New Clarington plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contains 115 actions on climate change

Clarington, Ontario –  Clarington Council has approved the Clarington Corporate Climate Action Plan (CCCAP) to prepare for climate change and reduce the negative impact Municipal service delivery may have on the environment. The CCCAP outlines over one hundred actions the Municipality can take to respond to climate change while adapting services and operations to minimize climate risks. It also sets targets to reduce corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“By endorsing the Action Plan, the Municipality is taking its most significant step to date to reduce our impact on the environment and our community. As a municipality, we must continue to adjust our practices and the way we operate to prepare Clarington for the known risks associated with climate change,” said Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster.

The Action Plan was developed in collaboration with some 70 staff members from different departments, working to identify climate change risks to Municipal services and operations. The CCCAP contains 115 specific actions that the Municipality can take to adapt corporate assets, operations, and services to limit the negative impacts of climate change and reduce GHG emissions. All actions in the plan have been identified by staff as achievable and within Municipal control.

The actions within the CCCAP work to achieve seven goals:

1. Reduce corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contributing to climate change
2. Maintain public and workplace health and safety
3. Minimize risks to buildings and properties
4. Strengthen the resilience of Municipal infrastructure
5. Protect ecosystems and biodiversity
6. Minimize disruption to corporate operations and services
7. Build community resilience

The Action Plan also sets a target to reduce corporate GHG emissions to 35 per cent below the 2018 baseline levels by 2030. It also aims to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

Over the coming months, staff will develop an implementation guide with a five-year framework to fulfil the actions outlined in the plan. Staff are also looking at success criteria and implementing specific checkpoints to measure achievement. Council will review the funds needed to complete each action as part of the annual budget cycle.

The CCCAP will be reviewed annually and updated every five years to incorporate the best available science and best practices to ensure the Municipality responds to climate change effectively.

“By taking action today, the Municipality will be in a better position to minimize disruptions to essential services, protect community health and wellbeing, and avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change in the future,” added Mayor Foster.

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Media inquiries:
Municipality of Clarington
Leanne Walker
Communications Specialist
905-623-3379 ext. 2217 or lwalker@clarington.net