HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-13-108 - Community Climate Action Plan & Corporate Greenhouse Gas Reduction Initiatives - Complete
Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee
REPORT TO:
th
November 18, 2013
DATE OF MEETING:
Brandon Sloan (Acting Director of Planning)
SUBMITTED BY:
Brandon Sloan, Manager of Long Range & Policy Planning
PREPARED BY:
(519-741-2200 x7648)
All Wards
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
th
October 30, 2013
DATE OF REPORT:
CSD-13-108
REPORT NO.:
SUBJECT: Community Climate Action Plan and Corporate
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Initiatives
RECOMMENDATION:
WHEREAS the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), indicate that municipalities
directly and indirectly affect 44% of Canadas total greenhouse gas emissions and
therefore have an important role to play in mitigating this impact on the climate; and,
WHEREAS the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Region of Waterloo have
committed to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection
program (FCM - PCP) both at the Corporate and Community level; and,
WHEREAS the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Region of Waterloo,
completed Community Milestone 1, Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Forecast, as
approved by FCM PCP in 2012; and,
WHEREAS the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Region of Waterloo, in
collaboration with community and business groups, utilities, schools, universities and
residents, wish to deliver Community Milestone 2 (Setting an Emissions Reduction
Target) and Community Milestone 3 (Developing a Local Action Plan) in fulfillment of
FCM Green Municipal Fund requirements; and,
WHEREAS the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Region of Waterloo are
undertaking Corporate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) mitigation inventories and plans and wish
to also address climate change mitigation across the entire community,
BE IT RESOLVED that the community-wide GHG reduction target of 6% below 2010
emission levels by 2020 be endorsed, and staff be directed to submit it for consideration
by the FCM as fulfillment of Community Milestone 2 of the PCP pr
THAT Council endorse the Community Climate Action Plan dated October, 2013 as
attached to Community Services Department Report CSD-13-108 be endorsed in
principle, subject to budget deliberations and other business planning approvals
required for individual projects under the authority of the municipality, in order to
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achieve the GHG reduction target, and that staff be directed to submit it for review by
FCM as fulfillment of Community Milestone 3 of the PCP program;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the continuation of a ClimateActionWR collaborative
approach between the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Region of Waterloo
along with community and business groups, utilities, schools, universities and residents
be explored to achieve a community-wide GHG reduction target, and at minimum should
include:
A Terms of Reference for an Implementation Group with any such terms
and associated agreements being prepared to the satisfaction of Legal
Services and Purchasing, and any associated costs being to the approval
of Council;
Implementation strategies for moving forward with specific actio
Prioritization, cost and resource requirements for actions;
Monitoring and an interim reporting of results before 2020;
Consideration of a Greenhouse Gas reduction target beyond 2020;
Submission to FCM as fulfillment of Community Milestones 4
(Implementation) and 5 (Monitoring); and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that further to FCMs acknowledgment of Kitcheners
fulfillment of Corporate Milestone 1 (Greenhouse Gas Inventory) of the PCP Program,
that staff be directed to undertake a new project within the Corporate Business Planning
process to establish additional Corporate GHG reduction actions and target along with
implementation and monitoring in order to fulfill Corporate Milestones 2-5 of the PCP
Program.
BACKGROUND:
The community aspects of a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory and forecast were presented to
the Environmental Committee in May and June of 2012 through CSD Reports 12-082 and 12-
099 respectively. An update on the preparation of a Climate Action Plan and a request for Task
Force representation was provided to the October and November 2012 Environmental
Committee meetings. This report addresses the next steps to establish a Greenhouse Gas
reduction target, action plan, implementation and monitoring for the community as well as
providing an outline of corporate-related initiatives. A related
th
and endorsed at the October 17
, 2013 Environmental Committee meeting.
REPORT:
Partners for Climate Protection
In 1997, Kitchener became a member of the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP). PCP is a
partnership between the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and International Council
for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Local Governments for Sustainability. It is a network
of Canadian municipal governments who have committed to reducing greenhouse gases and
acting on climate change. PCP offers a five-milestone framework to reduce Greenhouse Gas
(GHG) emissions.
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Status
Community Corporate
Creating a greenhouse gas Achieved 2012 Achieved 2013
Milestone 1
emissions inventory and
forecast
Setting an emissions Pending - Requires action
Milestone 2
reductions target recommendation (recommendation within
within this report this report)
Developing a local action Interim plan recognized.
Milestone 3
plan Requires further action.
Implementing the local Requires action Requires action
Milestone 4
action plan or a set of (recommendation (recommendation within
activities within this report) this report)
Monitoring progress and Requires action Requires action
Milestone 5
reporting results (recommendation (recommendation within
within this report) this report)
Milestones can be completed in any order and often are combined. FCM provides support and
direction for how these milestones are to be undertaken and they also provide formal
acknowledgement when each step is complete.
Summary of Corporate Actions 1997-2010
Kitchener has a long history of acting to reduce energy use, particularly with respect to
corporate initiatives, to address concerns about Greenhouse Gases, climate change and
potential shortages of fuel. This has been reflected in Kitcheners Strategic Plan for the
since it was first adopted in 1992 with as a main area of focus.
Environment Energy Systems
To achieve the objectives for reduced energy use in the plan, Kitchener has implemented many
initiatives since the 1990sboth large and smallto achieve reductions in the production of
GHSs. Some of these initiatives include:
Energy Management Team (Facilities Management) initiatives e.g. lighting retrofits,
Breithaupt Community Centre solar pool heating etc.
Fleet idling protocol and training
Corporate Clean Air Plan (Council Policy I-185, since 1999) and the report on
Air Quality
and the annual 5 Best Bets
in Kitchener
Anti-idling signage in school zones and staff support of Active and Safe Routes to
School
ISO 14001 for Fleet Operations
Council-adopted policies such as the the,
Pedestrian Charter, Cycling Master PlanA
etc.
Plan for a Healthy Kitchener,
Annual core funding for REEP (Waterloo Green Solutions) to facilitate energy audits and
retrofits, and homeowner education to reduce energy use.
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Corporate Milestone 1
Starting in 2012, data was collected for buildings, outdoor lights, wastewater pumping stations,
vehicle fleet and corporate waste in order to complete a corporate Greenhouse Gas emissions
inventory and forecast. The information was gathered from a variety of sources and business
units throughout the Corporation. The Planning Division coordinated this step, including the
detailed synthesis of the data. This work investigated information going back to 1997; however,
it was determined that the best and most complete data set available is for the year 2010. As a
result, for Corporate Milestone purposes, 2010 is considered the baseline year. This coincides
with the same baseline year used for the Community Milestones. FCM acknowledged the
completion of our Corporate Milestone 1 this year in 2013 (see Appendix A). The inventory is
posted at:
http://www.fcm.ca/Documents/reports/PCP/members/Ontario/City_of_Kitchener_2010_Corporat
e_Green_House_Inventory_EN.pdf
What this means for Kitchener is that all of the Corporate actions undertaken as summarized
above up until 2010 are not easily quantifiable in terms of an overall GHG reduction. Kitchener
decided to be an environmental leader, but we have now completed some o
f the easy wins
along with some very significant initiatives that likely had an important impact and potentially
significant reduction. The result may be that moving forward, setting a reduction target and
further actions, may be more difficult.
Notwithstanding, the City of Kitchener continues to rise to the challenge and since 2010 we
have constructed municipal buildings to LEED standards, a large solar-roof on the Kitchener
Operations Facility, furthered cycling and transit support for municipal staff, have a successful
green bin program, completed additional energy management improvements at our facilities,
and a number of other initiatives. These actions count towards a future reduction target.
will
Corporate Milestone 2 and 3
The next step in the Partners for Climate Protection process is to complete a Corporate GHG
emissions reduction target and further update our Action Plan. This will require more
involvement and commitment from various business units within in
the Infrastructure Services Department. There is some relationship with requirements for energy
management in municipal buildings that the Facilities Management Division would be connected
with. The Planning Division could assist in a supporting role for this work. These two
components require a Project Manager, may qualify as a Corporate Project and therefore
ng process for consideration.
should be referred to the Citys Corporate Business Planni
Setting an Emissions Reductions Target
An emissions reduction target can be established at any time. The target is normally set
following the development of an emissions inventory and forecast (Milestone 1) or after the
quantification of existing emissions reduction measures (Milestone 3). There are several
approaches to determine a specific numerical target -
it could be groundup where it is the
sum of what reasonable actions can be undertaken, it could be an goal and then
aspirational
determine what actions it takes to achieve the target, or other a hybrid approach is selected.
Action Plan
An Action Plan is a strategic document that outlines how the Cor
emissions reduction target. Links must also be established between the Action Plan and the
Official Plan and/or other documents such as the Strategic Plan for the Environment.
An Action Plan includes the following information:
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1. Input
Recommendations from staff on specific measures in the action plan.
2. Results
Baseline emissions inventory data (Milestone 1)
The emissions forecast (Milestone 1)
The emissions reduction target (Milestone 2)
3. Actions
Existing emissions reduction measures that will continue
New or proposed emissions reduction measures
4. Implementation strategies
Details on costs, responsibilities, schedules, and funding sources
Plans to monitor the progress made towards the emissions reduction target and the
implementation status of GHG reduction measures
Consideration on how to integrate the action plan with other plans i.e. Air Quality or
Community Energy plans
It should be noted that Kitcheners Strategic Plan for the Environment is the Action Plan of
record for Kitchener reen Municipal
and has been accepted as such for the purposes of FCMs G
Fund. Part of any update to our Action Plan should include specific details and initiatives under
the areas of Energy Management and Air Quality in the Strategic Plan for the Environment that
will illustrate how Kitchener can further reduce our emissions.
Corporate Milestone 4 and 5
Part of any pending Corporate Project to establish a reduction target and update our Action Plan
should include consideration of how the actions are to be implemented and monitored. This
could address the remaining milestones an
d successfully complete the City of Kitcheners
corporate obligation as part of the FCM-PCP Program.
Community Milestone 1
In May 2012, a community-scale GHG emissions inventory was completed for Waterloo Region
using 2010 as a baseline year. The work also identified a 10-year emission forecast to the year
2020. The inventory shows the "carbon footprint" of Waterloo Region through local energy use,
transportation, waste sent to landfill, and agricultural activities. The initiative was undertaken in
collaboration with a number of local partners, including:
City of Cambridge Region of Waterloo
City of Kitchener Sustainable Waterloo Region
City of Waterloo Union Gas
Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro Waterloo North Hydro
Kitchener Utilities Cambridge and North Dumfries Hydro
REEP Green Solutions
This inventory included a component that is also specific to the City of Kitchener. FCM has
acknowledged that community Milestone 1 is now complete. The inventory is posted at:
http://www.fcm.ca/Documents/reports/PCP/Community_GHG_Inventory_
erloo_Region_EN.pdf
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Community Milestones 2 and 3
Continuing with the collaborative effort, the next community milestones were tackled through the
-13. This plan, prepared by ClimateActionWR, is
preparation of the Climate Action Plan in 2012
the primary focus of this staff report and the full plan is atta
received through FCM Green Municipal Fund, the Kitchener and Waterloo Community
Foundation and the Ontario Trillium Fund for this initiative.
ClimateActionWR is a collaboration amongst different sectors, disciplines, and interests across
the Waterloo Region community. The lead organizations include many of those from the
partnership listed above. This sustainability network is continuing to grow with leadership from
local governments, utilities, businesses, non-profit organizations, and community members. A
collaborative approach to this work is vital to facilitate the sharing of expertise and the
optimization of resources between active community participants.
The Climate Action Plan was developed to help the local sustainability network accelerate their
action with a focus on:
Climate change mitigation through GHG emission reductions that
tical
communitys quality of life. Climate change adaptation is recog
concurrent step.
Achievable action between now and 2020.
Initiatives that fall within the jurisdiction of local organizations within Waterloo Region.
A collaborative approach that encourages local governments and community leaders to
actively participate in a harmonized process to develop and implement the plan.
Efforts to engage people across Waterloo Region in a conversation about the future of local
climate action helped focus the Plan around a clear vision, goals, opportunities, and a course of
action for implementation. Input was provided through a number of opportunities including a
Steering Committee, four sector-focused Task Forces, consultations with Council and municipal
staff, public forums, an online discussion board, and social media. In addition to ongoing
partnership development amongst lead organizations, the majority of community engagement
activities occurred between June 2012 and September 2013. Further detail on community
participation is outlined in Section 2 of the Climate Action Plan document.
GHG Reduction Target
After consultations with the partners and the community through
. This
a community GHG reduction target of 6% is recommended for Waterloo Region
target was established using an approach that strikes a balance between a level that is
achievable, based on initial GHG reduction estimates for actions and opportunities identified to-
date, and also ambitious as it requires innovation and quantification of future initiatives.
In order to achieve this GHG reduction target of 6%, our community will need to work together
to implement actions that collectively reduce at least 256,000 tons of COe. This number
2
accounts for the fairly high rate of growth expected in our region and the difference between the
2020 Enhanced Business-as-Usual Forecast level and a level that is 6% below the 2010
baseline level. This is the equivalent of taking over 56,000 cars off the road between now and
2020. The options and implications of establishing a specific target are explained in Section 3 of
the Climate Action Plan document. A summary of the baseline, business-as-usual and targeting
is outlined in the figure below.
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Waterloo Region Baseline, Forecast, and Community GHG Reduction Target
GHG Reductions
4,000,000
from Provincial
Coal Phase-Out &
3,500,000
Vehicle Fuel
Efficiency
Standards
3,000,000
Local GHG
2,500,000
Reductions
Estimated to Date
2,000,000
(4% below baseline
after actions and
opportunities are
1,500,000
implemented)
1,000,000
Remaining
Forecasted GHG
Emissions
500,000
0
201020152020
% above or below Total 2020 tonneage Difference from baseline
(tonnes COe)(tonnes COe)
baseline
22
Business-as-usual 4,239,187
17.5% above + 625,316
forecast
Enhanced business-as-3,653,403
1% above + 39,532
usual forecast
3,613,871
2010 baseline 0% 0
Waterloo Region
3,397,039
community reduction 6% below - 216,832
target
IPCC minimum
recommended
25% below 2,710,403 - 903,468
worldwide reduction
target
Action Plan
The Action Plan to help achieve the target emphasizes improvement in the five focus areas that
were identified as the highest sectors of community GHG emissions in the inventory. The five
focus areas include: homes, workplaces, transportation, agriculture & food, and waste. Through
the collaborative effort to prepare the plan, specific actions w
or under consideration, opportunities or further considerations. Appendix B of the Climate
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Action Plan includes the list of actions along with the lead partner, collaborators, status/timing,
impact potential and connection with existing plans and policies. Appendix C of the Plan
provides a summary that highlights the estimated impact of the actions over a ten year period.
No budgetary costs or resource requirements are currently identified for any of the actions.
Although many actions are already budgeted and underway, some require further quantification
and discussion and some may or may not be applicable to each partner. As a result, one of the
recommendations is to refer any financial and resource considerations for specific actions to
each partners budget and business planning processes.
Potential Focus Actions for Kitchener
In addition to undertaking further work on Kitcheners corporate GHG reductions (as outlined
and suggested above), there are a few other initiatives from the Climate Action Plan that are
currently under consideration. These include: LED streetlight retrofit, Green Building
Standard/Checklist, and zoning by-law vehicle/bike parking requirements. Two potential
partnership actions that should be further explored include a
with Kitcheners involvement
feasibility study for integrated community energy solutions and any actions related to the
Industrial/Commercial/Institutional sector as that component could lead to significant
GHG/energy reductions. An important ongoing focus area should always include community
education and awareness, such as the recommended neighbourhood carbon footprint
campaign.
Acknowledgement
community, the pending
Although the Climate Action Plan was prepared for the regional
submission to FCM will include confirmation that these milestones are now complete for the City
of Kitchener as well as the other partner municipalities. In order to do so, this step, including the
adoption of a target, requires a supporting Council resolution.
Community Milestones 4 and 5
There are different options for how to proceed with implementation and monitoring of the
Climate Action Plan. Everyone involved in the project to date is
some form of a collaborative approach
which helps leverage each partners contribution and
leads to bigger success. Several objectives and suggested activities are presented in Section 4
of the Action Plan.
Section 4 of the Action Plan outlines the implementation strategy along with the monitoring and
reporting processes that will achieve measurable results and empower our community to
achieve PCP Milestones #4 (Implementation) and Milestone #5 (Monitoring and Reporting)
through these key objectives:
A. Collaborate among municipalities and other organizations to optimize collective impact.
B. Move actions towards implementation, advance opportunities and identify new initiatives
for consideration.
C. Engage the community by facilitating open dialogue and increasing stakeholder
participation in local programs.
D. Monitor action and report measurable results
The Terms of Reference for any implementation group requires confirmation, but at minimum it
would include preparing cost details, implications and timing of each action, the tracking of
initiatives and an update to Councils before 2020 to see if we are on target.
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ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
These initiatives directly support the Community Priority of Environment. Taking significant
steps towards implementing the recommended actions to reduce community and corporate
Greenhouse G to be a community that
as emissions would help achieve the vision for Kitchener
focuses significant energy and resources on becoming more enviro
further address each of the strategic directions in the Environ
Lead by Example
Make Living Green Easier
Partner in Protecting our Natural Environment
Continue with the Plans
The strategic d
irection, Continue with the Plans, asks whats next?. This C
initiative is an example of one of the next directions. The chart appended to the Climate Action
Plan includes a column that identifies how each recommended action directly relates to
Kitcheners strategic and master plan documents.
All of the initiatives outlined in this report also help implement each of the themes within the
he Environment,
Citys Strategic Plan for tare related to several actions regarding greening our
built environment from the Kitchener Growth Management Strategy, are linked with many of our
master plans and help implement strategic policy direction.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The Community Milestones will have financial and staff resource implications. Some of the
action items with the Climate Action Plan are either led by others, completely undertaken by
-ed budget. Some
others, may only require inkind support, or are allocated within an approv
action items are currently not in an approved budget and would require consideration as part of
future Capital and Operating Budget processes.
The Corporate Milestones will also have financial and staff resource implications. The
recommendation to refer any future action on this initiative to the Corporate Business Planning
process is intended that the future project include an assessmen
resource and timing) implications.
Furthering the work on the recommended actions, along with utilizing the collaborative process,
may help leverage additional financial resources from other levels of governments, through
certain existing or future grant programs or perhaps from other organizations. Potential funding
sources are identified in Section 4 of the Climate Action Plan document.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The primary tool utilized during the Climate Action (Community M
COLLABORATE. Working groups included interested representatives from community and
business groups, utilities, schools, universities and residents along with politicians and staff from
each municipality. Additional engagement methods were utilized, such as INFORM and
CONSULT. The Environmental Committee endorsed moving forward wit
th
at their October 17, 2013 meeting.
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CONCLUSION:
A range of stakeholders representing various aspects of the community helped create the
Climate Action Plan which is intended to take targeted action that will result in GHG emission
reductions. Implementation of the plan will contribute to community development, a strong local
economy, reduce the costs of infrastructure renewal, increase energy security, and improve air
quality and overall public health. The potential effect of the Plan is illustrated below.
GHG Reductions
(such as: air and water quality,
Other Environmental Benefits
waste management and human health)
Cost Savings
ings
Value Added to
Local Economy
Employment
Michael May, Deputy CAO
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Community Services Department
Attachments:
Appendix A FCM Acknowledgement of City of Kitchener Fulfillment of Corporate Milestone 1
of the Partners for Climate Protection Program
Appendix B Climate Action Plan (Community Milestone 2 and 3 of the FCM PCP Program)
www.sustainablewr.ca/climateactionplan
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A Climate Action Plan
For Waterloo Region
LIVING SMARTER IN 2020
October 2013 | Full Version
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A STORY OF COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
There have been a great number of contributors both individual
Action Plan and we are proud to recognize them all by name in th
community collaboration that has resulted in this plan would not
the ClimateActionWR lead organizations and partners, the resourc
and passion offered by contributors from across Waterloo Region.
continue to do to contribute to making Waterloo Region a communi
Grantors
Lead Organizations & Partners
reep
Green Solutions
2
@ClimateActionWR
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What is this
Document?
Climate change is a challenge we often view on a global
scale. And while theres no question that international
measures are necessary, solutions are also needed
at national, provincial, and local levels. As you read
this, other cities and towns across Canada are already
decreasing their total greenhouse gas emissions
in order to reach a community reduction target. To
join this nation-wide effort, the Climate Action Plan
was developed with input from people across our
community in order to provide Waterloo Region with
a relevant course of action for addressing climate
change at a local level.
With this Climate Action Plan acting as a direction for
our collective efforts, Waterloo Region is set to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions by 6% from our 2010
levels, while at the same time improving the quality of
life across the region. The recommendations, actions,
and strategies detailed in the following pages outline
how we can work collaboratively to achieve this target
by 2020. Take a look. Because if you live or work in
Waterloo Region, youll nd that youre an important
part of this solution too.
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ClimateActionWR.ca
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Table of Contents
A Story Of Community Collaboration2
What is this Document?3
Table of Contents4
Glossary of Terms5
Message from the Steering Committee6
1.0 The Challenge and the Opportunity8
1.1 How Does Climate Change Affect Our Community?10
1.2 What Impact Does Our Community Have on Climate Change?11
1.3 Part of a Nation-Wide Effort: Partners for Climate Protecti11
1.4 The Benets of Local Action 12
2.0 Were Ready to Respond in Waterloo Region14
2.1 Leveraging Our Communitys Strengths 16
2.2 The Time is Right For a Community Climate Action Plan17
2.3 The Climate Action Plan: Developed through Community Collab18
2.3.1 The ClimateActionWR Collaboration18
2.3.2 How the Community Helped Shape the Plan20
3.0 A Plan for Action 22
3.1 Our Community Carbon Footprint 24
3.2 Action Plan Framework26
3.3 Community GHG Reduction Target28
3.4 Focus Areas ()29
Homes, Workplaces, Transportation, Agriculture & Food, Waste
3.4.1 Another GHG Consideration: Water Management45
3.5 Actions & Opportunities46
3.5.1 Identifying Reduction Initiatives46
3.5.2 Approval and Implementation of Actions48
3.5.3 Recognizing Movement Builders49
3.5.4 Benets Analysis of Select Actions & Opportunities50
3.5.5 Spotlight on Promising Initiatives for Waterloo Region51
4.0 Implementation Strategy58
4.1 Implementation and Ongoing Collaboration60
4.2 Monitoring and Reporting Process62
4.3 Funding for Implementing Actions65
4.4 Our Opportunity is at Hand66
Contributors to ClimateActionWR (2009-2013)68
Notes & References 70
Photo Credits72
Art Contest Winners73
Appendix A Chart of Actions, Opportunities & Further Considera74
Appendix B Estimated Impacts of Select GHG Reduction Actions &85
Opportunities Over 10 Years (2011-2020)86
Appendix C Supplementary Resources, Including Community Engagement Report
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@ClimateActionWR
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Glossary of Terms
Approaches based on evidence Carbon Dioxide: a naturally occur-
Best Manage-CO
2
and conventional wisdom that are ring gas, also a by-product of burn-
ment Practices
regarded as the most effective and ing fossil fuels, land use changes
practical for delivering superior and other industrial processes.
results and desired objectives.
Carbon Dioxide equivalent: the gas
COe
2
The capture and long-term storage against which other greenhouses
Carbon
of carbon dioxide or other forms of gases are measured to describe
Sequestration
carbon through natural or articial how much global warming a given
processes.type and amount of GHG may
cause.
A long-term change in the weather
Climate Change
Federation of Canadian
FCM
conditions of a region, due to natu-
Municipalities
ral processes or human-induced
changes in the composition of the
Greenhouse Gases: gases that
GHG
atmosphere.
contribute to the greenhouse effect
by absorbing solar radiation and
Actions taken to decrease the
Climate Change
warming the Earths surface.
GHG emissions that cause climate
Mitigation
change.
Gigajoules: a measurement unit for
GJ
energy
Actions taken to lower the risks
Climate Change
posed by the consequences of
Adaptation
Industrial, Commercial, and Insti-
ICI
climatic changes.
tutional: includes manufacturing
establishments, goods and/or
The benets that result from
Co-benets
services, retailers, and for-prot
programs or policies being imple-
and not-for prot institutions (e.g.
mented for various reasons at the
schools, hospitals, places of wor-
same time.
ship etc.).
The added investment that would
Infrastructure
Partners for Climate Protection: a
PCP
be required to maintain infrastruc-
Decit
network of Canadian municipal
ture at the appropriate service
governments that have committed
levels and in a good state of repair.
to reducing greenhouse gases and
acting on climate change.
An economy that has a minimal
Low-Carbon
output of greenhouse gas (GHG)
Economy
emissions.
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ClimateActionWR.ca
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MESSAGE FROM THE STEERING COMMITTEE
A COMMON DIRECTION FOR LIVING SMARTER IN 2020
The document youre holding had its genesis in 2009. Perhaps tt
School of Environment, Enterprise and Development that a number
in-person. Many individual phone calls and conversations had bee
there that many of us found one another in the same room. During
an impromptu meeting spot was chosen, and a circle was formed wh
a shared interest of many across Waterloo Region. So we got to w
Fast forward four years and it is no surprise then that this Cliss
our community including the Region and Cities of Cambridge, Kiy
institutions; the business community; passionate residents, the
this plan are not solely the responsibility of our local governm
complemented by those of other stakeholders and community leader
This action plan represents a signicant step towards improving a
global effort to reduce the impacts of climate change. It brings
actions. It provides a platform for focusing and strengthening ostory
- Waterloo Regions transition to a low-carbon economy - is stil
This is a story were excited to be a part of. Even more though, a course
for living smarter not just in 2020, but beyond.
Onwards,
ClimateActionWR Steering Committee
2009 - 2013
Mike MorriceMary Jane PattersonDavid Roewade
Sustainable Waterloo RegionREEP Green SolutionsRegion of Waterloo
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@ClimateActionWR
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This is a story were excited to be a part
of. Even more though, were excited that
youre a part of it - together, well chart a
course for living smarter not just in 2020,
but beyond.
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ClimateActionWR.ca
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1.0 The Challenge and
the Opportunity
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@ClimateActionWR
4 - 19
Throughout Waterloo Region a strong sustainability network is ta
involved in this network include governments, businesses and org
professionals, academics, and engaged community members. This gr
the very people needed to accelerate region-wide action on clima
of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere increases, m
to the earths surface, which raises the temperature of the air,
the conditions in which we live 1. To respond to this challenge in Waterloo Region, various
programs and solutions are already working to mitigate the growt
adapt to the effects of climate change that were experiencing
To leverage these various efforts, this Climate Action Plan was
direction for municipal and community leaders to take action tha
reductions. There is a signicant opportunity to work collaborat
GHG reduction target, strengthening our local economy, reducing
renewal, increasing energy security, and improving the public he
Region. As we reach our goals through continued action, well r
Climate Action Plan: Waterloo Region as an innovative and forwa
we work together to achieve environmental sustainability.
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ClimateActionWR.ca
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1.1 HOW DOES CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECT OUR
COMMUNITY?
Over the past few years, the local effects of global climate Conservation Authority predicts that local trends will move
change have become increasingly clear. Climatic changes towards longer, warmer, drier summers and shorter, wetter
are contributing to factors affecting our living conditions, winters with more frequent melts 6. These seasonal shifts are
such as the increased frequency and severity of extreme affecting both our societal and natural systems. Take local
weather events, like heat waves, intense rainfall, strong agriculture - an important economic driver and Waterloo
winds, and temperature uctuations above or below the Regions largest land use activity 7 which is currently facing
long term average 2,3. Weather effects such as these are challenges due to month-to-month weather variability as
being felt worldwide from droughts across the horn of part of long-term climatic trends. During the 2012 growing
Africa 4, to Hurricane Sandy in New York City 5, to ooding season, summer-like temperatures arrived unexpectedly
in major Canadian centres like Calgary and Toronto. In July in March followed by colder temperatures in April. These
of 2013 at the same time that this Climate Action Plan unseasonable conditions caused permanent damage
was being developed - Waterloo Region experienced two to some crops, including a loss of approximately 90%
severe rainstorms that saw trees uprooted, cars and homes of Ontarios apple crop. Challenges like these, affecting
farming costs and practices, in turn impact our food prices
and the availability of local food options.
Tackling GHG emission reductions
is no longer only an environmental
The continued increase of GHG emissions at or above
current rates will cause further warming and spur changes
concern, but a nancial and a
during the 21st century that are very likely to be larger than
health care imperative that impacts
those experienced during the 20th century 8. These changes
are expected to create both nancial and health care
the development of prosperous,
concerns for governments at all levels. Between 1980 and
2004, the costs of damage due to climate change, such as
sustainable communities.
storm damage and ooding, totalled more than $1.4 trillion
worldwide 9; a number that will likely continue to increase.
damaged from falling debris, and widespread power outages. In addition, predictions affecting human well-being include
These storms came at a cost; our local utility companies changes to the range and transmission of infectious disease,
spent over $500,000 on cleanup and power restoration, food insecurity, increased health issues, and reduced
numerous claims were led with area insurance companies, access to safe water. A local study focusing on Waterloo
and some local businesses were forced to remain closed for Region urban centres 10 found vulnerable populations, like
an extended time due to ooding or structural damage. people experiencing homelessness, at even greater risk. For
local municipalities then, tackling GHG emission reductions
Climate change is also contributing to shifting seasonal is no longer only an environmental concern, but a nancial
conditions, which directly impact the way we live. A and a health care imperative that impacts the development
recent modelling exercise performed by the Grand River and maintenance of prosperous, sustainable communities.
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1.2 WHAT IMPACT DOES OUR COMMUNITY HAVE ON
CLIMATE CHANGE?
The Intergovernmental Panel on of individual residents and businesses, supporting policies and programming
Climate Change (IPCC) - in its latest when measured cumulatively, produce focused on climate change mitigation,
report released only days before this a signicant source of global GHG municipalities can take steps that
Climate Action Plan was nalized - emissions. directly impact local reduction levels.
concludes that it is now extremely likely
- at a level of scientic certainty over With municipalities having direct control Cities across the world are
95% - that human inuence has been or indirect inuence of approximately demonstrating that community-scale
the dominant cause of climate change 44% of GHG emissions in Canada, they actions lead to measurable GHG
since the mid-20th century.11 are well positioned to show leadership in reductions, cost savings through
reducing our national emissions levels 12. efciency, business investment, and
Waterloo Region currently has an Areas within municipal inuence that improvements to quality of life for their
opportunity to implement smart affect energy use and GHG emissions residents 13. It is this opportunity to
solutions across the community include building construction, local create positive impacts on both climate
that can mitigate the further effects land use, agricultural practices, change and community development
of climate change. Local action is transportation patterns, and economic that exists for Waterloo Region today.
critical, considering that the activities development. By implementing and
1.3 PART OF A NATION-WIDE EFFORT:
PARTNERS FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION PROGRAM
The ClimateActionWR collaboration is guided by the ve-milestone
(PCP) program, which is offered in partnership between the Feder
Governments for Sustainability. Through the PCP program, partici
network of more than 240 Canadian municipalities representing
reducing GHGs and acting on climate change. From 2008 to 2012,
tonnes of GHGs and $2.3 billion invested at the local level 14. Milestones associated with the PCP framework, and timelines fo
reaching these milestones in Waterloo Region, are shown in Figur
The PCP program encourages municipalities to create both a Corpo
municipal operations (e.g. municipally-owned facilities and eet
from all residents, businesses, and institutions in the greater
Kitchener, and City of Waterloo are all participating members of
achieve Community Milestones 1 to 3 together. Although the Towns
are not currently members of the PCP program, township staff and
this Climate Action Plan. Participating in the PCP program ensur
communities across Canada who are well down the path towards ach
Individually, the participating PCP municipalities
Partners for Climate Protection Program Milestones
Figure 1.1
are at various stages of completing their Corporate
PCP Milestones 1 to 3. While this corporate-
level work was started voluntarily through the
PCP program, as of 2013 municipalities are also
required under Ontario Regulation 397/11 of
the Green Energy Act to report on their energy
consumption and GHG emissions, and to develop
and implement a ve-year energy conservation
and demand management plan starting in 2014.
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1.4 THE BENEFITS OF LOCAL ACTION
A broad range of community stakeholders developed the Climate Ac
achieve a range of community benets and contribute to the commu
plan, our collective efforts will contribute to continued commun
the costs of infrastructure renewal, increasing energy security,gion.
Strengthening Our Local Economy
Mitigation projects, like those in this plan, encourage the grow
low-carbon economy by creating new jobs and boosting other relat
across Waterloo Region. The importance of fostering a local low-
is evident considering that:
The low-carbon economy is growing faster than the rest of the
economy, with annual domestic spending on low carbon goods and s
expected to rise from $7.9 million in 2010 to $36-60 billion in
on the impact of climate policies 15.
A recent study estimated that the local green economy has a to
businesses, with a value of $1.04 billion dollars generated 16.
A growing number of local organizations, representing more tha
Waterloo Regions workforce, are currently committed to GHG redu.
17
By implementing projects that achieve community sustainability
municipalities are better positioned to attract green sector com
skilled employees.
Reducing the Cost of Infrastructure Renewal and Adaptation
Investing in low-carbon infrastructure and programs that reduce
climate change, and produce cost savings is necessary to slow th
local infrastructure costs. Taking action to mitigate negative i
infrastructure is important considering that:
Various factors have contributed to the regions $265 million
decit and a persistent backlog of maintenance, replacement, and
expansion 18.
Climate change impacts increase the potential of rising infras
costs, such as changing stormwater management demands.
Smart solutions, like growing our communitys bike culture, re
signicant cost savings. For example, reducing parking spaces ca
savings from $1,341 to $4,007 per space in urban areas 19, while constructing
a one kilometre bike lane costs $35,000-150,000 compared to $690
a one kilometre vehicle lane 20.
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Increased Energy Security
Improving energy security in Waterloo Region ensures that a reli
source of energy is available to maintain the daily functions of
businesses. Managing our energy use and supply is essential cons
The electricity system is currently vulnerable to outages caus
weather events and strain during peak periods, which has direct
implications for residents and businesses.
Energy conservation is a valuable resource for maintaining a s
system as it defers the need to invest in new generation and tra
capacity. In 2011, at 3 cents/kWh, the cost to to deliver energ
programs across Ontario proved to be more cost effective than ot
of electricity infrastructure 21.
Conserving energy, enhancing local energy infrastructure, and
production within the regions boundaries provides our community
more control over where and how energy is generated, delivered,
consumed 22.
Improved Public Health and Air Quality
Local projects that encourage more active transportation, increa
use, and decrease emissions contributing to smog will result in
to air quality, healthy active living, and the increased well-be
Controlling factors affecting air quality and health lead to mul
the region considering that:
In 2012, 15 smog advisory days were issued in the Waterloo-Wel
region 23. The transportation sector is estimated to be responsible for 6
of the emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compoun
contribute to smog. Between 2002 and 2006, in Cambridge, Kitchen
and Waterloo, there were an estimated 932 hospital admissions fo
cardiovascular and respiratory problems related to exposure of t
contaminants 24.
Using active and low-carbon forms of transportation, such as w
biking, or public transit, increases personal health while avoid
that contribute to smog.
For example, by shifting travel to transit and out of private
transit project is anticipated to reduce annual Criteria Air Con
by 325 tonnes in 2031 (in addition to GHG reductions). This redu
local air pollutants is expected to decrease hospital admissions
health care system an estimated $10.5 million during the rst 25
the project 25.
As leaders across Waterloo Region use the recommendations in thi
Climate Action Plan to reduce GHG emissions, improvements to our
economy, infrastructure costs, energy options, and air quality w
In turn, new communities participating in the PCP program will l
our shared successes and implement their own local action plans
contribute to our nation-wide efforts towards achieving a positi
on climate change.
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2.0 Were Ready
to Respond in
Waterloo Region
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Even when the benets of local action are clear, taking steps to
change can seem like an ambitious goal. How can one community ma
progress towards reducing GHG emissions at a local level in a wa
an impact on the global scale? With our community leaders workin
implement a well-dened Climate Action Plan, Waterloo Region is
do just that. And by fostering community-wide participation to i
reaching our regions 2020 GHG reduction target is not only poss
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2.1 LEVERAGING OUR COMMUNITYS STRENGTHS
Waterloo Region is a diverse community that
of civic responsibilities between the two levels of municipal
demonstrates strong leadership in areas like technology,
government. In addition, Waterloo Regions geographic reach
manufacturing, entrepreneurship, agriculture, economic
stretches across both urban and rural landscapes and lifestyles.
development, education, arts, and culture. The region
range of governance expertise shown across Waterloo Region fro
is made up of three urban municipalities: Cambridge,
understanding both urban and rural interests, to the development
Kitchener, and Waterloo; and four rural townships:
of varying economic strategies, to the promotion of individual
North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich. With
community cultures creates a collective advantage when working
a current population of approximately 559,000 26, and
collaboratively.
an expected population increase to over 740,000 by
2031 27, Waterloo Region is one of the fastest-growing
Local leaders have a wide range of experience, including
areas in Ontario and is named under the provincial
practical project implementation, policy planning, and community
growth plan legislation as a place to grow.
programming that will help propel Waterloo Regions sustainabili
efforts forward. By sharing expertise, focusing innovations on s
Waterloo Regions political structure is composed of
solutions, and bringing these solutions to the community at larg
the seven local area governments mentioned above, as
we are well positioned in Waterloo Region to reach our climate
well as a regional government. This provides a unique
action goals and to inspire similar action in other municipaliti
context for governance decisions and for assignment
across Canada.
WELLESLEYWOOLWICH
WATERLOO
KITCHENER
WILMOT
CAMBRIDGE
NORTH DUMFRIES
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2.2 THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR A COMMUNITY CLIMATE
ACTION PLAN
The leadership of the regions sustainability network is continu
governments, businesses, organizations, and community members. W
successfully implement a community-wide Climate Action Plan. As
action also increases. To that end, this Climate Action Plan wasrts
with a focus on the following scopes:
Climate change mitigation
through GHG emission reductions that contribute to our
communitys quality of life. Climate change adaptation is recog
step.
action between now and 2020
Achievable .
local
Measures that fall within the jurisdiction of organizations within Waterloo Region.
A collaborative approach
that encourages local governments and community leaders to
actively participate in a harmonized process to develop and impl
Building on existing
resources and unifying
our efforts
The Climate Action Plan is interconnected
with a number of existing policies, programs,
and activities led by the community and local
governments. The plan aims to build on these
existing resources as well as support the
development of new ones. Through the Climate
Action Plan, policy directions such as those in
municipal Ofcial Plans, Transportation Master
Plans, or Environmental Strategic Plans for example
- are coalesced from a climate change perspective
and connected with the need for the implementation of
actions, community programs, and projects.
Concurrently, the Climate Action Plan will bring new and existin
programs to the larger sustainability network, so that all local
actions are recognized in achieving our community GHG reduction
Ultimately, the plan provides a collective direction for everyon
from as part of a unied effort.
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2.3 The Climate Action Plan:
DEVELOPED THROUGH COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
2009-20102011EARLY 2012
Resources were acquired to hire a full-time The lead organizations, area municipalities,
Project Manager.and local energy utilities worked together
In March, The Climate Collaborative to complete a community-scale GHG
partnership between REEP, SWR, and the emissions inventory and forecast in
Region of Waterloo became ofcial.
May. This work achieved Community
Partnerships were solidied with the Cities Milestone 1 of the PCP program for all
of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo. four participating local municipalities (City
REEP Green Solutions (REEP), Sustainable
$180,000 in initial funding was granted
of Cambridge, City of Kitchener, City of
Waterloo Region (SWR), and the Region of
from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Cambridge and Region of Waterloo).
Waterloo worked closely with a University of
The Kitchener and Waterloo Community The collaborative secured an additional
Waterloo student research group to assess
Foundation, which leveraged resources
$140,000 in funding from the Green
the feasibility of developing a community
from the municipalities and in-kind support Municipal Fund to continue work into the
GHG action plan and reduction target.
from REEP and SWR. action planning phase.
2.3.1 The ClimateActionWR Collaboration
ClimateActionWR is a growing collaboration between
different sectors, disciplines, and interests across the
Waterloo Region community. A collaborative approach to
this work has been vital to facilitate the sharing of expertise
and the optimization of resources between active community
participants. REEP Green Solutions (REEP), Sustainable
Waterloo Region (SWR), and the Region of Waterloo have
and expected benets of developing a community-wide
worked together as lead organizations for the collaboration
GHG reduction target and action plan, and concluded that
since 2011, along with valuable partnership from the Cities of
there was strong rationale for pursuing this work locally in
Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo, and local electric and
a collaborative manner.
natural gas utilities.
REEP and SWR began to reach out to other community
The roots of this work lead back to a research project
stakeholders, including the Region of Waterloo, where
undertaken in 2009-10 by four University of Waterloo
a commitment had just been made in April 2010 to
Environment & Business students under the direction of REEP
address corporate and community emissions through
and SWR. The project focused on exploring the feasibility
the PCP program (see Section 1.3). The Cities of
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is a collaboration between local
ClimateActionWR
organizations and community members who support
the implementation of a region-wide Climate Action
Plan. When implemented, the plan will leverage
Waterloo Regions collective efforts towards achieving
a community-scale GHG reduction target that leads to
higher quality of life throughout the region.
LATE 20122013
In June, a stakeholder workshop Advice and input was sought from
was held and community community stakeholders through the
engagement efforts ramped up Community Forum Series in March, ongoing
throughout the rest of the year. Task Force meetings, an online discussion
The Climate Collaborative board, and social media.
underwent a transformation to The Climate Action Plan document was
launch ClimateActionWR as its prepared and presented to all four Regional
new public presence, including and City Councils for approval in Fall of
a new logo, website, and social 2013. If approved, this plan will encompass
media. Milestone 2 (setting an emissions reduction
The kick-off meeting for the
target) and Milestone 3 (developing a local
sector-focused Task Forces was action plan) of the PCP program.
held in November.
municipalities to gather the local expertise and usage data
Kitchener and Waterloo had also previously signed on to
necessary to complete a community-scale GHG Emissions
the PCP program and at the time Cambridge was actively
Inventory and Forecast, as detailed in Section 3.1.
developing a Corporate Sustainability Plan (and would
later follow this with a resolution to join the PCP program
With area municipalities and local energy utilities backing
as well). This created a natural alignment between the
the vision of a community-wide climate action plan, the
ambitious idea initiated by the non-prot organizations and
collaborative launched its new public presence in late 2012:
the commitments made by local municipalities to pursue a
ClimateActionWR. A website and social media channels
community-scale climate action plan.
were used to grow the collaboration and foster two-way
communication with the community at large.
In early 2011, REEP, SWR, and the Region formalized their
partnership as The Climate Collaborative and hired a full-
time Project Manager to secure the nancial resources
and partnerships necessary to take the initiative to the
next level. Key to the growing collaboration was the
participation of the local electric and natural gas utilities.
In 2012, staff from Cambridge and North Dumfries Hydro,
Kitchener Utilities, Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro, Union Gas, and
Waterloo North Hydro all became important contributors.
They worked together with the lead organizations and area
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2.3.2 How The Community Helped Shape The Plan
Through efforts to engage people across Waterloo After the plan is complete, building continued engagement in the
Region in a conversation about local climate
community is a key objective for the implementation phase. The
mitigation, feedback was received that helped focus
following considerations should be made in order to learn from
the Climate Action Plan around an overall vision,
the existing engagement efforts:
goals, ideas for actions, and an implementation
Regular reporting on results will be critical in continuing to
strategy. In addition to ongoing partnership
build momentum and interest within the community.
development among lead organizations, the majority
of community engagement activities occurred
Sustained effort and creative techniques will be needed to
between June 2012 and September 2013 through
facilitate open dialogue among a wider range of people in
the four interconnected phases of engagement
the community.
shown in Figure 2.1. Input was provided through a
Strengthening relationships that have been forged to date
number of avenues as detailed in Table 2.1, including
with key community stakeholders, task force members, and
a Steering Committee, four sector-focused Task
partners will be a vital part of implementation.
Forces, consultations with Council and municipal
The full Community Engagement and Outreach Report can found
staff, public forums, an online discussion board,
in Appendix C.
and social media.
Phases of Community Engagement & Developing the Plan
Figure 2.1
Developing the Engagement Strategy
JUNE - SEPTEMBER 2012
In June 2012, a workshop was held to determine how the community
of the Climate Action Plan. Following the workshop, the project
help achieve Milestones 2 and 3, created the project website, an
Dening a Vision and Goals
SEPTEMBER 2012 - MARCH 2013
The four Task Forces were formed in the fall of 2012 and were r
development of a vision for local climate action and goals to he
vision and goals was also offered by the community-at-large in s
Community Forums and through online channels. The nal vision s
Action Planning
JANUARY - JUNE 2013
The Task Forces, community members, project team, and municipal
exercise to determine actions currently underway as well as pote
efforts. These lists were then assessed and rened by a technica
while also collecting reference cases and quantifying the estima
details on the Actions and Opportunities can be found in Section
Finalizing the Plan and Implementation Strategy
JUNE - SEPTEMBER 2013
Based on all in-person and online conversations held with commun
recommendations, the project team synthesized the information in
and input was gathered from local politicians, municipal staff,
the target-setting approach and implementation strategy. In Sep
prepared for review and approval by the four Regional and City C
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A Snapshot of Community Participation
Table 2.1
ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIESTIMINGPARTICIPATION
Met every 3-4 weeks Mike Morrice (SWR Executive
Provided overall strategic direction to the project
Steering Committee.
from Fall 2010 to pres-Director), Mary Jane Patterson
manager, facilitation team, and technical team, and gave nal ap
ent(REEP Executive Director),
material developed.
David Roewade (Region of Wa-
terloo Sustainability Ofce)
Ongoing1 full-time project manager (3
Staff provided direction to volunteers and the
Staff and Volunteers.
years)
consulting team and provided overall project management. Volunte
4 interns (4 months each)
vided support and capacity for implementation of the engagement
6 dedicated volunteers (ap-
prox. 1,200 hours total)
Group meetings approx. 8 staff regularly involved
Municipal partners supported the action plan
Municipal Partners.
once per quarter
development by steering the initiative through municipal process
providing feedback and inputs through group meetings, document r
and other correspondence.
June 201250 participants
Two identical workshops were held to gain
Stakeholder Workshop.
input to the process of community engagement that would contribu
the development of the Climate Action Plan.
5 meetings between 46 Task Force members from
Four Task Forces were established with members from the
Task Forces.
November 2012 and 28 organizations
following sectors: Residential Energy, Industrial, Commercial &
June 2013
(ICI) Energy, Transportation, and Agriculture & Food. Through m
and document review members advised on developing the vision and
goals, identifying and prioritizing actions, and rening the imp
strategy.
March 2013130 participants
Three community forums were held across the re-
Community Forums.
gion. The forums provided background information and perspective
a panel of community leaders, and offered an opportunity for inp
vision, goals, and actions in the Climate Action Plan.
November 2012 pres-2,100 unique website visits
Online tools were utilized on an
Project Website and Social Media.
ent(13,537 page views)
ongoing basis to share information about the project and to rece
126 Facebook likes
back. (www.climateactionwr.ca and @ClimateActionWR)
250 Twitter followers
November 2012 July 46 registered users, 110 ideas
. An interactive tool was used to seek public
Online Discussion Board
2013were posted and received 307
input on the draft vision, goals, strategic directions, and acti
votes and 62 comments.
January 2012 Fall Ongoing
Presentations were made to key stake-
Meetings and Presentations.
2013
holders including municipal staff committees and Citizens Envir
Advisory Committees. Information was shared through presentation
booths at a variety of community events, and by working with a g
level class at UW.
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3.0 A Plan for Action
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By working together, local municipalities and community stakehol
the Climate Action Plan in motion to achieve the outlined action
and goals that can result in a 6% reduction of local GHG emissio
Through their collaborative climate leadership, Waterloo Region
increased efciencies in homes, workplaces, transportation, agri
waste management that lead to stronger local economies and impro
of life across the region.
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3.1 Our Community Carbon Footprint
In May 2012, ClimateActionWR completed a community-wide GHG emis
Region. Local governments, non-prot organizations, and electric
expertise and usage data necessary to complete the inventory, us
measurement, we can now monitor progress towards achieving our c
In 2010, the activities of residents and businesses in Waterloo
6.67
36 million
.
OR
tonnes of GHGs
per person
tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (C0e)
2
WHERE DO THESE GHG EMISSIONS COME FROM?
Waste
1
%
44,112
Tonnes COe
2
Source:
Methane from Landll
Transportation
40
%
1,467,858
Tonnes COe
2
Source:
Fuel Consumption
Agriculture
& Food
5
%
167,053
Tonnes COe
2
Source:
Methane from Livestock
WorkplacesHomes
3222
%%
1,152,389 782,459
Tonnes COeTonnes COe
22
Source: Source:
Energy use in Industrial,Energy use in
28
Commercial & Institutional Buildings Residential Buildings
Complete details on the Inventory & Forecast results, methods, a
the Inventory & Forecast Report and a related technical data man
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WHAT DOES 3.6 MILLON TONNES LOOK LIKE?
1.5M of C0
e
2
ALTHOUGH WE CANT ACTUALLY SEE GHGS IN THE AIR, IF WE
VISUALIZED THE 3.6 MILLION TONNES OF C0 PRODUCED IN
e
2
2010 SPREAD OUT AS A BLANKET OVER THE LAND AREA OF
WATERLOO REGION, IT WOULD BE 1.5 METRES THICK.
IF WE DONT TAKE ACTION...
WHAT WILL OUR EMISSIONS BE IN 2020?
17.5
%
Higher
If no local actions are implemented to
reduce GHG emissions between now and
2020, and population continues to grow
1.1
at projected rates, then our footprint will
%
grow concurrently by 17.5%. This is the
Higher
Business-As-Usual Forecast.
But wait, good news! We know that
emissions will go down based on
improvements to the provincial electricity
grid and vehicle fuel efciency standards.
After taking these factors into account,
emissions are expected to grow to 1.1%
above baseline by 2020. This is the
Enhanced Business-as-Usual Forecast.
THE IMPORTANT QUESTION IS: HOW MUCH LOWER DO WE NEED TO GO?
Committing to a local reduction target below the Enhanced Busine
community can contribute to a global effort to reduce the impact
16142
Round-trip drives Year of electricity use BBQ propane
to Torontoin the average hometanks
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3.2 Action Plan Framework
The Climate Action Plan was developed on a framework that enable
te
to take collaborative action towards reducing GHG emissions acro
co
plan ensure that collaborating partners are equipped with the go
e
plan
a region-wide GHG reduction target by 2020.
he cross-section of community members developing the Climate Act
T
Waterloo Region as an innovative and forward-thinking community w
VISION
chieve environmental sustainability
a.
To move us towards this vision, the Climate Action Plan acts as
reducing community-wide GHG emissions through the following appr
Building on existing community resources,
Facilitating collaborative opportunities,
APPROACHES
Pursuing multiple success factors, such as a stronger economy,
enhanced quality of life, and overall environmental sustainabili
Measuring and monitoring our progress, and,
Committing to continuous improvement.
As actions are taken throughout the region to reduce GHG emissiotitkthhtthitdG
GHG reduction taret provides a uidepost for measurin our collective proress ove
ggggr
COMMUNITY GHG
time p.28
().
REDUCTION TARGET
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The plan aims to improve ve ocus areas that were identied as the hihest sectors o
fgf
communit GHG emissions in the inventor and forecast results (p. 29). These areas also cove
yyr
areas of municipal manaement includin stationary enery consumption (e.. electricity),
gggg
FOCUS AREAS
transportation plannin and land use, and water and waste manaement inrastructure. The
ggf
ve ocus areas are: homes, workplaces, transportation, ariculture & ood, and waste
fgf.
Partners can use the oals listed within each focus area to direct their efforts towar
gg
GOALS & STRATEGIC
pecic objectives, while the strateic directions describe potential approaches for workin
sgg
oward these oals
tg.
DIRECTIONS
An ongoing list will provide an overview of actions that are curifihlbildii
y partner oranzatons, opportuntes tat sow oo potenta to create oca reuctons,
bgiiiihhgdillldi
ACTIONS &
and further considerations to kee on the radar for future reduction efforts . 46. The initial
p(p)
OPPORTUNITIES
scopin of local actions and opportunities has helped us to understand
g
ards the goals and community H
wGG
towards the goals and community GHG reduction target.
to the collaborative success of th
Key to the collaborative success of the Climate Action Plan is tye
that sets out supportive overnance and administrative structures, includin a Leadership
gg
IMPLEMENTATION
Committee with representation from across the community. Throuh reular monitorin and
ggg
STRATEGY
reporting, local municipalities can gauge the effectiveness of c
address areas for improvement, and celebrate our successes alongp. 58.
)
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3.3 COMMUNITY GHG REDUCTION TARGET
a community GHG reduction
After consultations with the community and municipalities conven
target of 6% below 2010 levels by the year 2020
is recommended for Waterloo Region. This target strikes a bala
between a level that is achievable, incorporating initial GHG rete,
and a level that is ambitious, requiring continued innovation an
To achieve this GHG reduction target of 6%,
our overall emissions in 2020 will need to be at
Waterloo Region Baseline, Forecast, and Community
Figure 3.1
a level that is 842,148 tonnes lower than what is
GHG Reduction Target
expected under a business-as-usual scenario.
Figure 3.1 illustrates the relationship between
the baseline, forecast levels, and the reduction
target. As shown in Figure 3.2, reductions
resulting from federal and provincial regulations
are expected to account for two-thirds of this
amount, or 585,784 tonnes. To build on this
signicant foundation and meet the 6% target,
our community will need to work together to
implement local actions that collectively reduce
at least 256,364 tonnes.
This is the equivalent of taking over 56,000
cars off the road between now and 2020. As
an indication of our capacity to meet this target,
the actions and opportunities that can be
quantied in Appendix A are estimated to have
a total GHG reduction potential of 184,739
tonnes. There is signicant potential within
this region to develop the partnerships and
stimulate the innovation required to achieve the
additional 71,625 tonnes in reductions needed
to meet the target. These reductions beyond
those that are currently quantied in the action
plan could be achieved through increased
uptake of existing programs or implementation
of new initiatives.
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Additional considerations behind the recommended 6% by 2020 targ
even though there is signicant population growth occurring in
This is an absolute reduction target
include 100,000 more people in 40,000 households 29 and almost 80,000 new vehicles owned locally by 2020 30.
make it challenging for governments, businesses, institutions,
Current economic constraints
signicant capital in the short-term at a time when many existin
to move from concept to implementation, when reductions are rea
It can take a signicant amount of time
example, between now and 2020, the action that is expected to de
Regional Transportation Master Plan (RTMP) for which planning be
As introduced in Section 2.2, the scope of this plan applies to
jurisdiction of local organizations in Waterloo Region. It is re
important as well. Recommendations from scientic assessments
Change (IPCC) conclude that a level of mitigation in the range
developed countries. This recommended level of mitigation includ
local control (such as those discussed in this plan) as well as avy
industrial production). Our collective work represents the measu
overarching global reduction goals.
Expected Sources of Reduction to Meet 6% Target by 2020
Figure 3.2
Achieving a 6% reduction
-----------------------------------------
by 2020 is our rst
71,625 t
GHG reductions due to provincial
step towards mitigating
coal phase-out & federal vehicle fuel
the growth of GHG efciency standards.
emissions. As we take Local GHG reductions if actions and
184,739 t
opportunities quantied in this plan
action across the region,
are implemented.
585,784 t
the reduction target will
Local GHG reductions needed
act as a guidepost for
through increased uptake of existing
programs or new initiatives.
measuring our collective
progress over time.
Total Reduction from 2020 BAU to Target Level of 6% Below Baseli
3.4 FOCUS AREAS
The Climate Action Plan aims to improve ve focus areas that wer
as the highest sectors of community GHG emissions in the invento
Homes
page 30
forecast results. These areas also cover areas of municipal mana
including stationary energy consumption (e.g. electricity), tran
Workplaces
page 34
planning, land use, some agricultural activities, and water and
management infrastructure.
Transportation
page 38
The ve focus areas
Agriculture & Food
page 42
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Waste
page 44
4 - 40
HOMES
Focus Area:
2%
Propane
%
4
Fuel Oil
%
27
Electricity
%
22
Homes
Natural Gas
67%
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omes are major energy consumers in Waterloo Region,
.... accounting for 50% of our communitys natural gas
.... consumption and 30% of electricity use.
As we go about our daily activities, this energy is consumed for
cooling, and using electrical power (for everything from lights
hair dryers). As a result, 22% of total local GHG emissions in W
2010 came from the use of electricity and fuel consumption (natu
and fuel oil) in our homes.
This makes pursuing energy efciency opportunities in the reside
rethinking the ways we supply our homes with energy a key focus
Action Plan. By improving energy efciency, residents can experi
comfort and decreased direct energy costs. Indirect benets wil
local air quality through reduced smog caused by energy producti
infrastructure costs and strengthened energy security through di
energy supply, and increased employment and volunteer opportunit
with energy retrot activities.
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HOMES
Focus Area:
GOALS
To reduce average energy use in To increase local and renewable energy
households while maintaining or increasing supply to the residential sector.
home comfort.
Progress in this focus area will be tracked by measuring at mini
sector; and energy use per household (GJ/household).
STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
5
1
Increase residents literacy on energy
Encourage energy conservation through
usage levels and how they translate to
behaviourial change and equipment upgrades
environmental and economic impact in order
that enable residents to require less energy in
to stimulate a culture of conservation.
the rst place.
6
2
Promote the development of a more compact
Increase the efciency of existing building stock
urban form with higher residential densities
through retrot and adaptive reuse.
and a broader range of housing types (e.g.
3
Encourage practices for energy efciency that
apartments and other multiple dwellings can
are beyond the Ontario Building Code when
achieve energy savings through shared walls
new homes and multi-residential buildings are
or centralized heating and cooling systems).
constructed.
7
Use nancial mechanisms such as incentives
to stimulate more extensive retrots and
4
Build capacity by educating and connecting
implementation of renewable generation
the range of involved industry partners,
technology in residential buildings in order
including: contractors, developers, inspectors,
to drive deeper and longer-lasting energy
real estate agents, and home improvement
savings.
stores.
CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY PLANS & POLICIES:
Regional/Municipal Ofcial Plans
Regional/Municipal growth management strategies
Utility energy conservation targets
Kitchener Strategic Plan for the Environment/City of Waterloo
For example, the Regional Ofcial Plan states, The Region and/o
occurring within the Urban Area is planned and developed in a ma
building designs and orientations that incorporate energy conser
31
renewable energy systems.
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EXAMPLE ACTIONS & OPPORTUNITIES:
The following are examples of initiatives that have been identi
Utility Incentive Programs:
Reduce natural gas and electricity consumption through various i
the residential sector.
Green Building Standards, Toolkits and Checklists:
Investigate strategies for encouraging new developments and buil
construction and performance.
Renewable Energy Generation:
Work with local energy distributors to explore and develop renew
renewable energy districts and cooperatives, and application of
Local Improvement Charge (LIC) Financing for Energy Retrots:
Use an existing municipal tool called Local Improvement Charges
renewables for homeowners.
For a complete description of actions and opportunities, see sec
THERE IS A GOOD FOUNDATION TO BUILD ON
Thousands of residents across Waterloo Region have already taken
steps to reduce energy use in their homes. Many have received e
assessments through the ecoENERGY program from local delivery
agents like REEP Green Solutions 32, which has evaluated approximately
10% of the regions eligible housing stock (single/semi/row hous
some multi-unit residential apartment buildings).
By following the energy-saving recommendations, these residents
now collectively reducing over 21,000 tonnes of CO emissions and saving
2
an average of $385 per home per year in energy costs. Other res
improved their energy efciency through programs offered by the
and natural gas utilities distribution companies, such as the Ho
Program that reduces the energy burden for those on a limited in 33.
Victoria Common in a central neighbourhood of Kitchener offers a
residential development including solar energy, geothermal heati
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WORKPLACES
Focus Area:
he places where we work make up a signicant portion of the
.... built environment in our community.
There are electronics, lighting, and equipment that need power a
to heat and cool. Our workplaces - a mix of industrial, commerci
institutional (ICI) buildings - account for 50% of overall natur
70% of electricity use, and a resulting 32% of total local emiss
CO2e). An important focus area of the Climate Action Plan is to
to decrease the carbon impact of workplaces. There are opportuni
costs for business owners and local institutions, and to get emp
working in healthier, lower impact, more productive environments
By supporting sustainability leadership in workplaces across Wat
also continue to differentiate our community as one with a thriv
creating opportunities to add new jobs in the green technology a
securing more stable energy sources for local industry, and attr
the fast-growing green economy.
Propane 4%
9%
Fuel Oil
Electricity
%
32
Workplaces
A living wall and natural lighting are
Natural Gas 45%
two of the main sustainable features
at Cambridge City Hall, which is a
LEED Gold certied building.
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WORKPLACES
Focus Area:
GOALS
To increase the number of local To increase Waterloo Regions prole among
organizations measuring and publicly national leaders in the research, development, and
reporting their energy use and carbon sales and service of clean technology innovation
impact.and renewable energy.
To reduce average energy usage per square To increase the amount and diversity of local
meter in ICI buildings.energy supply to our regions workplaces.
Progress in this focus area will be tracked by measuring at mini
and energy use per square metre of ICI sector space (GJ/m 2).
STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
14
Continue to boost the literacy and action taken Facilitate energy conservation activities by
by all sectors of the business community in publishing sector-specic reference data,
response to the compelling business case for benchmarks and best practices, and by
sustainability and rising energy costs.providing supportive tools (e.g. technological,
nancial).
25
Enable and support local organizations to take Incentivize practices for construction and
up action by developing plans, setting GHG renovation that achieve energy efciency
reduction targets, and measuring their progress above the Ontario Building Code.
towards those targets.
36
Encourage a culture of information sharing and Celebrate leadership by sharing the
successes of rst movers and pilot projects,
support where local organizations have access
to input and guidance, shared knowledge, and and then translating those best practices into
collaborative opportunities.
mainstream use and larger uptake.
CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY PLANS & POLICIES:
Regional/Municipal Ofcial Plans Regional/municipal corporate sustainability plans (City
of Cambridge Corporate Sustainability Plan, City of
Local economic development strategies
Waterloo Environmental Strategy, Region of Waterloo
Environment Sustainability Strategy, Kitchener
Regional/Municipal growth management strategies
Strategic Plan for the Environment)
Utility energy conservation targets
Regional Corporate Strategic Plan
For example, the Economic Development Strategy for the City of C
promoting the Clean-Tech/Alternative Energy sectors as part of
be a green economy, and that to succeed in that economy it must
34
the pillar of ecological sustainability.
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EXAMPLE ACTIONS & OPPORTUNITIES:
The following are examples of initiatives that have been identi
Corporate sector reduction commitments:
Increase the number of organizations making GHG reduction commit
Initiative.
Utility Incentive Programs:
Reduce natural gas and electricity consumption through various i
the commercial sector.
District Energy Systems:
Conduct a district energy feasibility study to identify opportun
area as well).
Municipal (Corporate) GHG Reduction Plans:
Demonstrate municipal leadership by implementing Corporate Plans
owned facilities and eet.
Zero-Impact Sustainability Incubator:
Explore the potential for a zero-impact demonstration building t
sustainable building technologies, serving as a hub and spurring
growth across Waterloo Regions emerging sustainability cluster.
For a complete description of actions and opportunities, see sec
and Appendix A.
WORK HAS ALREADY BEGUN...
A signicant number of organizations across Waterloo Region are
the way towards increased protability, by reducing their carbon
and conserving energy across the ICI sector. For example, throug
Regional Carbon Initiative (RCI), more than 60 organizations, re
over 13% of the workforce in Waterloo Region, have already made
commitments to reduce their organizations carbon impact, or hav
do so. To-date, these commitments add up to 45,000 tonnes, or th
taking 10,000 cars off the road every year.
As a Pledging Partner of the RCI, Wilfrid Laurier University (WL
25% over the next 10 years. Towards this goal, WLU recently sub-
gas, and water meters - a project that was made possible through
Fund. The meters (
pictured above with Ray Robichaud, Director of Business and Faci
) feed utility information into an
Student Services and PISF board member, and Claire Bennett, Sust
energy management system as well as an online dashboard for the
institution, the University of Waterloo, has long been using dis
most recent energy and cost-saving project (proled on page 52) 3 of natural
gas and a GHG reduction of 4,200 tonnes of COe.
2
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TRANSPORTATION
Focus Area:
The Region of
Waterloos ION
adapted bus rapid
transit will launch in
2014-15, with light
rail transit service
beginning in 2017.
3%
Diesel
%
40
Transportation
Gasoline 97%
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eliable and efcient transportation systems are increasingly
.... recognized as the backbone of sustainable economies and
.... communities.
The environmental sustainability of those systems is a signican
consideration, which is demonstrated in Waterloo Region where th
transportation sector is the largest source of local emissions,
for 40% of total GHG emissions measured through local fuel consu
Whether its for business, work, recreation or social activities
transportation modes to move people and goods from point A to po
Increasing the number of trips we take by transit, bike, or by w
car helps us to live healthy, active lifestyles, decreases local
adverse health effects and reduces GHG emissions.
Councillor Berry Vrbanovic and Josh Joseph, Transportation
A growing bike culture:
Demand Management Coordinator, City of Kitchener (pictured above
tens of people who gathered throughout the summer of 2013 for Co
along the King Street sharrows in Downtown Kitchener.
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TRANSPORTATION
Focus Area:
GOALS
To increase the use of sustainable To increase the energy efciency and
transportation modes (e.g. transit, cycling, decrease GHG emissions from motorized
walking, carsharing, carpooling).transportation.
Progress in this focus area will be tracked by measuring at mini
sector; and fuel consumption per capita (litres divided by popul
STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
14
Reduce overall transportation demand and Enhance the sustainability of the
encourage lower commuting distances by transportation network by continuously
promoting a more compact urban form with a improving low-carbon mode options that are
diverse mix of land uses. considered to be safe, affordable, available,
and desirable.
2
Seek ways to improve the efciency of our
transportation system and move the most
5
Give priority to active transportation as a
people with the least amount of overall energy
viable travel option and also as part of a
required.
healthy lifestyle through efforts such as
developing active transportation routes and
3
Support technological developments and
integrated regional trails, and clearing trails
innovations that will provide lower-carbon
and sidewalks in the winter.
energy sources for motorized transportation
(e.g. alternative fuels).
CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY PLANS & POLICIES:
Regional/Municipal Transportation Master Plans
Active Transportation Master Plans
Trails/Pathway Master Plans
Infrastructure Master Plans
Air Quality in Kitchener Report
For example, the Regional Transportation Master Plan was develop
by providing and maintaining a transportation system that suppor
35
reduces transportation contributions to climate change.
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EXAMPLE ACTIONS & OPPORTUNITIES:
The following are examples of initiatives that have been identi
Regional Transportation Master Plan & Mode Shifting:
Continue implementation in order to achieve projected shifts in
vehicle (SOV) trips through increased use of public transit, act
Regional Electric Vehicle Charging Network Planning:
Support consumer adoption of 1,000 electric vehicles across the
stations, education and awareness, etc.).
Region-wide Anti-Idling Campaign/Bylaw:
Continue region-wide efforts to reduce vehicle idling time throu
Employer Commuting Outreach:
Establish TravelWise (currently in pilot phase) as a long-term p
to reduce SOV commuting.
Local Car Share System:
Expand privately-operated shared vehicle systems, such as Commun
personal vehicle ownership.
For a complete description of actions and opportunities, see sec
3.5 and Appendix A.
WERE ALREADY ON THE MOVE...
Over the past decade, a signicant amount of time and energy has
been dedicated to long-term transportation planning and active
transportation infrastructure investments in Waterloo Region. Th
been a steady increase in transit ridership growing from 10 mill
in the year 2000 to over 20 million in 2012 due to the iXpress,
passes for university students, expanded service areas and enhan
routes as well as more individualized marketing approaches.
Employers also play a signicant role in shaping employee travel
and the Region of Waterloos TravelWise program is an example of
initiative that is achieving success. The 20 TravelWise member o
represent over 23,000 employees across Waterloo Region, have rep
trips by transit, cycling, carpooling, walking, or teleworking.
in avoided annual fuel costs and avoid an estimated 8,100 tonnes
is another growing local resource with over 1,000 current member
supplement to personal vehicle ownership.
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AGRICULTURE &
Focus Area:
FOOD
ood is something we can all nd a common interest in. In Waterlo
.... Region and many other communities, there is a rapidly incre
.... interest in understanding where and how our food is produce
.... quality, and what the associated impacts are to our environ
.... economy and health.
The greenhouse gas impact of the local agricultural sector is es
data available from Statistics Canada regarding methane emitted
accounts for 5% of total local emissions (167,053 t COe).
2
Although the current methodology does not account for emissions
agricultural equipment, crop and fertilizer emissions, or the en
with importing/exporting food over long distances, these activit
sustainability. We can strengthen our local food security by op
of local food production on the farmland available to us in Wate
reduce the environmental impact of the food choices we make, we
opportunities associated with a robust local food production, pr
system from farms to forks. Proper manure management and land
agricultural resources helps to protect water quality and sensit
as well as potentially mitigating climate change 36.
%
Agriculture
5
& Food
Methane
from Livestock
100%
and Manure
Management
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GOALS
To increase the land area used To increase the use To better understand and quantify
as agricultural land, parks and of agricultural waste the non-livestock agricultural
natural areas to capture its value for as input to local and impacts on local emissions in
contributing to a healthy ecosystem, renewable energy order to identify more actions and
including carbon sequestration.production.opportunities for improvement.
Progress in this focus area will be tracked by measuring total G
at minimum. Other indicators will need to be developed for this
STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
4
Encourage locally-led low impact and/
1
Protect against development of agricultural
or renewable energy production in the
agricultural sector.
land.
5
Optimize the efciency of local food
2
Support conservation and rehabilitation of
production on available land.
ecological systems in rural areas.
6
Increase the number and diversication
3
Provide opportunities for education and
of producers, processors and distributors
experiential learning related to food production
of local food to integrate consumers
and associated GHG and environmental
and producers across urban and rural
impacts.
communities.
CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY PLANS & POLICIES:
Waterloo Region Food Charter 37
Regional Ofcial Plan
SEEDS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SOWN
For over a decade, the Rural Water Quality Program 38 has been offered in
partnership through the Region of Waterloo and the GRCA. This pr
supports farmers and land owners in optimizing manure management
practices and proper nutrient management which lessens the releaO
2
emissions from fertilizers and protects water quality. The Foodl
Buy Fresh program is an existing community collaboration that su
food producers by connecting them to local consumers. The Regio
Food Systems Roundtable contributes as a networking and policy-m
working on building a strong voice for a healthy food system in
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WASTE
Focus Area:
In 2010, 1% (44,112 t COe) of total GHG emissions from
2
activities within Waterloo Region resulted from the solid waste
that enters into our local landll. These emissions are in the f
of methane, which is a potent GHG that has over 20 times the
global warming potential as carbon dioxide (CO). Organic waste
2
is the primary source of methane (CH) generation in a municipal
4
landll as it decomposes in an oxygen-deprived (anaerobic)
Methane
100%
from Landll
environment. When the same organic materials decompose in
an oxygenated environment such as a backyard composter or
%
1
Waste
the municipal organics digester methane gas is not produced.
GOALS
Optimize use of existing waste management infrastructure,
diversion programs, and community services.
Explore alternative energy recovery options from waste.
Manage landll operations to minimize emissions.
Progress in this focus area will be tracked by measuring total e
divided by community population).
CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY PLANS & POLICIES:
The Region of Waterloo is currently in the midst of developing a
be approved in 2014. As the scope of the master plan addresses t
the Climate Action Plan may be able to better address some of th
reduction. Waste is also connected to the policies within the Re
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esena nergy
RidtilE
EFFORTS ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY...
It is estimated that around 40% of household garbage is made up
material which represents a great opportunity to prolong the lif
landll space, reduce odours from the landll and decrease GHG e
The Region of Waterloos organic green bin diversion program i
approximately 132,000 households. Currently, around 10,000 tonne
waste is diverted from the local landll annually and turned int
In 2012, over 5,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions were avoi
residential organic waste from the local landll via the Region
3.4.1 ANOTHER GHG CONSIDERATION:
WATER MANAGEMENT
The workplace focus area reports the GHG emissions from the indu
which includes local water management activities such as pumping
2010, approximately 80 million kilowatts of electricity and 800,
management in the region (excluding distribution), which transla
With increasingly stringent water quality standards and continui
water use is expected to grow in Waterloo Region.
Municipalities can help mitigate water-
related increase in energy consumption
RAIN workshop
and emissions by implementing water
participants put the
conservation and efciency initiatives
nishing touches
and by measuring progress using specic
on a rain garden at
Lauriers Aboriginal
indicators such as GHGs per unit of
Student Centre.
pumped/treated water. The Region of
Waterloo is also exploring modications
to a few of its wastewater treatment plants
with potential GHG emission reductions from
improved facility operations such as combined heat
and power generation using biogas.
Community actions are also important for reducing
treated water use and related energy needs, as well
as implementing practical solutions to help reduce the
quantity and increase the quality of water that ows
off of properties (e.g. rain barrels, cisterns, permeable
paving and rain gardens). In many cases, these
climate change adaptation practices also help reduce
the need for treated water by capturing and re-using
rainwater instead.
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3.5 Actions & Opportunities
The Climate Action Plan identies specic initiatives (programs,e the
plans goals and the community GHG reduction target of 6%. These
further considerations.
3.5.1 Identifying Reduction Initiatives
A broad list of potential reduction initiatives was rst gatherecal
team recommendations based on best management practices (BMP) re
screening process was developed. In the rst step, a set of ques
relevant to the scope of the plan, including:
Can it be implemented between 2011 and 2020?
Does it have the potential to reduce GHG emissions within the
Is there authority to implement it by (an) organization(s) wit
Does this action have a measureable outcome with the potential
In the second step, a different set of questions (outlined in Ta
initiatives into the categories of: actions, opportunities, or
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are distinct because they are currently being implemented or
Actions
investigated by one or more specic lead partners. Actions may i
initiatives that are already underway and have potential for con
growth (e.g. Regional Carbon Initiative, Community Car Share), a
new initiatives that have demonstrated feasibility for implement
Streetlight Retrots, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure). Other ch
an action include identication of several enabling or supportin
a timeline for implementation, and ideally, a quantied GHG redu
and estimated costs. An initial list of actions identied to-dat
Region is provided in Appendix A and will be updated on an ongoi
are initiatives that have strong potential for creating GHG
Opportunities
reductions and for which there are solid reference cases and bes
follow from other communities (e.g. District Energy Systems, Gre
Standards). These initiatives require further local feasibility
partnership development (including commitment from a lead partne
to become implementable actions. Some of the most promising oppo
for Waterloo Region are detailed in Section 3.5.5, and the full
in Appendix A.
A list of will also be maintained to capture
further considerations
initiatives and ideas suggested by stakeholders and for which th
for contributing to GHG reductions is unclear. With more support
and commitment from a lead partner, these suggestions could be d
into actions. In some cases, a further consideration could be ap
complementary tool paired with an action or opportunity to incre
(e.g. a neighbourhood carbon footprint campaign could be used to
the uptake of a nancing program offered for home energy retrot
of the further considerations that have been identied to-date f
Region is provided in Appendix A and will be updated on an ongoi
during the implementation phase.
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Screening Process Questions for Categorizing Actions, Opportunit
Table 3.1
Screening Process ActionsOpportunitiesFurther
QuestionsConsiderations
Is a lead partner(s)
Lead partner(s) Potential leads and Not identied
xx
actively implementing or
currently implementing or collaborators are identied
investigating this action?
investigating
Estimated local GHG
Estimated based on local Estimated based on Not estimated
x
reduction potential?
data, where possiblereference cases, where
possible
Are there reference cases
Yes, reference cases Solid reference cases Not collected
x
to follow from other
wiil be used where to follow, but further local
communities?
necessary for actions still in feasibility assessment
investigation stagerequired
Have the costs and potential
Identified and quantified, In some cases, ballpark Not estimated
xx
funding sources for the
where possibleestimations based on
action been identied?
reference cases
In addition to the main questions outlined above, when consideri
implementation, other questions that are important to consider i
Is there currently a strong case for co-benets (environmental
Does this initiative align with the goals of other municipal a
Has community and stakeholder support been demonstrated?
Has there been thought of how the behavioural change necessary
achieved?
Does pursuing this initiative demonstrate leadership and innov
3.5.2 Approval and Implementation of Actions
The Climate Action Plan and reduction target will be recommended
municipalities within Waterloo Region. However, it is important
that still require further development and project-based approva
implementation between now and 2020, this approval will occur th
making and budgetary process of each lead partner (and collabora
does not fully quantify costs or assign specic responsibilities
strategy will help support the process of moving actions into ap
This initial scoping of local actions and opportunities helped t
reduction target by understanding our communitys potential to a
lists referenced in Appendix A are meant to represent a snapshot
that are currently reducing GHGs in Waterloo Region, or show pot
These lists are not static and will be continuously evaluated, u
Leadership Committee begins the implementation, monitoring and r
It is also important to recognize that the Climate Action Plan d
part of a larger sustainability network of organizations and ini
actions related to climate change mitigation will be continuousl
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3.5.3 Recognizing Movement Builders
Contributing to the success of our local sustainability network re
of Waterloo Region and to make long-term societal changes. These
directly result in quantiable reductions, but are critical for
required for other actions to be successful. Examples of signic
The Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW) organization th
and energy conservation education to a wide demographic range;
TransitionKW that facilitates conversations about our communit
Alternatives Journal that contributes through their ability to
events; and
that focuses on fostering biodiversity and strong forest enviro
rare
These activities - and many more - demonstrate that our communit
our political leaders, citizens, businesses and institutions loor
daily lives and work.
Grade 4 & 5 students at
Blessed John Paul II Catholic
Elementary School learn
about how to save energy
at home from instructor
Lien Lien during a CREWs
Kids and Community Power
$aving classroom training
session in early 2013.
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3.5.4 Benets Analysis of Select Actions & Opportunities
When the connections are made between local activities, emission
reductions are closely related to improvements in our local qual
1.4. To examine benets on an initiative-specic level, an analy
Opportunities. This analysis considered the multiple economic, e
these actions are brought to implementation, and the ndings are
Thirteen initiatives were assessed through an econometric model
savings, and labour requirements for implementation, as well as le.
Highlights of the econometric study include:
$350 million value added to local economy
Generation of almost 5,400 person years of employment
$11 million in local taxes
Local household and business savings of over $21 million
The re-spending of annual savings is expected to sustain an addil
base by $375,000 annually. Overall, this analysis concluded that
initiatives can also boost the local economy by creating meaning
incomes, and amplify the strength of the local economy. These re
reduction reasons, the benets can multiply or snowball - to
environmental impact across the community (see Figure 3.3).
GHG Reductions
Other Environmental Benets
(Such as: air and water quality, waste management, and human hea
Cost Savings
Value Added to
Local Economy
Employment
E
Snowball effect of Waterloo Regions
Figure 3.3
Climate Action Plan
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3.5.5 Spotlight on Promising Initiatives for Waterloo Region
As introduced in Section 3.5.1, through the process of developin
and opportunities identied that have strong potential for contrrther
feasibility assessment and partnership development (including co
the year 2020. Four of these promising initiatives are spotlightption
and a sample of the impacts experienced by other communities whe
Development of a District Energy System
Green Building Standards, Toolkits, and Checklists
Local Improvement Charge (LIC) Financing for Energy Retrots
Hybrid Taxi Incentive Program
These initiatives in particular were selected primarily based on
availability of BMP case study research in a Canadian context, axt
of Waterloo Region. All of these were identied by participants
particular, Green Building Standards and District Energy Systems
community members present at the ClimateActionWR Community Forum 39.
In addition to those highlighted in detail below, there are manyon
planning process. One example includes the provision of electric
of these zero tail-pipe emission vehicles. This also improves loas
electricity is a cleaner power source at a fraction of the cost
energy generation such as run of river hydro-electricity, solar
buildings. Local utilities and other stakeholders are actively e
can improve energy security for the community, a critical elemen
phase, it will be imperative to continue collaborative discussion
stakeholder support for implementing these and other promising iis
plan.
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DEVELOPMENT OF A DISTRICT ENERGY SYSTEM
Background and Overview:
In Canada, 60 to 80 percent of the energy consumed by
households and community buildings is used for space
and water heating 40. In a more-conventional type of
system, the generation of heat is decentralized, meaning
it is produced independently onsite by a gas-red boiler or
furnace. In a district heating system, heat is generated at a
single cogeneration (combined heat and power) plant and
distributed in a heat-carrying uid to a group of buildings
via a network of underground insulated piping (as shown
in Figure 3.4). A heat exchanger, located in each serviced
building, connects the customers heating system to the
district heating network.
District energy (DE), or district heating systems, have
several advantages compared to conventional systems.
District heating systems often provide higher performance
and better pollution control than conventional in-building
Schematic of inputs and outputs for community
Figure 3.4
systems. These systems tend to be best suited to densely-
district energy system
populated urban areas, but can also be optimized for less
dense areas where heat loads can be shared between a
cluster of two or more adjacent buildings (e.g. sport and recrea
parks, etc.). The other advantage of DE systems is that they can
fueled by traditional fossil fuels, such as natural gas, or by aiofuel,
geothermal or solar energy. Excess waste energy from industrial
the amount of heat and the temperature at which it is released i
In August 2013, the University of Waterloo completed the largests
EnerSmart conservation program. Through the project, waste heat h
then provides heat through a district network to 65 buildings on 3 of natural
gas per year resulting in an annual GHG reduction of 4,200 tonnee.
2
Trevor Kanerva
(second from left),
chief engineer at University
of Waterloo, hosts Sarah
Brown (ClimateActionWR),
Jackie Caille (Union Gas) and
Hugh Cumming (Union Gas) for
a tour of the new heat recovery
energy conservation project
on campus in August
2013.
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Reference Cases:
As of 2008, there were approximately 80 district heating network
and Markham 41. Between 2009 and 2012 this number has grown, with many distri
in partnership with municipal governments, including Calgary, St
Evidence from established district energy utilities suggests tha
subsidiary or joint venture organizations. Markham District Ener,
has operated a district heating system in Markham Centre since 2
include two additional energy plants, and in 2012, the utility cct
energy grid in Markham East. The City of North Vancouvers award
similar success since it began operations in 2003, and continues
to its downtown system each year. This can become an added econo
businesses looking to locate in areas where this DES infrastruct
a modular manner.
As a GHG reduction strategy, district energy has signicant pote
size and scale of these projects tend to result in large annual l
to medium gas-red system to upwards of several thousand tonnes
and/or renewable energy systems. That being said, district energ
outside nancing in the form of senior government contributions
and/or private sector investments. However, the capital, replace
connect to a DES are less expensive than owning and operating th
Sampling of District Energy Reference Cases in Canada
Table 3.2
PROJECTOPERATIONAL COSTENERGY SOURCE GHG REDUCTION VS.
SINCE(CAPACITY)CONVENTIONAL HEATING
(TONNES COE/YR)
2
Lonsdale Energy Corporate 2003$8,000,000Natural Gas (6 MW), 4,070
(North Vancouver, BC)supplemented by solar
thermal
Revelstoke Community 2004$7,000,000Biomass (1.5 MW), with 3,200
Energy Corporation propane backup (1.75
(Revelstoke, BC)MW)
Centre in the Park 2005$8,500,000Natural Gas (9 MW)1,100
Community Energy System
(Strathcona County, AB)
Southeast False Creek 2009$30,000,000Sewage heat recovery 7,500
Neighbourhood Energy Utility (2.7 MW), Natural Gas (16
(Vancouver, BC)MW)
Regent Park Energy Inc. 2009$60,000,000Natural Gas 8,000+
(Toronto, ON)(11 MW in 2009; 30 MW
in 2016)
Next Steps for Exploring this Opportunity in Waterloo Region:
Conduct a district energy feasibility study to identify opport
undertaken by other Canadian municipalities, this type of assess
$200,000 - $300,000 with up to 50 per cent of these costs eligib
assessment would identify cost of operation, the type of energy
emission reduction potential.
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GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS, TOOLKITS, AND CHECKLISTS
Background and Overview:
In a rapidly growing community like Waterloo Region, achieving c
actions that attempt to limit or offset GHG emissions associatedl
developments within the community. Accommodating new residents a
emission levels. In this context, many municipalities are beginn
building checklists and/or guidelines to encourage new develop
and performance standards. Strategies vary from one jurisdiction
building standard is to provide incentives for developers that v
practices. These incentives can take the form of reduced develop
the City of Torontos, explained below), density bonusing (i.e. ted
density), or an expedited review process for buildings that meet
Reference Cases:
Green building standards and sustainability screening processes
adopted by a variety of Canadian municipalities, both large and
the City of Toronto adopted the Toronto Green Standard, which is
set of performance measures with supporting guidelines for susta
and building design. The standard, which applies to all new low-
to high-rise buildings, requires all new planning applications t
compliance with a set of minimum (Tier 1) environmental perfor
measures. Applicants also have the option of voluntarily adoptin
higher environmental performance measures outlined within the st
2), in which case they are eligible for a Development Charge Re
with $85,000 from FCMs GMF covering just over a third of their
Cities of Brampton, Richmond Hill, and Vaughan are currently wor
to develop sustainability guidelines for development and redevel
projects. The metrics will not only aim to reduce energy consump
emissions, but will also help ensure the appropriate and efcien
well as promote water conservation, waste reduction, improved mo
connectivity, and enhanced natural heritage systems and urban fo
unique cooperative partnership will allow each of the partner mu
to move towards being carbon neutral and help develop a consiste
guidelines across the three municipalities. Other notable exampl
building standards include the City of Vancouvers Green Homes P
and Higher Buildings Policy, the City of North Vancouvers Densi
Program, and the Town of Canmores Sustainability Screening Proc
This 1890s triple brick building at 40 King
Street in Waterloo was gutted and retrotted
to achieve a 70% energy use reduction.
Next Steps for Exploring this Opportunity in Waterloo Region:
Review existing green building standards, toolkits, and checkl
other communities to identify the most appropriate option for th
Once a preferred approach (or short list of preferred approach
developed, test it using workshops with stakeholders. The requir
during the workshops.
Additional studies or peer reviews should also be conducted to
To develop this project, funding options should be explored su
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HYBRID TAXI INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Background and Overview:
Gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles are being used increasingly by,
save money and reduce GHG emissions. Unlike battery-operated ele
pack that requires regular charging, hybrid electric vehicles (H
engine. The electric motor stores energy in batteries, which red
fuel consumption. Since the batteries are charged using a regene
hybrid vehicles do not require additional charging infrastructur
HEVs use considerably less fuel than conventional vehicles. For
is approximately 8.9 L/100 km, whereas the 2010 Toyota Camry Hyb
L/100 kma reduction of 36 per cent.42 In this context, hybrid vehicles are well-suited to Canadas t
average eet vehicle can travel upwards of 100,000 km per year.43 Hybrid taxis are now commonplace in many Canadian
cities, particularly in Metro Vancouver and British Columbias C7
requires all new taxi vehicles operating within these regions toor
less for midsized vehicles).
Reference Cases:
According to regional licensing data, there are approximately 33
some taxi companies, such as Kitchener City Cabs, have begun inc
vehicles operating within the region are conventional Toyota Cam
Crown Victoria full-size vehicle models. An incentive program th
taxi vehicle operators to advance their eet transition to low-e
models could therefore achieve considerable fuel savings and GHG
reductions. For example, if 280 of the 333 taxi vehicles operati
region (85 per cent 44) were converted to hybrid models, annual fuel savings
would be an estimated 983,500 L of gasoline and $1.3 million in
at current retail prices, with a corresponding GHG reduction of
per year.
The purpose of an incentive program, which could take the form o
Hail a Hybrid from Climate Change Centrals
licensing fees 45 for taxi operators that use hybrid or low-emission vehicles,
taxi incentive program in Alberta.
would be to offset the higher capital costs associated with purc
vehicles. Based on previous incentive programs offered by the go
Quebec, and Manitoba, as well as two hybrid taxi pilot programs
hybrid taxi incentive program would most likely need to be in thost
to implement an incentive program within Waterloo Region could t
Next Steps for Exploring this Opportunity in Waterloo Region:
Review different types of taxi incentive programs currently of
opportunities, barriers, and costs in order to assess the type o
Explore potential funding sources that could support the imple
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LOCAL IMPROVEMENT CHARGE
FINANCING FOR ENERGY RETROFITS
Background and Overview:
With the end of the Federal ecoEnergy incentive in 2012, residen
efcient. While a limited number of utility incentive programs ring
not only our local contractors and suppliers, but also our progr
At the end of October 2012, municipalities became empowered to t
community GHG emissions. The provincial government amended the O
Improvement Charges (LICs) to be used to nance energy retrots,
property. LICs are already used by municipalities to nance capi
and sewers. By expanding the use of LICs to cover energy improve
energy use and GHG emissions.
In a residential LIC nancing program, municipalities cover the
voluntarily agree to have the retrot work done. Homeowners repa
bill over 10-20 years, allowing the utility bill savings to helpcost.
Because the nancing is tied to the property and not the homeown
new owner at the time the house is sold. Homeowners also have thhe
house is sold if preferred.
The LIC nancing mechanism offers a new way for people to nance
barriers namely the high upfront costs and longer payback peri
However, the nancing itself is just one piece of a larger progr
would act as a single portal, combining access to attractive na
and energy auditors, and integration with existing electric and
The program could achieve increased uptake via a community-scale
and champions, word of mouth testimonials from peers, and on-the
excitement needed to motivate action. Paired with an attractive
increased impact; the Changing the Climate in Cully initiative w
more uptake using a community-scale approach versus surrounding
for energy upgrades.46
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The solar thermal heating
system installed at the
REEP House for Sustainable
Living is an example of an
energy-saving technology
that homeowners could add
to their property through the
LIC Financing Tool
Reference Cases:
The LIC nancing counterpart in the United
States is known as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
nancing. Multiple American jurisdictions have launched resident
or commercial PACE programs over the last ve years. Examples in 47:
The Sonoma County Energy Independence Program which launched i
over 1,800 residential projects, totaling over $60M in nancing
The PACE HERO program in Western Riverside County launched in
applications totaling $105 million in nancing, with 1,368 compl
Since LIC nancing for energy improvements became possible in On.
Thanks to a project called Collaboration on Home Energy Efcienc
Toronto Atmospheric Fund and led by the Clean Air Partnership, O
tools and templates to locally adapt. Experience in Canada is ev
Halifax Regional Municipality launched a turn-key LIC nancing
installing 1,000 solar water heating systems on residential prop
The City of Toronto, in part thanks to the work done by CHEERI
2013 48. The program will include both energy and water upgrades, with
multi-unit residential (with 1000 units total) participating.
Next Steps for Exploring this Opportunity in Waterloo Region:
Allocate staff time at interested municipalities to explore th
Convene a multi-stakeholder Working Group to advise on aspects
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4.0 Implementation
Strategy
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With the effects of climate change continuing to impact the qual
Waterloo Region, our strongest recourse is to act now. By formin
Committee with cross-community representation and assigning a de
Plan Manager we will be well positioned to reach our GHG reducti
This recommended leadership team will coordinate the implementat
monitoring, and reporting activities happening concurrently thro
that enable our community to achieve PCP Milestone #4 (Implement
and Milestone #5 (Monitoring and Reporting) through these key ob
A.
Collaborate
among municipalities and other organizations to
optimize collective impact.
B.
Move
actions towards implementation, advance opportunities, and
identify new initiatives for consideration.
C.
Engage
the community by facilitating open dialogue and increasing
stakeholder participation in local programs.
D.
Monitorreport
action and measurable results.
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4.1 IMPLEMENTATION AND
ONGOING COLLABORATION
The Implementation Strategy outlines the governance and administ
structures that will help move proposed projects into action in
to fulll the goals of this plan and ultimately meet our communi
GHG reduction target. The strategies in this section focus on th
rst three objectives listed on the previous page. Strategies
for the fourth objective are outlined in Section 4.2:
Monitoring and Reporting Process.
KEY OBJECTIVES:
To achieve measurable results we need to focus on the following
OLLABORAT
CE
AMONG MUNICIPALITIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO OPTIMIZE
A
OLLECTIVE IMPACT.
C
o ull achieve successul implementation we need to optimize our collective local capac to pursue action
Tfyfy
and track proress over time. To do this we will leverae the knowlede, resources, and leadership o the
gggf
partnerships established to-date throuh the limateActionWR collaboration. Municipalities will continue to
gC
ork alonside local enery utilities, academic institutions, conservation authorities, anor
wggf-
prot sector partners to reach our community H reduction taret.
GGg
MOV
E
ACTIONS TOWARDS IMPLEMENTATION, ADVANCE OPPORTUNITIES, AND IDEN
B
NEW INITIATIVES FOR CONSIDERATION.
trateies to achieve this objective will help identify the proposed ac
Sg
based on their abilit to result in successful implementation, multiple benets, and mH reductions
yGG
etween now an 2020. ctons w e avance an re-prortze on an onon ass accorn to evovn
bdAiillbdddiiidgigbidiglig
circumstances and new develoments. As actions identied in the Climate Action Plan are imlemented,
pp
opportunities will be advanced based on the completion o background research, easibility assessments,
ff
and further partnership development. The Plan Manager and Leader
stakeholders on an onoin basis to identiy new potential initiatives or urther consideration and evaluation.
ggfff
ENGAG
E
THE COMMUNITY BY FACILITATING OPEN DIALOGUE AND INCREASING
C
STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL PROGRAMS
.
ontinued external communication and community engagement is nece
C
existing momentum that has been achieved through the action plan
to enaement tools and orums, stakeholders can contribute to an open and onoin dialoue reardin
ggfggggg
action implementation and exploration o opportunities. Facilitatin continued community conversation is
fg
also intended to stimulate appreciation or each individual stakeholders role in reducin emissions and thus,
fg
encourae their participation in local prorams
gg.
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ACTIVITIES
that will help us meet these objectives:
1. Continue coordination among municipalities in order to levera
A
a communty staeoers nvove.
llikhldild
2. Mobilize a rane o community stakeholders as active participants in the plannin, implementation, and monitorin o actio trou
Agfggfnshgh
communty partnersps
ihi.
3. Establish a Leadership ommittee, with representation from across sectors of the communiic direction o the
ACg
f
limate Action Plan and drive implementation forward.
C
4. Assin overall plan implementation to a Plan Manaer who will work alonside the Leadership ommittee to lead the onoin coornaton
AgggCgg
dii
of implementation, monitorin, and reportin tasks. In addition, the Plan Manaer will manae limateActionWR communications an
ggggCd
acilitate partnership development amonst stakeholders as required to oster onoin implementation o actions and advancemen o
fgfggftf
opportuntes.
ii
B1. Lead an iterative assessment process through the Leadership ommittee including preparation of status updates on implementn n
Ctaioad
advancement o opportunities accordin to work completed, evolvin circumstances, new inormation, and partnership development
fggf.
B2. upport lead partners to develop action implementation plans whic action-specic
Sgsub-
committees where none already exist; conductin technical and leal feasibility assessments; ainin community feedback; nn
()ggggd
ig
and enain implementin partners; and preparin business plans and/or nancial analyses alon with securin required resources
ggggggg.
B3. Facilitate workin roups to move opportunities forward on an as-needed basis as idePln
gg
a
Manager. Working groups which may be established on a sector-f
advancement of opportunities by explorin research and development of the concept, rallyin community interest, ndin and enain
gggggg
potential implementin partners, and atherin advice from subject matter experts and reference cases
ggg.
C1. Develo and maintain communication tools to raise awareness about the Ct ll
puoca
49
prorams, provide opportunities to submit information (such as throuh an online actions ma), and celebrate proress bein made
ggpgg
on local H reductions
GG.
C2. Provide a point of contact to address inquiries, ideas, and lets.
C3. Host community events to re-enae the community-at-lare in action plannin and implementation by sharin proress to-date and
gggggg
facilitatin open dialoue on the key opportunities that could move forward into action.
gg
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4.2 MONITORING AND REPORTING PROCESS
KEY OBJECTIVE:
To achieve measurable results we need to focus on the following
MONITORREPORT
ACTION AND MEASUREABLE RESULTS.
D
To substantiate our community efforts, a process of monitoring a
whether the collective actions being implemented are achieving p
reduction target of 6% by 2020. Monitoring and reporting - which
overall Implementation Strategy - includes activities and proces
progress is being made, identify where course corrections are ne
reporting occurs with key audiences.
ACTIVITIES
that will help us meet this objective:
D1. Monitor and collect results of community actions from lead presulting
impact (quantiable GHG reductions and related environmental, ec
initiatives will be housed within a comprehensive database and s
efforts should be prioritized, as well as to promote engagement
analysis, outputs and reporting audiences for this process is pr
D2. Report and share results periodically with City and Regionalf community
actions and implementation progress as gathered through D1 - w
periodically, and incorporated into existing reporting processes
highlight signicant successes and gaps, by evaluating performan
reporting may also be incorporated into the community events pro
ACTIVITIES
The Following will help us meet these objectives:
D3. Develop the capacity and commitment to conduct a full re-intowards the
target. Although, as noted above, its important to monitor the inventory process
that provides the big picture information that is necessary touction
target. As all of the necessary data for a re-inventory becomes tory of 2014 for
example could be completed in the 2015/2016 timeframe. After thesh of the
plan will be necessary to re-align the plans vision, goals, and beyond 2020.
The updated inventory should be compiled, to the highest degree
develop the baseline emissions inventory. This will help to ensuand
behaviour within the community rather than methodological discre
process, steps have been taken to ensure that the baseline GHG i
activity estimates that are relatively easy to access and that wn
outlined in a comprehensive Inventory Data Management Manual, whe
for future inventory replications. A summary of the inputs, analided in
Figure 4.1.
D4. Submit progress reports to the Partners for Climate Protectimelines
in Table 4.1, progress reports and results will be submitted to on for
the Region of Waterloo, City of Cambridge, City of Kitchener, antion
will allow participating local municipalities to apply for approentory and
showing evidence of other ongoing monitoring efforts will qualif).
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Proposed Monitoring And Reporting Timelines
Table 4.1
SIGNIFICANT CHECKPOINTS
2013201420152016201720182019202020212022
Approval of Action Plan and Reduction
X
Target (Milestones 2 - 3: Nov./Dec. 2013)
Set Implementation Strategy into motion and
X
seek approval for Milestone 4 (D4)
Monitor implementation of actions (D1)XXXXXXXXX
Complete re-inventory using 2015 data (D3)XX
Submit report to FCM for Milestone 5 (D4)X
Complete re-inventory using 2020 data (D3)
and full refresh of plan to re-align goals and XX
actions and reassess target beyond 2020 (D5)
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Processes for Annual Monitoring Versus Periodic Re-Inventorying
Figure 4.1
Periodic Monitoring and Collecting Results of Periodic Re-Inventorying of
Community Actions (D1)Community GHG Emissions (D3)
Who is Involved:Information/Data:Who is Involved:Data:
Plan ManageEst. GHG reductionsPlan Managectual energy/fuel
A
rr
Lead PartnersOther environmental,Municipal stafconsumption and waste
f
Inputs
social and economicUtilities stafdat
fa
benetTechnical supporgricultural estimates
stA
Implementation statu
s
Who is Involved:Work Required:Who is Involved:Work Required:
Leadership ommitteeDevelopment andPlan ManageH emissions
CGG
r
an anagedistribution o reportingRegion o Waterloquanticatio
ffon
PlMr
emplate to leadomparison against
tC
Analysis
partnersbaseline inventory and
Information entr intotarge
y
t
comprehensive action
database
Updated action databaseUpdated Community Inventory & Forecast
Outputs
Status Reporteport or ateroo eon
RfWlRgi
Leadership Committee
ea artners
LdP
eportng
Ri
Community
uence
Adis
Local and Regional Councils
Partners for Climate Protection Program
There are over
3,000 native plants,
shrubs, and grasses
used on the green
roof at Cambridge
City Hall.
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4.3 FUNDING FOR IMPLEMENTING ACTIONS
As explained in Section 3.5, each action will need to go through
before it is implemented. Some actions will have a clear busines
period which justies the upfront investment and a routine appro
yet are more exploratory in nature or have longer payback period
may need to be supplemented by external funding sources at the l
to the list below. For example, to implement the LED Streetlight
incentives available through the saveONenergy programs. In anotht
energy system or water management program locally, stakeholders
matching funds from the Green Municipal Fund administered by the
Energy Conservation Programs: A number of energy Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), The Community
conservation programs for home and business make Program, Operating Grants: The OTF provides funding
it easier to manage energy use by offering rebates and through the Community Program for projects that have
incentives for certain energy saving activities to residents, primarily a local impact. These operating grants help
homeowners, landlords and business owners. For cover an organizations ongoing program costs, up to
electricity use, the saveONenergy programs are offered $75,000 per year for a maximum period of ve years.
through all three local electric utilities and funded through
the Ontario Power Authority, while both Union Gas and
Region of Waterloo Community Environmental Fund,
Kitchener Utilities offer energy conservation programs
Sustainability Grants: The Region of Waterloo provides
related to natural gas use.
funding to support community-based environmental
initiatives. Actions with the Climate Action Plan t the
Green Municipal Fund (GMF): The Federation of Canadian
criteria for a Sustainability Demonstration Projects Grant
Municipalities funds plans, feasibility studies, and capital
because they focus on implementing tangible projects
projects of municipal governments and their partners
that reduce GHG and air emissions, and promote energy
with the goal of reaching higher standards of air, water
conservation and waste reduction/diversion. The grant
and soil quality, and climate protection. Municipalities,
would cover costs essential to implementing actions, up
who are Partners for Climate Protection members and
to $15,000 per initiative.
have completed their plan, can apply for GMF funding in
order to update the plan, or cover the costs associated
with the GHG reductions.
City of Kitchener Community Environmental Improvement
Grant (CEIG): CEIG helps organizations work towards
Ontarios Municipal Energy Plan (MEP) Program: Ontario
increasing community awareness of environmental
is supporting local energy planning by introducing
resources and encourage them to be involved in the
the MEP Program to help municipalities set goals and
solution to building a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable
implementation plans to better meet their local energy
community.
needs and conservation opportunities. Small to medium
size municipalities will receive 50% of eligible costs,
up to $90,000, to develop integrated energy plans that
The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation
align infrastructure opportunities and land use planning
(KWCF): KWCF looks to enhance the quality of life for
in order to build strong communities, powered by clean,
Kitchener-Waterloo residents through investing in
reliable and affordable energy.
innovative solutions to improving our community.
Other methods of accessing resources that an organization might
reserve the cost savings resulting from energy or sustainabilityects,
or to access a guaranteed savings ESCO contract to third-party
for a period anywhere from 10-20+ years.
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4.4 OUR OPPORTUNITY IS AT HAND
Over the past few years, Waterloo Region has experienced more
frequent extreme weather events, intense oods, droughts, abnorm
climate uctuations, and smog alerts due to poor air quality. Ec
challenges have resulted due to storm cleanup costs, renewing an
enhancing infrastructure, and sustaining agricultural resources.
also experienced increased local energy demands and hospital vis
associated with air pollution.
At the same time, a local response has formed across the communi
new sustainability initiatives
Governments have developed ,
environmental non-prots have taken hold, and local utilities ha
out energy saving programs. In addition, businesses have increas
sustainability measures, movement builders have raised awareness
residents have adopted energy-reducing solutions, and environmen
companies have laid the foundation for a viable local low-carbon
economy.
we need to act on the
These efforts are a good start. But now
opportunity at hand
. By coming together as a community and
sharing our resources and ideas, we can make greater progress. T
Climate Action Plan is the collective, collaborative direction w
to propel our sustainability efforts forward. And by doing so, w
6% GHG reduction target
reach our and make our community
an even better place to live and work in 2020 and beyond.
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Contributors to ClimateActionWR
(2009-2013)
Anna Marie Cipriani, Anna Melnik,
Grantors
Environmental Promotions Ofcer, Online Engagement Coordinator
City of Waterloo
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
David Skinner,
Green Municipal Fund
Robyn McMullen, Climate Collaborative Coordinator
Environmental Policy Planner,
Ontario Trillium Foundation
City of WaterlooChris Steingart,
Lead Graphic Designer
The Kitchener and Waterloo Community
Jean Starchuk,
Foundation
Project Manager, Amber Turvey,
City of WaterlooCommunity Engagement Coordinator
Steering Committee
Staff & Interns
Brent Wettlaufer,
Mike Morrice,
Photographer
Executive Director,
Sarah Brown,
Sustainable Waterloo Region
ClimateActionWR Project Manager, And many other SWR & REEP team
REEP Green Solutions & Sustainable members
Mary Jane Patterson,
Waterloo Region
Executive Director,
Task Force Members
REEP Green Solutions
Brianna Aspinall,
Residential Energy:
Program Coordinator,
David Roewade,
Michele Kamphuis, Business
Sustainable Waterloo Region
Environmental Sustainability Planner,
Development & Conservation
Region of Waterloo
Strategist, Kitchener Utilities
Emily Cho,
Sustainability Coordinator,
Municipal Partners Group
Priyanka Lloyd, Business
Region of Waterloo
Development Manager, REEP Green
Bob Paul,
Solutions
Melissa Gerrard,
Director of Sustainable Design &
Program Coordinator,
Development,
John Lubczynski, Principal Planner,
Sustainable Waterloo Region
City of Cambridge
Region of Waterloo
Graham Howell,
Michelle Vienneau,
Wally Malcolm, Director of Utilities,
ClimateActionWR Coordinator,
Construction Administrative Assistant,
Kitchener Utilities
Sustainable Waterloo Region
City of Cambridge
Paul Parker, Professor, University of
Elizabeth Weber,
Paul Willms,
Waterloo
ClimateActionWR Coordinator,
Sustainability Planner,
Sustainable Waterloo Region
City of Cambridge
Jean Robertson, TransitionKW &
Upstart Collaboratory
Volunteers
Carrie Musselman,
(Sustainable
Waterloo Region)
Senior Environmental Planner,
Ian Rowlands, Professor, University
City of Kitchener
of Waterloo
Brianna Aspinall,
Community Engagement Coordinator
Brandon Sloan,
Michelle Vienneau, Construction
Manager of Long Range & Policy
Administrative Assistant, City of
Deb Bald,
Planning,
Cambridge
Communications Specialist
City of Kitchener
Glen Woolner, General Manager,
James Gaede,
Community Renewable Energy
Climate Collaborative Coordinator
Waterloo
Melissa Gerrard,
Community Engagement Coordinator
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Alisa McClurg, Facilitator,
Industrial, Commercial and Transportation:
Jeff Casello, Associate Professor, TransitionKW
Institutional Energy:
Claire Bennett, Sustainability University of Waterloo
Coordinator, Wilfrid Laurier Linda Laepple, Laepple Organic
University Anna Marie Cipriani, Environmental Farm
Promotions Ofcer, City of Waterloo
Sarah Colvin, Energy Efciency Stephanie Shifett, Water Resources
Supervisor, Cambridge and North Pat Fisher, Public Health Planner, Engineer, Grand River Conservation
Dumfries HydroRegion of WaterlooAuthority
Hugh Cumming, Institutional Jason Hammond, President,
Inventory Data Providers
Accounts Manager, Union GasCommunity CarShare
Cambridge and North Dumfries
Hydro
Matthew Day, RCI Program Javier Herrera Lanza, Energy
Manager, Sustainable Waterloo Conservation Ofcer, Waterloo
Kitchener Utilities
RegionCatholic District School Board
Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro
John Finch, Supervisor of Energy John Hill, Principal Planner, Region
Conservation, Kitchener-Wilmot of Waterloo
Union Gas
Hydro
Josh Joseph, Transportation
Waterloo North Hydro
Tracey Forrest, Director, Waterloo Demand Management Coordinator,
Institute for Sustainable EnergyCity of Kitchener
In-kind Support
Dan Glenn-Graham, Councillor, City Geoffrey Keyworth, Senior
CuteGecko Inc.
of KitchenerTransportation Planning Engineer,
Region of Waterloo
City of Cambridge
Mark Jones, Institutional Sales
Manager, Union GasJames LaPointe, Principal Planner,
City of Kitchener
Region of Waterloo
Ralph Kaminski, Chief Building
City of Waterloo
Ofcial, City of WaterlooManuel Riemer, Assistant Professor,
Wilfrid Laurier University
Machteld Faas Xander
Pete Leonard, Facilities &
Environmental Engineer & Paige Schell, Public Health Planner,
Memory Tree
Maintenance Manager, Toyota Motor Region of Waterloo
Manufacturing Canada
THEMUSEUM
Dave Stefer, Executive Director,
Antoni Paleshi, Project Manager, Community CarShare
UW Environment & Business
Enermodal Engineering
(2009-2010
Student Group
Mat Thijssen, TravelWise
foundational research project)
Bob Paul, Director of Sustainable Coordinator, Sustainable Waterloo
Design & Development, City of Region
Dorothy Chao, Michelle Prentice,
Cambridge
Peter Smalley & Lesley Sovran
Branden Wesseling, TriTAG
Jeff Quint, Manager of Conservation
Professional Services
& Energy Management, Waterloo Sara Wicks, Director, Reduce the
CuteGecko Inc.
North Hydro Juice
Environ EC
Derek Satnik, Managing Director and Paul Willms, Sustainability Planner,
Econometric Research Ltd.
Chief Innovation Ofcer, Mindscape City of Cambridge
Innovations GroupICLEI Canada
Agriculture & Food:
Lura Consulting
Art Sinclair, Vice President, Greater Goretty Dias, Assistant Professor,
QT Web Designs
Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of University of Waterloo
Commerce
Stantec Inc.
Allan Grose, Community Volunteer
Jean Starchuk, Project Manager,
City of WaterlooSteve Martin, Retail Sales Manager,
Martins Fruit Farm
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Notes & References
1. IPCC. (2007). Climate change 2007: Synthesis report. 13. CDP Driving Sustainable Economies. (2013). How climate chang
Contribution of Working Groups I, II, and III to the fourth
action is giving us wealthier, healthier cities. AECOM. Retrieve
assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate
from https://www.cdproject.net/CDPResults/CDP-Cities-2013-
change. Retrieved from www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/
Global-Report.pdf
publications_ipcc_fourth_assessment_report_synthesis_
14. Federation of Canadian Municipalities. (2012). Partners for
report.htm
protection: Members [Website]. Retrieved from http://www.fcm.
2. Lemmen, D.S., Warren, F.J., Lacroix, J., and Bush, E., editorca/home/programs/partners-for-climate-protection/members.
(2008). From impacts to adaptation: Canada in a changing
htm
climate 2007. Government of Canada (Natural Resources
15. National Roundtable on the Environment & the Economy. (2012)
Canada), Ottawa, ON.
Framing the future: embracing the low carbon economy. Ottawa,
3. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (n.d.). The ON: Author
current and future consequences of global change [Website]
16. Basan, D., Chan, T., Crockford, N., Pham, C., and Polda, O.
Retrieved from http://climate.nasa.gov/effects
(2013, April). Measuring the green economy: Waterloo Region.
4. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (2013). New insights on Retrieved from https://uwaterloo.ca/school-environment-
drought predictions in East Africa. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from
enterprise-development/sites/ca.school-environment-enterprise-
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130118145354.htm
development/files/uploads/files/Measuring%20the%20
Green%20Economy%20Waterloo%20Region.pdf
5. Fischetti, M. (2012, October 30). Did climate change cause
hurricane Sandy? [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://blogs.17. Sustainable Waterloo Region. (2012). 2012 Report: Celebratin
scienticamerican.com/observations/2012/10/30/did-climate-
a sustainability network. Retrieved from http://www.
change-cause-hurricane-sandy/
sustainablewaterlooregion.ca/files/2012_Year_End_Report_
LOWRES.pdf
6. Grand River Conservation Authority. (2012). The Grand:
Fall 2012. Retrieved from http://www.grandriver.ca/
18. Cambridge Times. (2011, March 10) . Region still dealing
publication/2012_Fall_Grand.pdf
with infrastructure decit. Author. Retrieved from http://www.
cambridgetimes.ca/news-story/3369630-region-still-dealing-
7. Region of Waterloo. (2011). Waterloo Region prole: Statistic
with-infrastructure-decit/
trends & forecasts. Retrieved from www.regionofwaterloo.ca/
en/regionalGovernment/resources/waterlooregionprole.pdf
19. Victoria Transportation Policy Institute. (2009). Transporta
cost and benet analysis techniques, estimates and implications.
8. Ibid, 1.
In parking cost chapter (5.4). Retrieved from http://www.vtpi.or
9. Mills, E. (2005). Insurance in a climate change. Science, 309
tca/
(5737), 1040-1044. Retrieved from http://evanmills.lbl.gov/
20. Region of Waterloo. (2004). Regional cycling master Plan.
pubs/pdf/insurance_and_climate.pdf
2004. Retrieved from http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/
10. Wandel, J., Riemer, M., de Gómez, W., Klein, K., de Schutter
gettingAround/resources/CYCLING_MASTER_PLAN_2004.pdf
J., Randall, L., & Singleton, C. (2010). Homelessness and global
21. Ontario Power Authority (OPA). (2011). 2011 Conservation Res
climate change in Waterloo Region: Are we ready?. Waterloo,
Report. p.7. Retrieved from http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/
ON: Region of Waterloo, Social Planning, Policy and Program
sites/default/les/news/2011_Conservation_Results_Report.pdf
Administration Division.
22. Best, A., Denault, A., Hebabi, M., Liu, X., Samson, J.P., Wi
11. IPCC. (2013). Twelfth Session of Working Group I: Summary
P. (2010). Canadian energy security: What does energy security
for Policymakers. p.SPM-12. Retrieved from http://www.
mean for Canada? Ottawa, ON: Creative Commons. Retrieved
climatechange2013.org/images/uploads/WGIAR5-SPM_
from http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/pblctns/cdmctrch/Cnd_nrg_
Approved27Sep2013.pdf.
Scrt_Rprt-eng.pdf
12. Federation of Canadian Municipalities. (2009). Act locally:
23. Ontario Ministry of the Environment. (2013). Ministry of the
The municipal role in ghting climate change. Ottawa,
Environment. Air Quality Ontario: Summary of smog advisories
ON: EnviroEconomics. Retrieved from http://www.fcm.ca/
[Website] Retrieved from http://www.airqualityontario.com/press/
Documents/reports/Act_Locally_The_Municipal_Role_in_
smog_advisories.php
Fighting_Climate_Change_EN.pdf
70
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24. Ibid. 7, page 1239. ClimateActionWR. (2013). Community forum series:
Event summary report. Retrieve from http://www.
25. Ibid. 7
sustainablewaterloo.org/les/u/Community%20Forum%20
26. Region of Waterloo. (2013, March). Planning information
Series_Event%20Summary%20Report_March2013.pdf
bulletin [Bulletin]. Retrieved from http://www.regionofwaterloo.
40. Ghafghazi, S., Sowlati, T., Sokhansanj, S., & Melin, S. (201
ca/en/doingBusiness/resources/2013-v2-2012_YEAR-END_
A multicriteria approach to evaluate district heating system
POPULATION_AND_HOUSEHOLD_BULLETIN.pdf
options. Applied Energy, 8(4), 1134-1140.
27. Ministry of Infrastructure. (2013). Amendment 2 (2013)
41. Marinova, M., Beaudry, C., Taoussi, A., Trépanier, M., Paris
to the growth plan for the greater Golden Horseshoe,
J. (2008). Economic assessment of rural district heating by
2006. Retrieved from https://www.placestogrow.ca/index.
bio-steam supplied by a paper mill in Canada. Bulletin of
php?option=com_content&task=view&id=398&Itemid=14
Science Technology & Society, 28,(2), 159-173.
28. Please note that the current methodology of calculating GHG
42. Natural Resources Canada. (2013). Fuel consumption
emissions from energy usage data captures multi-residential
ratings [Website]. Retrieved from http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/
buildings under the workplaces/ICI sector and not the
transportation/tools/fuelratings/ratings-search.cfm
residential sector.
43. Climate Change Central. (2008). Hail a hybrid: Hybrid taxi
29. Information provided by Region of Waterloo Planning
pilot program nal report. Retrieved from http://c-3.ca/hail-
Department
a-hybrid-nal-report/
30. Information provided by Region of Waterloo Sustainability
44. Estimated percentage of local eet operating conventional
Ofce
internal combustion engines.
31. Section 2.D.1, Regional Ofcial Plan, under appeal
45. This is the current practice for accelerating conversion of
32. For more information, visit the REEP Green Solutions website
cabs to meet accessibility requirements.
www.reepgreen.ca
46. Sierra Club. (n.d). Changing the climate in Cully: Driving
33. For more information, visit the saveONenergy website:
demand for energy efcient home retrots through
https://saveonenergy.ca/homeassistance
community-based organizing. Retrieved from http://oregon.
34. City of Cambridge. (2011). Corporate Sustainability Plan.
sierraclub.org/goals/pdf/Changing%20the%20Climate%20
Retrieved from http://www.cambridge.ca/relatedDocs/
in%20Cully.pdf
CorporateSustainabilityPlanOCT2011.pdf
47. Persram, S., (2013). Using Local Improvement Charges to
35. Region of Waterloo. (2011). Regional Transportation
Finance Residential Energy upgrades. Ontario: Sustainable
Master Plan: Moving Forward 2031. Retrieved from www.
Alternatives Consulting Inc. Retrieved from http://www.
regionofwaterloo.ca/en/regionalGovernment/resources/
cleanairpartnership.org/les/Primer.pdf
RTMP_FINAL_REPORT_PDF.pdf
48. City of Toronto. (2013). Residential energy retrot program.
36. Farms are involved in a variety of chemical and nutrient
[Website]. Retrieved from http://www.toronto.ca/teo/
management activities which directly and indirectly affects
residential-energy-retrot.htm#a04
emissions of GHGs such as the use of treated biosolids (see
49. An example of an online actions maps is LEARN-CC (the
http://www.cwwa.ca/faqbiosolids_e.asp).
Local Education and Action Resource Network on Climate
37. See Waterloo Food Charter: http://www.wrfoodsystem.ca/
Change) used in Hamilton, Ontario. Visit http://www.
les/www/Waterloo_Region_Food_Charter_nal_Apr8.pdf
mapclimatechange.ca/ to learn more.
38. See Rural Water Quality Program: http://www.grandriver.ca/
index/document.cfm?Sec=25&Sub1=0&sub2=0
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Photo Credits
Region of Waterloo, p.38
Light Rail Transit Vehicle,
Sustainable Waterloo Region/ClimateActionWR
Brent Wettlaufer, photos throughout report
Photography,
Rebecca Londner, p.39
Community Bike Ride,
Region of Waterloo, p.41
Ganesh Nambiar, p.3 Bus & Bike,
UW Greenhouse,
Region of Waterloo, p.42
Jesse Wong, p.7 Countryside Line,
Hydro Lines,
Andrea Arbuthnot, p.43
Region of Waterloo, p.8-9
Watermoo,
Uptown Waterloo,
- Riya Subramonian, p.45
Ruthi Knight, p. 10
Recycle Bins
Storm Damage,
REEP Green Solutions, p.45
Chris Steingart, p.12
Rain Garden,
Winter Aerial View,
REEP Greeen Solutions p.46
Amy Allen-Muncey, p.13 Programmable Thermostat,
Daisies,
Dana Decent, p.47
Julia Heyens, p. 14-15 Market,
River Crossing,
saveONenergy, p.47
Jim Stirtzinger, p.16 Building Plans,
Mennonite Farmer,
Glen Woolner, p.48-49
Medea Rasheed, p.18 CREWs Kids,
Footprint,
Region of Waterloo, p.51
Brian St. Denis, p. 22-23 Charging Station,
Aerial View,
Union Gas, p.52
Stephen Edgar, p.26 Heat Recovery,
Seven Shores,
Stephen Edgar, p.54
Adam Bender, p. 27 40 King Street,
Slow Dance,
Climate Change Central, p.55
Stephen Edgar, p.27
Hail a Hybrid,
Maplewood,
REEP Green Solutions, p.56-57
James LaPointe , p.27
Solar Thermal,
Bike Rack,
Rebecca Londner, p.58-59
Samantha Saechao, p.28
Bike Commuter,
Train,
Region of Waterloo, p.60-61
saveONenergy, p.31 Solar Array,
Air Conditioner,
Mike Morrice, p.63
E REEP Green Solutions, p.33 Hespeler,
nergy Audit,
Rebecca Petricevic, p. 64
Tomasz Adamski, p. 34 Green Roof,
Cambridge City Hall,
Medea Rasheed, p.66-67
saveONenergy, p.35 Hands,
Industrial Building,
City of Kitchener, p.72
Wilfrid Laurier University, p.37 Patio Furniture,
Energy Meters,
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Art Contest Winners
In early 2013, ClimateActionWR held a Youth Art Contest for Wate
in any art medium to answer the question: What does local action
Natasha on their winning entries!
Roots of Climate Change, Jean Wang
Art Contest winner, Age 12-17 category
A map of our city is located on the ground and provides
the foundation for our tree of life. On the right side,
positive actions such as creating more efcient public
transportation and working together to create awareness
are giving the tree opportunity to grow. This tree then bears
fruits such as a healthier, beautiful environment where
we can all appreciate nature. The left side demonstrates
the catastrophic results of disregarding climate change.
Overall, the artwork demonstrates that we have the power
to work together to conserve our natural environment and
protect the beautiful living things in our world.
Close-up, Natasha Koo
Contest winner, Age 18-24 category
Climate change is caused by
numerous sources but the symptoms
are demonstrated by minuscule
greenhouse gases that we cant
even see. From the accumulation of
such small particles, the result and
potential effects of climate change
are humbling. I think everyone should
begin to look more closely and live
more consciously.
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APPENDIX C: Supplementary Resources, including Community Engagem
In addition to the information provided in this Climate Action P
supplementary resources that provide additional information rela
as tools to support the ongoing implementation, monitoring and r
described in brief below and are either attached to this plan, a
website, or available upon request by email to sustainability@regionofwaterloo.ca
1.Attached here below
Community Engagement Report
September 2013
The Community Engagement Report provides a description and resul
activities that occurred over the period of June 2012 to July 2013. The report includes
recommendations for continuing to facilitate engagement opportun
2.Available for download on the climateactionwr.ca website
Actions Database Spreadsheet
August 2013
The Actions Database spreadsheet contains detailed information a
currently identified (action name, description, lead partner, ju
impact, associated costs, multiple benefits, data, reference cas
set up as a tool to use in the ongoing collection of information
cumulative reductions by sector.
Task Force Meeting 1: Summary Report
November 2012
th
On November 14, 2012, 46 engaged Task Force members gathered for their first o
This summary report was prepared to capture the meeting discussi
significant first meeting of the Task Forces as a large plenary
subsequent Task Force meetings 3 of which took place as smaller, independent Task Force groups -
are also available on request.
Community Energy and Climate Action Workshop Facilitators Summary
July 2012
On June 21 2012, 50 people from the community came together at the Community Energy &
Climate Action Workshop to learn about the work of ClimateAction
Collaborative) and discuss planned and potential action to devel
facilitators summary gives an overview of the workshop activiti
discussions that took place.
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Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Forecast Report for Water
(updated March 2013)
In May of 2012, ClimateActionWR completed a community-scale GHG
Waterloo Region using 2010 as a base year. This report summarize
emissions data collected and 10-year emission forecast out to th
the carbon footprint of Waterloo Region through local energy u
landfill, and some agricultural activities.
The Report was updated in March 2013 to reflect a
reassessment of the transportation sector emissions.
Inventory Data Management Manual - May 2012 (updated March 2013)
To complement the summary Discussion Paper, the Inventory Data M
robust and detailed discussion of the methods, assumptions and d
2010 community-scale Inventory & Forecast. Documenting this inf
completion was critical in order to provide the resource needed
re-inventory to measure and report on progress. The replicabi
IDMM as a guide, will provide for consistent reporting against t
3.sustainability@regionofwaterloo.ca
Available upon request by email to
Inventory & Forecast Spreadsheet
May 2012
The Inventory & Forecast spreadsheet is a tool to capture all of
of the community GHG emissions and inventory completed for Water
The Economic Impact of the Climate Action Plan for Waterloo Regi
August 2013
In addition to the summary results presented in Section 3.5.5 an
completed by Econometric Research Limited is available upon requ
likely economic impacts of the suite of 13 specific initiatives
whose costs are quantified, by assessing their costs, savings an
the Waterloo Region and Ontario.
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Developing the Climate Action Plan for
Waterloo Region through Community
Collaboration
Prepared by Lura Consulting for:
ClimateActionWR
August 2013
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1Introduction
ClimateActionWR is a collaboration between local organizations a
support the implementation of a region-wide Climate Action Plan.
will leverage Waterloo Regions collective efforts towards achie
reduction target that leads to better quality of life throughoutClimate Action Plan
is focused on climate change , outlines strategies for reducing emissions at the
mitigationlocal
, and is being developed through .
levelcommunity engagement and collaborative planning
Community engagement and outreach was a key component of Climate
process. At the beginning of Milestone 2, a Community Engagement
ensure that key audiences within the region would have an opport
to the development of the Action Plan. A number of engagement an
occurred from June 2012 October 2013 including: a Steering Co
Task Forces, consultations with Council and municipal staff, pub
face conversations, presentations, display booths, an online dis
and Twitter. As a result, the Action Plan includes a vision, goa
opportunities and a plan for implementation all of which were
with the community.
1.1Purpose of this Document
The feedback and advice received through the community engagemen
integrated into the Climate Action Plan and supporting materials
methods used and results of the community engagement process, it
of the Climate Action Plan which provides highlights of the enga
1.2Communication Goals of ClimateActionWR
As set-out early in the process, the communication goals and obj
engagement were:
Communication Goals Objectives
Show what emissions arise from our community
CG1
activities
Emphasize the co-benefits of reducing GHGs and make
CG1
Demonstrate the value of community-level
connections to issues people care about
CG1
climate change action planning
Highlight local initiatives and where there are
CG1
opportunities to make additional reductions
State the risks of inaction
CG1
Facilitate connections among like-minded community
CG2
Provide a unified voice on climate change
members and foster strong collaborative relationships
actions and impacts in Waterloo Region
CG2
Fairly recognize and communicate the contributions
CG2
and impact of all partners and community members
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Communication Goals Objectives
Provide opportunities for joint decision-making
CG3
Engage the general public and stakeholders in action
planning and target setting based on their
CG3
Cultivate a strong sense of community
interests/needs
CG3
ownership for the action plan
Demonstrate progress on FCM/PCP milestones
CG2
Encourage bold targets and actions among community
CG3
members
1.3Guiding Principles
Key guiding principles of our engagement process included:
Build on the success of work already accomplished;
Use innovative and creative approaches to inspire a sense of ow
Focus on tracking and reporting the results of the public feedb
Respect diversity in opinions, how people like to get involve
differences, etc.;
Be flexible and continually adapt to improve the engagement pro
Integrate and cross promote media and information;
Promote the viral spread of information; and,
Continuously measure our progress and tracking input.
2A Collaborative Approach
2.1Planning Process and Timeline
In addition to ongoing partnership development among lead organi
community engagement activities occurred between June 2012 and S
the following four interconnected phases of engagement: 1) Setti
Vision (Goals and Actions); 3) Action Planning; and 4) Finalizin
Strategy.
1. Developing the Engagement Strategy
June September 2012
In June 2012, a workshop was held to determine how the community
the development of the Climate Action Plan. Following the worksh
an engagement strategy that would help achieve Milestones 2 and
website, and developed a brand and social media identity.
2. Defining a Vision and Goals
September 2012 March 2013
The four Task Forces were formed in the fall of 2012 and were fi
the development of a vision for local climate action and goals t
Feedback on the vision and goals was also offered by the communi
phases, such as at the three Community Forums and through online
statement can be found in Section 3.2.
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3.
Action Planning
January June 2013
The Task Forces, community members, project team, and municipal
the scoping exercise to determine actions currently underway as
for future reduction efforts. These lists were then assessed and
criteria by a technical team, while also collecting reference ca
GHG reduction where possible. Further details on the Actions and
Section 3.5.
4. Finalizing the Plan and Implementation Strategy
June September 2013
Based on all in-person and online conversations held with commun
technical recommendations, the project team culminated the infor
During this stage, advice and input was gathered from local poli
Force members specifically on the target-setting approach and im
September 2013, the Plan was then finalized and prepared for rev
Regional and City Councils.
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2.2Governance Structure
A number of community leaders were targeted and involved in the
Plan. The list below provides an overview of the players who wer
information about key audiences in regard to community engagemen
provided direction to volunteers and facilitation team for the
Project Manager
implementation of the community engagement activities and partne
development
provided direction to technical team, and oversaw the
Technical Director
development of the technical scope of work.
provided support and capacity for implementation of the engag
Volunteers
strategy.
provided overall strategic direction to the project manager,
Steering Committee
facilitation team, and technical team, and final approval of mat
Regional and Local Municipal Councils and Environmental Advisory
received periodic updates from municipal staff (or project man
Committees
will be asked for approval of the Plan and reduction targets.
received regular updates from project
Regional and Local Municipal Staff
manager; provide insight to current conditions, and input to def
strategic directions, potential actions, and advice on implement
worked on specific thematic aspects of the plan to contribute
Task Forces
expertise and local knowledge, and ensure that community interes
in developing the Plan.
engaged through
Community (includes Groups, Organizations, and Public)
various avenues in developing the Plan throughout the process an
sense of ownership and action, this also includes targeted audie
The governance structure can be seen below:
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2.3What we Heard
When communicating about the Climate Action Plan, it is importan
While some have found it
integration opportunities and co-benefits across sectors.
intuitive to realize the co-benefits that exist between GHG redu
community goals; some have not. Co-benefits and cross-sector int
be important to emphasize especially when moving into the implem
There was continued interest to see accountability for the proce
.
are used to select and promote actions
Understanding growth and development (e.g. Places to Grow Act an
The community
development plans or proposals) should be part of the conversati
may respond better to actions like rapid transit or intensificat
policies around growth, the potential development within the reg
potential around those developments.
Green building and development standards and energy-related prog
actions with particularly high interest, while transportation-re
There may have been less interest in discussing transportation-
selected as frequently.
related actions because these issues have been heavily discussed
recently (i.e. local commitment to develop an LRT system).
The area of local food and agriculture, although not a huge contributor to lessening
.
local GHG emissions, is a topic that attracts a lot of attention
with a
People continue to wonder where funding for the actions will com
particular interest in not only project-specific funding, but al
resources for sustained programming.
The question about how we reach more community members and organ
There continues
outside of our typical circles is still at the forefront of peop
to be insufficient awareness among the general populous about th
climate change, and about the programs and opportunities that ex
Continue to engage participants as advisors or partners througho
All participants have done tremendous work informing plan develo
spread participation of stakeholders should be considered as par
strategy.
Top voted-on ideas received through the included: the draft
Online Discussion Board
Climate Action Plan vision; changing land use practices to incre
convert streetlights to energy efficient LED fixtures; a region-
bylaw; road diets' for improved pedestrian and cyclist safety; e
building on existing community resources; and, financing for sus
received five or more votes of agreement. Community members comm
such as:
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Perceptions of whether an action is likely to make a difference
The need to make actions acceptable and easy to engage in; the
people options
Co-benefits of proposed actions
Requesting, or providing, more details on the proposed action
Observations of what is currently happening in the community
Suggestions of how an action could be tweaked to be more feasib
Information from other scientific sources
Examples from other communities, and
Concerns about related environmental issues.
Conversations and interactions that occurred on contributed to connecting
Twitter
ClimateActionWR to a wider audience by sharing news of interest,
feedback, promoting events, thanking partners and participants,
giving responses to requests for information and input. Some sa
were as follows:
REEP Green Solutions (@REEPGreen): Impressive citizen & political
engagement last night @ClimateActionWR's community forum! Lookin
to the plan
Alternatives Journal (@AlternativesJ): @ClimateActionWR here in Waterloo
Region offers a useful model for mitigating climate change on a
Berry Vrbanovic (@berryonline): Want input into our region's Climate Action
Plan - attend @ClimateActionWR forum this Thurs from 5-7pm @TheM
GSCT (@RL_GSCT): @ClimateActionWR is in the studio with me talking a
their Climate Action Plan. Listen in!
ICLEI_Canada (@ICLEI_Canada): .@ClimateActionWR We compare GHG
reductions to: removing cars from the road, replacing old applialling
residential SHW systems
Don Grant (@sharethewheel): Check out @ClimateActionWR for a great
example of a community partner process leading to #sustainabilit
Sarah Colvin (@sarah_colv): Excited to be a panelist @ClimateActionWR
upcoming Community Forum. Have your say and shape our actions.
James T. LaPointe (@JLaPointe_TDM): I'm getting more & more excited about
@ClimateActionWR as we discuss transportation + GHG reduction so
throughout W.Loo Region
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2.4Participation
Through various mechanisms a stakeholders participated in the de
Action Plan for Waterloo Region.
Consultation/EngagTiming Participation
ement Event
Began meeting regularly in Mike Morrice (SWR Executive Director),
Steering Committee
Fall 2010 every 3-4 weeks Mary Jane Patterson (REEP Executive
Director), Dave Roewade (Region of
Waterloo Sustainability Office)
1 full-time Project Manager (2.5 years)
Staff and Volunteers
4 interns (4 months each)
6 volunteers (approx. 1,100 hours total)
8 staff regularly involved
Municipal Partners
November 2012 Fall 46 Task Force members from 28
Task Forces
2013 organizations
June 2012 50 participants
Stakeholder
Workshop
March 2013 130 participants
Community Forums
By the end of July 2013, the board had 46
Online Discussion
registered users. 110 ideas were posted
Board
and received 307 votes and 62
comments.
November 2012 Fall 126 likes
Facebook
2013
November 2012 Fall 246 followers
Twitter
2013
November 2012 Fall 2,100 unique visits (13,537 page views)
Website
2013
Ongoing 161 subscribers
Mailing List
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4Community Engagement and Outreach Activities Face-to-face
The following section provides an overview of the face-to-face
engagement that was conducted.
4.1Community Energy & Climate Action Workshop
On Thursday June 21, 2012, approximately 50 people from the
community came together at two workshops to learn about the work
ClimateActionWR and discuss planned and potential action to deve
a Community Action Plan in Waterloo Region. Through these
workshops a list of initiatives and their connections emerged as
ideas and suggestions for engagement activities that could take
phase.
4.2Municipal Engagement
Over the course of plan development, local politicians, committe
representing each of the four local municipal governments were e
Municipal Stakeholder Method of Engagement Focus of Discussions
Group
Local politicians
All Mayors and Councillors from 8 Overall project updates.
(Mayors/Regional Chair/
municipalities were invited to
Overview of Milestone 1
Councillors)
provide input to the process and
completion.
specifically into the approach to
Request for specific
target-setting and finalizing the
feedback on: target-
Action Plan. In response to this, 5
setting approach, and
Councillors took part in a session
proposed strategy for
th
held on June 7, 2013 and 1:1
ongoing implementation
meetings were held with 3
and administration of the
additional Councillors who were
plan towards achieving
unable to attend the group session.
PCP Milestones 4 & 5.
Update presentations to Council
were made periodically throughout
the plan development, especially at
the time of inventory completion in
June 2012 all Councils received
either an update presentation or a
memo.
Environmental Advisory
Presentations made to committees Overall updates on the
Committees (generally
in Cambridge, Kitchener and initiative.
consisting of 8-12
Waterloo over the course of two
Asked for their general
citizens, 1-2
years, periodically at the discretion
feedback as well as
Councillors, and a staff
of the staff liaison.
input to specific
liaison)
questions about
engagement process.
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Municipal Stakeholder Method of Engagement Focus of Discussions
Group
Senior Management
In June and July 2013 staff Received an overview
contacts led a process of consulting draft version of the
with senior administration at each Climate Action Plan, and
municipality. were asked for their
advice on key questions
of target-setting
approach and
implementation
approach.
Staff Direct Contacts
Ongoing participants throughout Acted as first point of
the process participating in groups contact to collaborative
meetings alongside the Steering group
Committee approximately once per
Contributed input to key
quarter, as well as contributing
decisions, feedback on
other advice and feedback in
drafts, and coordinated
between meetings.
efforts and
communications across
municipalities.
Staff Other Contacts
Municipal staff across other Provided their subject
and staff committees
departments also participated on matter expertise in areas
Task Forces, or were briefed such as Transportation,
through their participation on Planning Building,
internal committees such as the Economic Development,
Sustainable Task Force at the City etc.
of Cambridge.
4.3Task Forces
In total, 46 people from 28 organizations participated on Task F
months. The intent of the Task Forces (TF) was to bring communit
work groups to identify actions/projects that encourage greenh
in our community, as well as help to review and refine the overa
being developed. In short, the Task Forces played a key role in
Action Plan by advising the ClimateActionWR Steering Committee,
following:
The development of an overall vision and goals for ClimateActio
Identification, analysis and prioritization of specific initiat
(see below) that will help achieve the overall vision and goals;
The development of actions based on expertise, experience and k
The implementation of actions based on expertise and interests;
The development of achievable yet ambitious GHG emission reduct
Waterloo Region related to their sector focus area (see below);
Be informed by community views and perspectives identified thro
overall community engagement program.
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Four Task Forces were established to focus in the following :
sector areas
1) Residential Energy;
2) Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) Energy;
3) Transportation; and
4) Agriculture & Food.
There was not a Task Force focused specifically on the waste sec
is a regionally operated sector and a Waste Management Master Pl
taking place that includes significant stakeholder engagement.
Task Forces were comprised of a range of 6-16 members each, repr
interests from industry, utilities, government, agriculture, aca
organizations. Individuals were invited to participate based on
specialized knowledge. Participation in the Task Forces was vol
individuals willingness and availability to participate; the li
table below. For a full list of Task Force members please see t
Contributors to
within the main Climate Action Plan document
ClimateActionWR.
Format Meeting Topics Date & Host Location
Meeting Plenary with 4 Vision and Goals,
November 14, 2012 Enermodal
#1 break-out Endorsing Terms of
Engineering, Kitchener
sessions by Reference
Theme Group
Meeting Independent Task Screening Criteria
Residential TF: Dec. 4, 2012 -
#2 Force Meetings & Initial
REEP House, Kitchener
Brainstorming on
Transportation TF: Dec. 11, 2012
Actions
University of Waterloo, Waterloo
ICI Energy TF: Dec. 13, 2012
Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo
Agriculture TF: Jan. 10, 2013
Canadas Technology Triangle,
Kitchener
Meeting Independent Actions
Residential TF: Feb. 11, 2013 -
#3 Task Force Brainstorming
REEP House, Kitchener
MeetingsContinued
Transportation TF: Feb. 11, 2013
Waterloo Catholic District School
Board, Kitchener
ICI Energy TF: Feb. 11, 2013
Union Gas, Waterloo
Agriculture TF: Feb. 14, 2013
Grand River Conservation
Authority, Cambridge
Meeting Independent Action Plan
Residential TF: March 8, 2013
#4 Task Force Framework &
REEP House, Kitchener
Meetings Discussion of
Transportation TF: March 6, 2013
Region of Waterloo, Kitchener
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Format Meeting Topics Date & Host Location
Actions
ICI Energy TF: March 6, 2013
Cambridge & North Dumfries
Hydro, Cambridge
Agriculture TF: March 14, 2013
Martins Fruit Farm, Wellesley
Meeting Plenary with Implementation
Session A: June 25, 2013
#5 two date Strategy &
Region of Waterloo Public Health,
options Building the
Waterloo
Case for Local
Session B: June 28, 2013 -
Action
Region of Waterloo, Kitchener
4.4Community Forums
On March 19, 21 and 25, 2013, ClimateActionWR held a series of
Community Forums in order to facilitate an in-person engagement
activity with the following goals:
Increase community awareness and understanding of the
purpose and work of ClimateActionWR, and the value of a
community Climate Action Plan.
Provide community members across Waterloo Region with
the opportunity to offer input into the Climate Action Plan,
thus encouraging community ownership and buy-in that
will lead to future participation.
Inspire participants to begin (or continue) the important
conversation about climate change in Waterloo Region,
including sparking conversation on the Climate Action Plan
that will be sustained beyond the event through other
engagement formats such as the online Discussion Board
and social media.
Forum #1Forum #2Forum #3
thstth
Tuesday, March 19 Thursday, March 21 Monday, March 25
2 - 4pm 5 - 7 pm 5 - 7 pm
Knox Church, Waterloo THEMUSEUM, Kitchener Cambridge City Hall
Attendance: 41 Attendance: 50 Attendance: 39
In total, 130 people attended the Community Forum Series. The fo
a short open house, an overview presentation, a dotmocracy selec
actions, a panel discussion and a workshop discussion focused on
dotmocracy. Comments and input from participants were sought thr
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Community Forum participants select topics of interest at Knox C
4.5Events Attended
In addition to hosting community forums, the Project Team attend
events and meetings to give presentations or engage in more info
conversations. The following table provides an overview of the e
Event Name & How ClimateActionWR Event Date Location
participated
community booth
June 2, 2012
ECOFest12 Waterloo Regional
Museum
community booth
September 30,
Sustainability in the Park Waterloo Park
2012
community
October 11,
Uptown Waterloo Farmers Market Waterloo Town Square
booth2012
October 24,
Greening Sacred Spaces Network Stirling Avenue Mennonite
short
2012
Workshop: Water A sacred resource!
Church
presentation
community
November 3,
THE MUSEUM Environmental Fair THEMUSEUM
booth2012
Dec. 5, 2012
Waterloo Region Environmental Networking St. John the Evangelist
short presentation
Forum
Anglican Church
February 20,
Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA): GRCA headquarters
participant
2013
Adapting to Climate Change
April 18, 2013
Sustainable Waterloo Region Evening of Waterloo Inn
video feature
Recognition
participant
April 20, 2013
Sustainability Networking Forum Kitchener City Hall
keynote
April 24, 2013
Youth Forum (Compass Kitchener) Kitchener City Hall
presentation
community booth
June 1, 2013
ECOFest13 Waterloo Regional
Museum
8 events (June
Regional Carbon Initiative Event Series Various (Cambridge,
(Educational Forums & Technical Workshops) 2012 to June
Kitchener, Waterloo)
participant 2013)
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5Community Engagement and Outreach Activities Online
The following section provides an overview of the online engagem
conducted.
5.1Project Website
A project website www.climateactionwr.ca -
was launched in the fall of 2012 and used
throughout the development of the plan to
share information and host opportunities for
input.
5.2Online Discussion Board
The discussion board was launched in January
2013. ClimateActionWR used the discussion
board to elicit community feedback in three
phases. From January to March 2013, the
overall vision and approach statement for the
Climate Action Plan were up for feedback. From
March to May, the board was open for input on
potential actions to include in the Plan. In June,
the online discussion board campaign wrapped
up with a chance to provide feedback on draft
short lists of actions (clearly defined initiatives
with quantified benefits and identified lead
partners) and opportunities (potential actions).
Image: Discussion Board Landing Page
5.3Social Media
A Facebook Page (ClimateActionWR) and Twitter (@ClimateActionWR,
#climateactionWR) identity was created to provide updates about
and upcoming events within the community. Members of the projec
also periodically wrote blog entries that were posted on the Sus
3
Region blog. The @ClimateActionWR twitter account was launched in the fall of
2013 and grew to have 240 followers by the end of July 2013. Cl
attention and engagement from numerous local community members t
3
http://www.sustainablewaterlooregion.ca/blog/author/sarah-brown/
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@ClimateActionWR was mentioned or re-tweeted by the following no
organizations, among other community members:
Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr Daytime 20
Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran City of Waterloo
K-W MP Peter Braid City of Cambridge
Kitchener Councillor Berry Vrbanovic Region of Waterloo
Waterloo Councillor Jeff Henry Township of North Dumfries
Grand River Transit ICLEI Canada
Greater KW Chamber of Commerce WWF Canada
Alternatives Journal Federation of Canadian Municipalities
5.4Art Contest
Young people were asked to submit their
creative ideas about what local action on
climate change looks like. The winning
entries will be showcased in the final
plan. The flyer promoting the contest is
included here.
The project team promoted the contest
through a variety of forums, however
participation numbers were not as high as
hoped. This was potentially due to the
fact that the contest was not integrated
within school curriculum or that the timing
of the art contest was too late in the year.
Image: Art Contest Flyer
5.5Action Mapping
4
A webpage inviting people to submit existing actions was made av and could
continue to be promoted and used throughout the implementation p
commitment to continued engagement.
6Communication Tools
The following section provides an overview of the communication
the project.
4
http://www.climateactionwr.ca/learn-more/existing-actions/
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6.1Brand Identity
The Climate Collaborative was the name used to
describe the partnership and the project from March
2011 until the fall of 2012. In October 2012, the Climate
Collaborative underwent a transformation as the
partnership officially launched as its
ClimateActionWR
new public presence. This identity includes a new logo,
Image: Logo developed for ClimateActionWR
website and social media components all designed to
facilitate community engagement and active participation while w
Milestone 2 and 3 of the framework. Primary emphasis is on the words ClimateAction while the
WR is of secondary emphasis. This means that the WR can be
other words to describe different aspects of the project, as sho
below. This flexibility will allow the brand to carry through fr
engagement and action planning stage through to implementation s
uses engaging and hopeful colours, as well as intentional graphi
community and collaboration as the core foundations of our work.
To categorize by sector
For specific municipalities:
ClimateAction: Waterloo RegionClimateAction: In the Home
ClimateAction: Cambridge ClimateAction: In Business
ClimateAction: Kitchener ClimateAction: On the Move
ClimateAction: Waterloo ClimateAction: At the Curb
ClimateAction: In Agriculture
6.2Local Media
Local news media outlets helped to raise awareness about the Act
July 2011 Press release announcing original project funding f
Foundation and The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation (
June 2012 Press release regarding completion of Inventory & F
March 2013 Press release announcing Green Municipal Fund gran
Community Forum Series
In early March 2013, print advertisements ran in The Record pro
Forum Series
th
On March 18, Sarah Brown, Project Manager, spoke on the Rogers Daytime Show
promote ClimateActionWR and the upcoming Community Forums.
On March 20th, Sarah Brown, Project Manager, was invited on to
on 570 News Radio to talk about ClimateActionWR and the upcoming
Forums.
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6.3Other Promotion
A promotional video was produced to highlight the partnerships o
5
connections between GHG reduction and quality of life. This vid was released to a crowd of
over 400 at Sustainable Waterloo Regions Evening of Recognition
the ClimateActionWR website.
7Engagement Activities by Audience
The key audiences for the plan development fell into the followi
This audience worked together to directly participate in the dev
Core:
plan by sitting on task forces and/or will be asked to participa
implementation stage.
This audience was involved in helping to develop the plan and wa
Involved:
throughout this process for their ideas and feedback.
This audience reviewed information at key points and provided in
Supportive:
required and generally agree with the mandate of ClimateActionWR.
This audience was kept informed about the project at key milesto
Peripheral:
For each audience a number of engagement activities were used.
an overview of those activities as well as the potential level o
each audience.
Category of
Target Audience Engagement Activity
Engagement
Municipalities
Invitations to Core (when
(Managers, Staff, Committees of
participate on Task participating
Council, Council)
Forces on a Task
Force)
Presentation/update
Supportive
Invitations to
Community Forums
Focused Discussions
Key Stakeholders/Potential Partners
Task Force meetings Core (when
(Energy Utilities, Academia &
engaged on
Community Forums
Education, Business & Industry,
Task Forces)
On-line Discussion
Community Organizations,
Involved (if not
Board
Environmental Organizations, Health,
participating on a
Social media
Food & Agriculture)
Task Force)
Presentations and
events
Residents
Community Forums Involved
Website
On-line Discussion
Board
5
Video is available online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0oQT4z6tgM
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Category of
Target Audience Engagement Activity
Engagement
Social media
Presentations and
events
Youth & Students
Website Involved
Social media
Youth Contest
Provincial & Federal Government
Occasional updates Peripheral
Entities
8Conclusion
Moving forward the goal of the collaborative partners is to cont
implementation of the Action Plan. As such, building and continu
efforts that were undertaken during PCP Milestones 1, 2 and 3 wi
implementation and the achievement of Milestones 4 and 5. The fo
be made in order to build on the existing engagement efforts.
Regular reporting on results will be critical in continuing to b
Now is the time for an interesting and thought
interest within the community.
provoking conversation about climate mitigation, as well as adap
for Waterloo Region to be a leader in climate action across Cana
specifically apparent during the public forums. As progress is a
on progress should be made to all target audiences.
Further effort will be needed in order to engage people outside
There continues to be insufficient awareness among the general p
circles.
the need to act locally on climate change, and about the program
exist. These need to be promoted. It will be important to contin
participate in order to broaden the reach, new networks will n
existing database of participants should continue to be used as
word out regularly. However, because large community engagement
lot of time and money, it will be important to balance the effor
project resources available.
Continue to engage task force members and partners throughout im
All participants have done tremendous work informing plan develo
spread participation of stakeholders should be considered as par
strategy, perhaps through a series of action focused working gro
of participation, the implementation workload will fall on to fe
limited resources and isolated initiatives. Engagement and part
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this regard concerning Integration of efforts, leveraging of res
collaboration will be critical moving forward. In addition to t
and Project Team should consider expanding the partnership appro
offers scalable options for partnership. This could be designed
options open to municipalities, businesses, organizations, insti
groups, and individuals. The partnership approach will be inclu
plans implementation component.
While some
Demonstrate integration opportunities and co-benefits across sec
have found it intuitive to realize the co-benefits that exist be
strategies and other community goals; some have not. Co-benefits
integration will continue to be important to emphasize especiall
implementation.
Engagement and outreach will not end once the plan is complete;
to continuing to involve community members by reaching out and e
discussions with a solid representation of interested community
about implementation and how this will be done please see Sectio
Plan.
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www.climateactionwr.ca
@ClimateActionWR
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