draft strategy will occur.
• Process and Strategy Governance
  • A detailed implementation strategy will be developed which will outline a governance framework for the Strategy.

We need your input

We 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.

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Links to background documents 

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

Corporate energy plan

2020-2025 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

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

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 standards

Building 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.

• Green Development Standards Checklist
• Green Development Standards Information Guide
• Green Development Standards Study: Final Report
• Notice of Adoption

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why 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.
2. 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:
     • Reduced long-term home/building/business operating costs
     • Energy and water conservation
     • Improved community design
     • More active transportation
     • Efficient infrastructure use
     • Stormwater management
     • Implementation flexibility
     • Marketing advantage for the applicant
     • Efficient resource/material use
     • Lower greenhouse gas emissions
     • Improved communication and awareness
3. Where do the Standards apply?
   • The Standards apply Town-wide.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Do the Standards apply to consents?
   • No. The Standards only apply to development of four or more lots.
10. 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.
11. Can compliance be achiever 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. What is the 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:

      • Clearly articulates the Town’s expectations with respect to sustainable development;
      • and...Integrates the Green Development Standards into the planning process.
    • To accomplish this, Amendment No. 19 amended the following sections of the Halton Hills Official Plan:
      • Community Vision (Section A1)
      • Goals and Strategic Objectives (Section A2)
      • Environmental Management Policies (Part C)
      • Site Plan Control (Section G8)
      • Pre-Consultation and Complete Application Requirements (Section G12
17. Is an assistance available to the applicant?

    • Yes. To streamline implementation and assist development/building, among other things, the Town will:

      • Launch a Green Development Champion Award
      • Provide on-line resources
      • Organize an industry working group
18. 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.

      • Step #1 Pre-consultation Meeting: This is an opportunity for the applicant to discuss opportunities for addressing the Green Development Standards with town staff. if possible, please consult the Standards prior to the pre-consultation meeting.
      • Step #2 Applicant reviews Official Plan policies and Green Development Standards: Applicant should review the applicable Official Plan policies and the Standards early in the project design phase in order to streamline implementation, achieve the required number of points and maximize benefits.
      • Step #3 Submit Planning Act application and include a complete Green Development Standards Checklist: Based on the type of development, complete the corresponding Checklist(s).
      • Step #4 Draft Approval: Conditions requiring compliance with the Green Development Standards will be included in draft approval.
      • Step #5 Subdivision or Site Plan Agreement: Agreement(s) will include requirements for meeting applicable Green Development Standards.
      • Step #6 Building Permit Application: Attach the completed Green Development Standards Checklist and supplementary data/ information demonstrating compliance. This is applicable only if the applicant has previously agreed to implement the Standards using certain Ontario Building Code-related criteria.
      • Step #7 Optional Compliance Verification: The applicant is encouraged to voluntarily confirm compliance with the standards via third-party certification. applicants that demonstrate compliance will be eligible for consideration for a Green Development Champion Award.
19. Who do I contact for assistance?
    • Please contact the Manager of Sustainability in Planning and Infrastructure at 905-873-2600, ext. 2289 or email Manager of Sustainability.

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 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

• Open House Presentation on March 3, 2020
• Project Timeline

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.

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.