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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-17 - Climate Change and Environment Committee Minutes 1 Climate Change and Environment Committee Committee Minutes April 17, 2025, 4:00 p.m. Conestoga Room City of Kitchener 200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 407 Present: V. Nhio-son, Co-Chair Councillor S. Davey, Member Councillor S. Stretch, Member A. Hohenadel, Member C. Corcoran, Member J. Clary-Lemon, Member J. Phan, Member P. Boot, Member Staff: N. Goss, Manager, Policy & Research C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner A. Cipriani, Corporate Sustainability Officer F. Wade, Sustainability Advisor O. Ojurogbe, Project Manager (Planning) _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Commencement The meeting began at 4:05 p.m. with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Chair. 2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof None. 3. Delegations 3.1 Item 4.1 - Dr. P. Crank, Assistant Professor & E. Schmidt, Research Project Manager, Global Environment Measurement and Monitoring Group 2 4. Discussion Items 4.1 Presentation - Fine-scale Heat and Air Quality Measurement and Monitoring in the City of Kitchener E. Schmidt, Research Project Manager with the Global Environment Measurement and Monitoring (GEMM) Group, provided an overview of the GEMM initiative, which focuses on four main areas: research collaborations, student opportunities, technology development (particularly in moving technologies into real-world conditions), and monitoring applications. The potential benefits for Kitchener were further explained, including collaboration with the city to identify gaps and challenges in measuring environmental parameters. This would encompass environmental monitoring and fostering research collaborations between the City and the GEMM. Dr. P. Crank discussed research into fine-scale neighborhood design, specifically how neighborhood layout impacts climate. Efforts are underway to establish a larger network of environmental monitors embedded in streetlights and mobile measurement devices, which would track how heat is stored and trapped, providing valuable insights that could inform better neighborhood designs. Efforts to secure research grants for technology development and future partnerships with the city were also highlighted, with the aim of streamlining research collaborations moving forward. V. Nhio-son raised the possibility of collaborating on tree canopy monitoring, which is currently being explored as part of the broader environmental monitoring initiative. Cllr. Stretch inquired about the public availability of the data being collected. It was clarified that, while air data is currently being monitored in Victoria Park, heat data is not yet being collected. However, there is potential for co-locating heat data collection with air data in the future. Dr. P. Crank also noted that as trees are planted in urban areas, their impact on air quality and pollen production will be measured. This could provide valuable data for urban planning and environmental health research. J. Phan inquired whether socio-economic factors are being considered in relation to the air and heat data being collected. It was confirmed that socio-economic status and tree canopy coverage are correlated, with wealthier neighborhoods typically having higher tree canopy coverage. There is an opportunity to pair environmental data with census data for deeper insights. 3 P. Boot raised the question of whether heat and air quality data represent the limits of the technology being developed. In response, it was noted that while the initiative is focused on these areas, efforts are actively underway to connect various data points and expand the scope of data collection. P. Boot also inquired about connections with Transform WR and WR Connected to help identify data gaps. It was confirmed that fostering these connections is part of the ongoing efforts. J. Clary-Lemon questioned the feasibility of installing monitoring equipment on city infrastructure. Cllr. Davey responded that while not impossible, further discussions are needed with operations and transportation staff to assess the practicality of such an initiative. Staff agreed to take this matter back for further evaluation. 4.2 Presentation - WR Community Energy 2024 Progress Report This delegation has been cancelled. 4.3 Pivot Net Zero Update, DSD-2025-152 F. Wade, Sustainability Advisor with the City of Kitchener, provided an overview of the Pivot Net Zero update, which will be presented to Council on May 5, 2025. The report provides an update on the 47 action items, with particular focus on the progress made. The 2024 corporate GHG emissions were discussed, with fleet and facilities still making up the majority of emissions. The breakdown of emissions has remained relatively unchanged. Since 2016, corporate emissions have reduced by 6%. Sustained emission reductions in streetlighting were achieved following an LED conversion project in 2017. It was noted that there is an expected increase in the carbon intensity of the Ontario electricity grid in 2025. F. Wade also outlined the annual reporting metrics that track the progress of these efforts. V. Nhio-son inquired if there was more detailed information in the report about the breakdown of fleet data and where the most emissions are coming from. F. Wade responded that the data is broken down by energy source and fuel source. P. Boot asked whether the community targets align with the corporate targets. F. Wade clarified that the community and corporate targets are separate from one another. V. Nhio-son raised the question of whether reducing the size of the fleet could be considered. F. Wade explained that the fleet usage is closely monitored to 4 ensure the appropriate number of vehicles is available, balancing efficiency with necessity. Cllr. Davey asked for a percentage measure of pure population growth and whether any comparative data from other municipalities is available, specifically how Kitchener compares to others on a per capita basis. P. Boot also inquired if municipalities are obligated to report this data at the same time each year. F. Wade confirmed that there is no requirement to do so. 4.4 Update on Kitchener's Great Places Awards, DSD-2025-175 O. Ojurongbe, Project Manager (Planning) with the City of Kitchener, provided an overview presentation of Kitchener's Great Places Awards. V. Nhio-son inquired whether there was an estimate of how many applications were received in the previous cycle. O. Ojurongbe responded with the relevant details. Further clarification questions were asked regarding the time commitment associated with the awards process. On motion - It was resolved: “That the Climate Change and Environment Committee identified A. Hohenadel and J. Clary-Lemon (back up representative) to participate in the jury panel for the Sustainable Kitchener award category as part of Kitchener’s Great Places Awards 2025 program.” Carried 4.5 High Performance Development Standards Sub-Committee Update The Sub-Committee notified the committee members that the first meeting is pending. 5. Information Items 5.1 Sub-Committee Updates Environmental Rodent Control Impacts - The committee was informed that J. Clary-Lemon needs to step down from the subcommittee due to a conflict of interest and a new member was requested for replacement. 5 Cllr. Stretch provided an update on conversations with D. McGoldrick, City of Kitchener General Manager of Infrastructure Services, sharing that there was an opportunity through a new city pest control contract. A. Hohenadel inquired about the time commitment for this subcommittee and subsequently confirmed their willingness to join. It was confirmed that A. Hohenadel will be part of the sub-committee to replace J. Clary-Lemon on the Environmental Rodent Control Impacts sub-committee. No updates were provided for the Sustainable Food Systems sub-committee at this meeting. Committee/Council Report Template Change(s) - P. Boot provided an update on the recent all advisory committee meeting and expressed interest in ongoing collaboration with CCEC and Compass Kitchener. It was noted that there appears to be a gap under Transform WR. N. Goss will connect with the subcommittee offline to provide a response and will also reach out to Transform WR to ask if they can attend an upcoming CCEC meeting to provide an update on their work. 6. Adjournment On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:23 p.m. Eda Islemecioglu Committee Administrator