Corporate Climate Action Plan endorsed by Regional Council

Whitby, Ontario – Regional Council has unanimously endorsed the Corporate Climate Action Plan and approved targets to reduce corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 100 per cent by 2045.

In 2020, Regional Council declared a climate emergency. This plan provides the framework required for Durham Region to reduce GHG emissions associated with Regional corporate operations. While the Region’s corporate emissions make up roughly three per cent of Durham Region’s total emissions, through municipal leadership, the Region will work with its partners to demonstrate a low carbon pathway that can be followed.  

The plan identifies how climate change considerations will be embedded across all elements of Regional business. Major projects in 2021 include climate risk and vulnerability assessments, developing asset management standards that consider climate change, implementing a corporate carbon budget management framework, and continuing to advocate to senior levels of government for funding to support climate action in Durham Region.

The plan will now be shared with the councils of local area municipalities; as well as to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks; the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines; Infrastructure Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada; the Federation of Canadian Municipalities; and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). The plan will then move into the implementation stage.

For more information or to read the Corporate Climate Action Plan, please visit durham.ca.

Quotes

“Climate change poses a serious threat to quality of life, jobs, and the physical and natural assets upon which we depend. Temperatures in Durham Region have already increased between one to two degrees Celsius since the middle of the 20th century and are projected to rise by an estimated three degrees Celsius by the 2050s. This will lead to a dramatic increase in extreme heat and precipitation events. By endorsing this plan, Council has recognized the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the corporation and community.”

-       John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer, The Regional Municipality of Durham

Quick Facts

• Regional Council declared a climate emergency in January 2020 for the purposes of deepening our commitment to protecting our economy, ecosystems and communities from climate change.
• In February 2020, Council directed staff to develop a Low Carbon Fleet Strategy as part of the Corporate Climate Action Plan.
• In June 2020, Regional Council approved an investment plan for the $5 million Climate Mitigation and Environmental Initiatives reserve fund.
• In 2019, Regional Council approved the Durham Community Energy Plan, and the Region’s Asset Management Policy.
• Since the last Climate Change Update Report was presented to Council in November 2019, Durham Region has invested in several key initiatives such as:
  • Electric buses.
  • Hybrid pursuit vehicles for Durham Regional Police Service.
  • Electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
  • Blackstock landfill mining pilot project.
  • Facilities retrofits at a Durham Region Local Housing Corporation Seniors’ Building in Oshawa.
  • Low carbon designs on new planned facilities, including supportive housing projects, the Region of Durham Paramedic Services Station and Training Facility in Seaton, and the Clarington Police Complex.

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For media inquiries, please contact Corporate Communications.