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Home My WebLink About2025-03-20 - Climate Change and Environment Committee Minutes 1 Climate Change and Environment Committee Committee Minutes March 20, 2025, 4:00 p.m. Conestoga Room City of Kitchener 200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 407 Present: V. Nhio-son, Co-Chair K. Charlesworth, Co-Chair A. Di Battista, Member A. Hohenadel, Member B. Wallis, Member C. Corcoran, Member J. Clary-Lemon, Member J. Phan, Member P. Boot, Member S. Baer, Member Staff: C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner A. Cipriani, Corporate Sustainability Officer F. Wade, Sustainability Advisor E. Islemecioglu, Committee Administrator J. Oosterveld, Manager, Customer Experience and Project Management K. Daley, Senior Strategist Carbon and Energy Planning S. Sweazey, Senior Policy Advisor _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Commencement The meeting began at 3:59 p.m. with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Chair. 2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof 3. Delegations 2 3.1 Item 4.1 - N. Ing & M. Day, WR Community Energy; M. Balch, Planner (Policy) & Michele Kamphuis, Business Development and Conservation Strategy, Kitchener Utilities 3.2 Item 4.2 - B. Houston, Resident 4. Discussion Items 4.1 High Performance Development Standards, DSD-2025-120 J. Oosterveld presented on the High-Performance Development Standards, focusing on the Strategic Plan for 2023-2026: "Cultivating a Green City Together. The presentation covered the HPDS and standards across Ontario, along with the working group and project timeline. It was noted that the current phase is refining the HPDS, with an explanation of the timeline and milestones. Details were provided on the first and second rounds of engagement, including the City's approach and objectives for each phase. The categories and metrics linked to the strategic plan were also presented and explained. The following questions were presented to the committee members for discussion:  Does the CCEC have overall or high-level feedback on the approach to the HPDS in the discussion draft?  Would the CCEC be interested in providing more in-depth feedback on the discussion draft or future iterations?  If so, how would CCEC like to provide more in-depth feedback? (e.g., subcommittee, focused discussions at CCEC meetings by topic) K. Charlesworth inquired about the intention to include specifics in the next round of engagement, highlighting that GHG emissions are a crucial area to focus on. The question was raised whether the HPDS is currently in place, and it was noted that this is still uncertain, and further clarification is needed regarding its status. J. Oosterveld provided additional clarifications, suggesting that details on the HPDS and feedback regarding targets are still being developed. On motion by B. Wallis - It was resolved: "That the CCEC establish a sub-committee to review the High-Performance Development Standards in detail and provide input to staff." Carried 3 Following the motion, J. Phan, B. Wallis, and K. Charlesworth expressed their interest in joining the sub-committee. 4.2 Kitchener Utilities Transition Project Update, INS-2025-119 B. Houston, a Kitchener resident, delegated on this matter, highlighting Kitchener's natural gas consumption and presented the Kitchener's natural gas consumption chart for 2010-2030. It was noted that there is currently no rebate plan, which led to the question of whether Kitchener could become a part of the plan. Following the delegation, K. Daley presented an overview of the Kitchener Utilities’ services, which include water, natural gas, and rental water heaters. It was discussed that there is a global shift towards achieving net-zero emissions, with Canada committing to reach net-zero by 2050 and to reduce emissions by 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030. The changing energy market was also addressed, with a focus on emerging technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps. It was noted that businesses must remain adaptable to these rapid changes. The community’s emissions in 2020 were reviewed, with natural gas accounting for 36% of Kitchener’s total emissions. The three-step strategy being developed was outlined: building relationships through engagement, assessing options for the future, and building consensus on an implementation plan extending to 2026 and beyond. The guiding principles of the strategy were explained, which focus on four key themes: energy products and services, gas distribution, future gaseous fuels, and system-scale energy services. The presentation was concluded with an introduction to the business consulting team supporting the project. Questions regarding rebates were raised, specifically about the Home Energy Savings Program, a new initiative started to offer rebates and close the gap for energy audits. Questions were posed, and M. Kamphuis provided clarifications and explained the next possible steps. A.M. Cipriani also provided comments on the direction to the committee members on how to support the transition process. 4.3 LT2 Overview, CAO-2025-121 S. Sweazey provided an update on the establishment of the Energy Working Group and Kitchener’s involvement in the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) second long-term energy procurement process. It was explained that the Energy Working Group had been formed to address Kitchener’s role in the IESO’s procurement efforts. 4 Background context on the Energy Working Group was presented, highlighting the City’s role as a local planning authority. It was noted that the province’s pro- growth energy agenda would require municipal planning authorities to take on a larger role in community energy planning. Additionally, Kitchener is the owner of a community-scale gas distribution utility and is utilizing a one-window delivery model for energy efficiency programs. The update also covered the IESO’s second Long-Term Procurement Process (LT2), which was launched in January 2025. This process aims to procure new electricity generation facilities and storage resources greater than 1MW to meet Ontario’s long-term energy needs. It was explained that all energy resource types are eligible, and the IESO requires proponents to obtain confirmation of council approval for submission. The LT2 process is expected to accept proposals over several years. The committee members provided comments on the discussions and posed questions, to which S. Sweazey provided answers and clarifications. 4.4 Pivot Net Zero Update, DSD-2025-122 F. Wade led the committee through a presentation on the Corporate Climate Action Plan (CorCap 2.0) and provided an update on the Pivot Net Zero initiative. The corporate GHG emissions data for 2023 was analyzed in detail, showing the specific energy sources contributing to emissions. It was noted that the largest proportion of emissions came from natural gas, with electricity and fuel contributing a smaller but still significant share. The presentation continued with an update on the Pivot Net Zero Project, outlining the new corporate net-zero target. The 2026 target for an 8% GHG reduction remains in place, but the focus has shifted to reducing corporate GHG emissions as close to zero as possible. Priority focus areas were identified as corporate facilities and the fleet. Key pathways to achieving net-zero include energy conservation, fuel switching, and generating renewable energy. Action items for facilities and the fleet, along with the associated metrics and monitoring plans, were also reported. F. Wade opened the floor to questions, and P. Boot provided comments regarding the GWP1 numbers. The presentation was concluded with a discussion about the possibilities of transitioning away from natural gas. 4.5 2024-2026 Committee Work Plan, DSD-2025-117 On motion by J. Clary-Lemon - 5 It was resolved: “That the Climate Change and Environment Committee adopts the addition of sub-committees as a standing agenda item to be included at each meeting.” Carried On motion by J. Clary-Lemon - It was resolved: "That the Climate Change and Environment Committee (CCEC) Work Plan 2024- 2026 appended to DSD-2025-117 as Attachment A, be approved." Carried On motion by B. Wallis - It was resolved: “That the Climate Change and Environment Committee support Anna Hohenadel and Precious Nojo to represent the committee on the Youth Climate Action Fund Selection Committee.” Carried 5. Information Items 6. Adjournment On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:59 p.m. Eda Islemecioglu Committee Administrator