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Published May 2, 2022 at 2 :54 pm
The Town of Oakville has released two reports that show it is making progress against climate change. PEXELS PHOTO
Oakville is on track to meet its 2030 interim targets for reducing energy use and carbon emissions.
A recent staff report stated that the Town will not just meet but exceed its targets for a 20% reduction of energy use and 30% reduction of carbon emissions by 2021.
Oakville’s Progress Report on Reduction of Energy Use and Carbon Emissions revealed that Oakville is currently on track for reducing energy use by 24.7 % and carbon use by 29.3 %, compared with a baseline of 2014.
That was one of two reports Oakville released showcasing the progress being made to address Town Council’s 2019 Climate Emergency Declaration.
The Town claims that the pandemic, rapid changes in the global and local climate crises, and the subsequent pandemic have prompted them to review their efforts for 2021.
Its first report, Climate Action: Progress and Directions Report, provided a high-level overview of this assessment, along with recommendations for three initiatives to increase engagement and accountability in the town’s climate efforts.
“Together, these two reports document the strides made by the town to address the climate emergency and set the course to build on this success, be accountable and ensure Oakville is positioned to respond effectively to future challenges and opportunities,” said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton.
“But, we can’t do this alone. Residents, businesses and all levels of government need to do their part to fight climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
While staff will continue to implement various climate action projects in the future, they will also be focusing on:
- developing tools to embed climate considerations across all the town’s operations and services including climate lenses and risk and vulnerability assessments;
- An audit and reporting program is conducted based on the Task Force for Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) that will be included as part of the town’s 2022 annual financial report. Oakville is now at the forefront in climate transparency and the TCFD is rapidly becoming the gold standard for financial and risk reporting.
- completing a full review and update of the town’s Climate Strategy in 2023 that will build on these foundational pieces, and offer opportunities for community engagement.
In response to recommendations made in the Progress Report on Reduction of Energy Use and Carbon Emissions, Council approved the adoption of a Net Zero Carbon target for 2050 for all corporate activities, in alignment with the federal Pan-Canadian Framework.
All corporate reporting for carbon emissions and energy use will be adjusted to use a 2015 baseline which will set an even higher bar for reductions.
Highlights of the 2021 climate action initiative:
- Development of two new plans to move the town’s operations to a Net Zero target in 2050: The Low Carbon Roadmap and the Renewable Energy Generation Plan
- Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre was constructed to LEED standards. It is close to Net Zero due to the addition high-efficiency systems paired together with renewable energy technologies like geo-thermal heating, cooling, and car charging station.
- Planting of 23,634 native trees and 4,382 native shrubs through the town’s woodland regeneration program and stewardship partnerships with the community including the installation of a new meadow at Kingsford Gardens Park to create pollinator and bird habitats.
- Plans to prepare the town for future climate risks and develop risk and vulnerability assessments. These plans include, among other things, the asset management plan and rainwater management plan, as well as the facilities operations management plan.
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