HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-19-094 - Corporate Climate Action Plan
Date:
April 12, 2019
To:
Members of Council
From:
J. Bunn, Manager, Council/Committee Services & Deputy City Clerk
cc:
Corporate Leadership Team
Subject:
Report DSD-19-094 - Corporate Climate Action Plan
As indicated on the April 15, 2019 Community & Infrastructure Services Committee agenda circulated
Friday, April 5, 2019, attached is Report DSD-19-094 - Corporate Climate Action Plan
consideration.
J. Bunn
REPORT TO:Community & Infrastructure ServicesCommittee
th
DATE OF MEETING:April 15, 2019
SUBMITTED BY:Claire Bennett, Corporate Sustainability Officer, ext. 7322
PREPARED BY:Claire Bennett, Corporate Sustainability Officer, ext. 7322
WARD (S) INVOLVED:All
th
DATE OF REPORT:March 27, 2019
REPORT NO.:DSD-19-094
SUBJECT:Corporate Climate Action Plan
_________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Corporate Climate Action Plan be endorsed,in principle, subject to action
items beingapproved through future budgetdeliberationsand business plans; and,
Thatstaff be directed to complete a 3-year monitoring program on the Corporate
Climate Action Plan, to assessthe 8% absolute greenhouse gasemission (GHG) target,
with possible consideration for establishing a greater GHGreduction target; and,
That the City of Kitchener update the corporate green building design from LEED-Gold
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for new City buildings greater than 500mto an energy intensity-based target of 25%
energy improvement above Ontario Building Code Regulation 388/18 or Net Zero
Ready/Net Zero energy,where site conditions allow; and further
That apermanentfull-time equivalent(FTE)position be approved to support the
Corporate Sustainability Office.
BACKGROUND:
On April 23, 2014, Council directed staff to prepare a terms of reference for an integrated
climate action plan for the City of Kitchener that would address corporate mitigation and
adaptation strategies, and report back to Council.
On Nov. 16, 2015 (CAO-15-024), Council approved theCorporate Climate Action Plan
(CorCAP) terms of reference following
Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program framework for climate mitigation, andto
consider followingthe Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) Building Adaptive and
Resilient Communities (BARC) milestone framework for climate adaption. Through the
development of thisplan the following objectives were to be included:
1.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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2.Mitigation and adaptation goals for the next 10 years, including a corporate greenhouse
gas (GHG) reduction target for the City of Kitchener;
3.
Action goals, including existing and new measures to be implemented;
4.A detailed implementation plan that includes: estimated costs, funding sources,
responsibilities, and timelines; and
5.A plan for monitoring the implementation status of mitigation and adaptation actions and
Progress towards the corporate emissions reduction target.
On February 13, 2017 (CAO-17-004), Council approved an 8% absolute greenhouse gas
reduction targetthat, endorsed following theICLEI framework, and establisheda Corporate
Climate Action Plan steering committee to guide the development of the Corporate Climate
Action Plan as outlined within this report.Through the establishment of a target the City
competed milestone 2 of the Partners for Climate Protection framework.
For additional context, On March 3, 2008 (CRPS08-014) Finance & Corporate Services
Committee endorsed a recommendation through report CRPS-08-014 to design all new city
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buildings and additions over 500 mto meet Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design
(LEED) Silver, which was further amended to LEED Gold at Council on March 17, 2008.
The Corporate Climate Action Plan forms the reduction target and actions to be taken to
and improve
resiliency to climate change impacts. Separately,and in partnership with Climate Action
Waterloo Region (ClimateActionWR), an action plan is being developed to achieve the
levels by 2050. Ultimately these local level plans work towards provincial, federal and global
climate goals. Specifically, these plans are aligned to achieve the Paris Climate Conference
°C
(COP21) agreement to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5above pre-industrial
levels.
Throughthe2019federal budget $350 million has been announced for municipalsustainability
initiativesandan increase of $1.01 bil;the
provincial government announceda$30 Billion Infrastructure Funding Program, which includes
agreensteam. The funding requires municipalities to make commitments to climate action
through setting targets and creating plans. The CorCAP positions the City of Kitchener well to
apply for projects through sustainability funding streams.
REPORT:
The Corporate Climate Action Plan
actions through to 2026 to deliver on the 8 percent GHG reduction target council endorsed in
2017. A high level summary of CorCAPis attached as appendix Awith the full report available
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here. Following council endorsement aconciseand accessible version of the plan will be
uploaded t
The CorCAP contains three main sections: Part One Action Plan (mitigation and adaptation);
Part Two Program Development and Implementation; and, Part Three Plan Review.
Endorsement of the CorCAP achieves milestone 3of the PCP and ICLEI frameworks.
Part One Action Plan
This section of the plan outlines the tangible actions and corresponding implementation plan
relating to mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions from City operations) and
adaptation (creating resiliency to the effects of a changing climate in City owned infrastructure
and operations).The plan is specific and technical so that the GHG reduction goal can be
realisedand subject matter experts at the City of Kitchener have clearly articulated actions,
which align with capital replacement programs within the fourmajor greenhouse gas
contributing areas:buildingsand pumping stations;fleet;outdoor lighting;and waste.
Part Two Program Development and Implementation
This section establishes
goals. Ultimately, it comprises the structure of the operational program for the Sustainability
Office, including goals to help strengthen and develop measurement systems, process tools,
andcommunication strategies.
Part Three Plan Review
The plan review sectionoutlines a formal iterative process of reporting and review of CorCAP,
which includes tracking progress, reporting and assessment, revision and future action
planning. Given the challenges and opportunities of climate action, it is important that action
plans be a long term, living document with ongoing stakeholder consultation and reporting.In
addition, the Environmental committee passed a recommendation to review the absolute
reduction
plan progresses.
CorCAP Goals
Within the three parts of the plan there are eight overarching goals. They are:
1.Maximize facility-level efficiency and resilience.
2.Opt
electrification.
3.Upgrade and standardize outdoor lighting to LED technology with controls for further
efficiencies, analytics and functionality.
4.Complete a comprehensive review of the existing waste program to improve and
expand service areas.
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5.Plan and implement climate adaptation initiatives through engagement, policy and
projects that improve resiliency to impacts that pose risk to the corporation.
6.Generate and manage robust climate data to analyze, forecast, and report on findings
and trends to inform strategic planning, business operations and project level
performance.
7.Guide decision making to support greenhouse gas emission reduction and resiliency to
climate change.
8.Improveengagement and two-way communication between corporate stakeholders by
optimizingexisting channels and creatingnew ones.
Within these overarching goals there are a series of specific actions. A significant amount of
work has gone in to aligning these actions with other work programs to ensure that they can be
delivered within the 2026 planning horizon, to maximize implementation efficiency and
greenhouse gas emission reductions, and to maximize returns on investments.
Building Design Targets
The Cityof Kitchener previously adopted LEED Gold targets for expansions and new building
construction over 500 square metres. At the time, LEED was an appropriate certification body
to ensure sustainability considerations were incorporated into site selection andbuilding
design. The global understanding of climate change and its impacts have since evolved and
further identified the linkage with energy intensity and greenhouse gas emissions. This means
that LEED is not the most appropriate certification tool whenlooking at reducing energy
intensity and greenhouse gas emissions.
As the City of Kitchener grows and adds additional building footprints it will be increasingly
challengedto achieve an absolute greenhouse gas reduction target while expanding city
facilities through LEED certificationalone. In fact, there is significant cost associated with the
certificationprocess and this funding could be better invested into energy efficiency
improvements. Investments in building envelope improvements to achieve aminimum of 25
percent energy improvement above Ontario Building Code Regulation 388/18or Net Zero
Ready/Net Zero energy, where site conditions allow,is recommended to supportsoft service
growth while working towards overall GHG emission reductions.
Staffing Requirements
Funding was set aside in the 2019 budget for a staffing resource to support the Corporate
Sustainability Officeportfolio,with consideration of a permanent hire deferred to the timing of
the CorCAP being presented for approval.Thereis a significant body of work required to
sustainability objectivesandwork planning is underway through a
partnership with ClimateActionWRto achieve the community GHG reduction target.
The primary focus of the Corporate Sustainability Officer was intended to be on strategic
planning, policy, program and partnership development as well as project management
including applying to funding bodies and applicable reportingon corporate and community
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progress.However, this position has been spending significant time on background data
collection and outreach opportunities.
The new permanentposition wouldprimarily focus oncity staff and community facing
sustainability based engagement related to:market-based incentivesfor private landowners to
engage in stormwater management controls;engagement of city fleetusersto reduce fuel
consumption and behaviour related operating expenses; city staff and community related
sustainability behaviouraroundfacility use and wastemanagement. Some estimates indicate
that approximately 60 percent of consumption activities can be impacted from behaviour
change alone. In addition, this role will coordinateand generatekey climate-related data
required for mandated and voluntary reporting.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Priority:Sustainable Environment & Infrastructure
Strategy:#4.3 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and consumption in all areas of city
operations
Strategic Action:# SE4 Corporate ClimateAction Plan
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There areno funding requestsfor this programat this time. Council allocated reserve funding
as part of the 2019 budget processto begin implementation of CorCAPprojects in 2019 and
2020. Any specific capital funding asks beyond those that can be funded through the reserve
fund will be sought through future budget deliberations and business plans.
Ongoing funding for the FTE identified within this report is available through sustainability
operating budgets.
Capital investments into sustainability initiatives ultimately reduce energy consumptionand
ongoing operating costs. As an example,a net zero facility produces as much energy as it
consumes over its lifespan and does not have ongoing utility consumption billsgenerating
operating savings.In addition, mechanical system requirements for heating and cooling are
much smaller for net zero facilities reducing capital replacement budget requirements since
these ty
As stated previously, $350 million was included in the 2019 federal budget for municipalities
regarding sustainability initiatives.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
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INFORM -with the agenda in advance of the
council/committee meeting
CONSULT Extensive consultation has occurred with staff through a variety of engagement
sessions, including information sharing at events, site tours, workshops, and working with staff
oneachaction item to develop alignmentwith other work programs. The CorCAP Steering
committee was consulted with via meetings and email throughout the plan development.In
addition,there was a series of online engagement tactics (webpage, polls,and blog posts).
Community consultation efforts includedthe Compass Kitchener survey, the budget
engagement process and the Leisure Facilities Master Plan consultation.
st
Further, the CorCAP was presented to the Environmental Committee March 21with the
committee endorsing the following recommendation:
That staff be directed to complete a 3-year monitoring program on the Corporate
Climate Action Plan, to asses GHG emissions and reductions, with possible
consideration for establishinga new GHG target; and further,
COLLABORATE Through the consultationprocess, input and recommendations made by
stakeholders were included in the development of the plan
PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION OF THIS MATTER:
CRPS-08-014:Implementation ofGreen Building Design and Construction Standards.
CAO-15-024: City of Kitchener Corporate Climate Action Plan Terms of Referencewas
approved.
CAO-17-004: City of Kitchener Corporate Climate Action Plan Phase 1Report,
establishment of 8 percent absolute GHG reduction target and participation in
Change, Changing Communities framework.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager,Development Services
Attachments: Appendix ASummary of the Corporate Climate Action Plan
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Appendix A:Summary of the Corporate Climate Action Plan
The widespread scale and complexity of climate change poses considerable environmental,
economic and social risk to cities. The City of Kitchener understands and acknowledges its
role as a vital participant in the global action to combat climate change. Leadership from the
City of Kitchener in its corporate operations to reduce greenhouse gas emissionsand build
resilient infrastructurewill helpto ensure long-term vibrancy for the local community.
City of Kitcforthe Corporate Climate Action Plan (CorCAP)is to lead by
example with action on climate changetoreduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions,
promote inclusive environmental sustainability and resilience.
Global agreements set the stage for federal level adaptation and mitigation responses, which
drives provincial planning,legislationand local level action. At a community-level, climate
planning is being coordinated by Climate Action Waterloo Region with involvement from the
Region of Waterloo, City of Kitchener and other local municipalities. The Corporate Climate
climate.
Global to local policies guiding climate action
Climate action planning in local governmentin Canadais guided by the Federation of
framework for
climate mitigation andLocal Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) Building Adaptive and
Resilient Communities (BARC) milestone frameworkfor mitigation. Endorsement of theCity of
KitchenerMilestone 3in both frameworks.
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Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions is a major focus of the CorCAP.A greenhouse gas
inventory and climate change risk and vulnerability assessment was completedin previous
phases of workto understand the current and projected state of the organization. In 2017
Councilestablished the
action planemissions as 2016 and an 8% GHG reduction by 2026. The following table shows
baseline emissions, the 2026 GHG target and business as usual assuming population growth
of 1.8% per year.
Focus 2016 GHG2026 BAU Reduction% ReductionReduction
22
AreatCOeGHGForecasttCOeFrom 2016Share
2
tCOe
Buildings58385,36069404788%38%
Pumping 13413015343%> 1%
Stations
Fleet3,5843,30043582848%18%
Lighting50537558113026%30%
Waste33621039612638%13%
TOTAL10,3979,37512,4281,0228%100%
The following information outlines the eight major goals of CorCAP as well as specific actions
within each goal.
Mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions in city operations)
Buildings and Pumping Stations
Goal: Maximize facility-level efficiency and resilience.
Actions:
Complete replacements and retrofits for inefficient
and/or end of life equipment and embed controls and automation
(sensors, dimmers).
Optimize operations and maintenance program: scheduling, recommissioning,
preventative maintenance.
During new capital construction process design buildings for energy intensity-based
target of 25% energy improvement above Ontario Regulation 388/18 made under the
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Building Code Act, 1992 or Net Zero Ready/Net Zero energy where site conditions
allow.
During major renovations, complete deep energy retrofits.
Fleet
Goal:
alternative fuels and electrification.
Actions:
Integrate alternative fuels and anti-idling technology.
Electrify fleet vehicles and equipment where feasible.
Optimize fleet through right-sizing, downsizing, vehicle sharing/scheduling, and driver
behavior (anti-idling, acceleration and route optimization).
Outdoor Lighting
Goal: Upgrade and standardize outdoor lighting to LED technology
with controls for further efficiencies, analytics and functionality.
Actions:
Continue LED retrofits, with controls where possible, on
decorative, underpass, and walkway/park lighting.
Identify additional ways to conserve energy through actions such as reducing excess
lighting and motion activated lighting where possible.
Waste
Goal: Complete a comprehensive review of the existing waste
program to improve and expand service areas.
Actions:
Undertake a sanitation review to understand stakeholders,
procedures, challenges and opportunities within procurement, design and operations,
withkey goals of:
o Expanding organics program,
o Divert and/or reuse materials, such as fallen trees, aggregate, metal, wood, e-
waste, plastic, underground piping,
o Expanding services/streams downtown and parks / trails, where feasible, and
o Process improvements and stakeholder engagement.
Increase diversion at events through additional waste streams, engagement campaigns,
vendor engagement, and contractor services.
Develop a downtown diversion program through partnerships.
Develop asustainable procurement program.
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Develop a green office program (ie. paper reduction (double sided, softcopy storage
and minimize hardcopy requirements).
Adaptation (creating resiliency in City operations from a changing
climate)
Studies on local climate change impacts predict that there will be
more extreme precipitation events that result in severe flooding,
more frequent extreme wind and freezing rain events and increasing
temperatures, extreme heat events and extended periods of low
summer precipitation leading to drought-like conditions.
Goal: Plan and implement climate adaptation initiatives through engagement, policy and
projects that improve resiliency to impacts that pose risk to the corporation.
A series of actions have been identified inbroad areas related to risk planning, capital
planning, design and construction, and operation.
Program Development & Implementation Goals
Goal:Create and utilize robust climate data to gather, analyze,
forecast, and report on findings and trends to inform strategic
planning, business operations and project level performance.
Goal:Guidedecision making to support greenhouse gas emission
reduction and resiliency to climate change.
Goal: Improve engagement and two-way communication between stakeholders by optimizing
existing channels and creating new ones.
A series of actions have been identified in a comprehensive areas related to data gathering,
finance, budgeting, procurement, project management, operations and communications.
Plan Review
program and Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) Building Adaptive and Resilient
Communities (BARC) milestone frameworks require a continuous improvement cycle of
tracking progress, reportingand updating the plan to achieve milestones 4 and 5. This will be
built into CorCAP as the City works toward achieving its current and any future amended
targets.
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