Low Carbon Pathway
Energy
The Durham Community Energy Plan is Durham Region’s ambitious strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and take advantage of new clean energy jobs. It presents a pathway up to use less carbon until 2050 with long-term strategies to reduce GHG emissions while growing our economy.
| Community Energy Plan |
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The Durham Community Energy Plan will accelerate the move to a clean energy economy in Durham, while achieving multiple economic, environmental and social benefits. In 2021, after the Regional Council declared a climate emergency, the Region set new goals to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG). These goals are to reduce GHG by 10% by 2025, 30% by 2030, and 100% by 2050 from 2019 levels, matching the federal government’s 2050 net zero goal. Resources: |
| EV Chargers |
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Vehicles such as cars and trucks are the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in Durham Region, making up more than 40 percent of total emissions in 2017. The Durham’s Community Energy Plan shows how important electric vehicles (EVs) are for reducing emissions. Switching to electric cars, buses and trucks is expected to make up about 20 percent of the total GHG emissions reductions needed to align with Durham’s “Low Carbon Pathway”. By 2030 all new vehicles purchased in the Region are expected to be zero emissions. The Region is also acting on its own vehicle fleets. In November 2019, Durham Region Council committed $10 million in funding towards buying the first eight battery electric buses and charging infrastructure for Durham Region Transit as a pilot project. This will help switch the transit fleet to zero-emission buses over the next 10 years. Besides its own Fleet, Durham Region is working with local municipalities and partners to add more public EV charging stations. In 2021, the Region, together with Ajax, Clarington, Oshawa (in collaboration with Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation) and Whitby will be installing 60 new EV charging stations at21 public sites. This initiative is made possible through a $296,000 grant from the Government of Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. The investment will help people use EVs and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Switching to EVs is a key action needed to meet Durham Region’s climate change goals. Where to find an EV charging station? Find an EV charging station near you or your destination with online maps and mobile apps such as Plugshare or Chargehub. |
| District Energy |
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District energy systems are centralized systems that distribute heating and cooling through underground pipes to multiple buildings in a neighbourhood, district, or campus. This is different from each building having its own on-site heating and cooling systems. District energy is an important way for Durham Region to reduce GHG emissions and is expected to make up16 per cent of total GHG emissions reductions as part of the Region’s low carbon plan. It is especially important in areas with lots of new buildings or redevelopment near sources of waste heat from cities or industries. Resources: |
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