Peel Climate Change StrategyPeel Climate Change Strategy

Bryan Hill, Manager, Planning Policy and Research Division, Bryan Hill, Manager, Planning Policy and Research Division, Corporate Services, Region of PeelCorporate Services, Region of Peel

September 28, 2010 September 28, 2010

Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) Low Impact Development (LID) Conference

What is Climate Change?What is Climate Change?

Any change in climate over time whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity that cause greenhouse gases (GHGs).

GHGs have increased markedly since 1750 and far exceed pre-industrial values.

Climate change is real.

Sources of Local GHG EmissionsSources of Local GHG Emissions

Source: Ontario Emission Actual Percentages by GGAP Theme, 2008 National GHG Inventory

Freight & Diesel

12%

Passenger Vehicles

20%

Mitigation and AdaptationMitigation and Adaptation

Sewer Upgrades

Heat Alert System

Vector Disease Control

Control of Invasive Species

Business Continuity Planning

And others…

Reduced Air Travel

Capture Landfill Gas

Expand Transit Use

Energy Conservation

Active Transportation

And others….

Green Roofs

Better Insulation

Permeable Pavement

Reduce Peak Demand

Expand Tree Canopy

And others…

AdaptationMitigation

Source: U of T and OPPI Professional Development Course: Preparing for Climate Change, October 2008.

How Will our Climate Change?How Will our Climate Change?Global Climate Model Projections for Region – 2050s

Scenario data from AR4 CGCM3 and HadCM3Changes relative to 1961-1990 Baseline Climate

Annual Mean Temps Warming

2.6 – 4.0 C

Annual Mean Precip Increasing

6-10%

Key Findings: A Changing ClimateKey Findings: A Changing Climate

Increase to annual and seasonal temperatures

Slight increase in annual and seasonal precipitation

An increase in the number of extreme heat days

Change to the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events

Caledon HillsProfessor’s Lake, Brampton

Potentially Affected Sectors in PeelPotentially Affected Sectors in Peel

Built Form

Energy

Transportation

Public Health

Agriculture

Industrial/ Commercial/Institutional

Human Services

Water Resources

Natural Heritage

Public Infrastructure

Impacts on MunicipalitiesImpacts on MunicipalitiesWhile it is up to each nation, province, region, and community to do their part in dealing with the effects of climate change, it is the communities that are at the front-line of the sustainability challenge and where the effects of climate change will be hardest felt.

The community is where the impacts of poor air and water quality, climate change and diminishing natural resources will be observed. It’s where people live, work and play.

Peel Region Official Plan Review: Sustainability – Background Paper, 2008

The Role of MunicipalitiesThe Role of Municipalities

“Municipal governments have direct or indirect influence over activities accounting for 44 per cent of GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions in Canada, including waste management, transportation, and commercial and residential building design.”

There is “large, untapped potential” to achieve low-cost GHG reductions in these areas [at the municipal level].

Federation of Canadian Municipalities, 2009

Peel is Responding…Peel is Responding…

The six partners are taking climate change seriously by developing a Strategy to address two major questions: What can we do on a local level to

reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change?

What can we do to prepare for local impacts due to a changing climate?

Peel Climate Change StrategyPeel Climate Change Strategy

Scope of Work: Prepare a strategy for the geographic region

of Peel to mitigate and adapt to climate change;

Assist the partners with focusing their resources for climate change work

Provide future direction for the partners; and Implementation will be a shared responsibility

that will be carried out as appropriate by the partners.

The VisionThe Vision Peel is a resilient, sustainable community

Responsibility to act locally to the global challenge of climate change

Partners are leaders working collaboratively

Protect and preserve the well being of people, communities, robust natural systems and infrastructure

Actions and priorities will allow the partners to participate in an emerging green economy

Draft Goals

1. Responsive planning and leadership

2. Actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation)

3. Targeted and proactive adaptation actions

4. Making the shift to a green economy

5. Increasing awareness throughout Peel

6. Ongoing research and adaptive risk management

Examples of Actions Examples of Actions

Create a common understanding of actual and forecasted GHG emissions within Peel by developing a series of inventories

Complete a vulnerability risk assessment of the local infrastructure, community and natural heritage

Increase local climate modeling and monitoring capabilities

Actions Related to Sustainable

Stormwater Management

1.2 As municipal official plans, by-laws and policies (including Water Quality Plans, Stormwater Management Plans and Infrastructure Maintenance Plans) are updated on a regular cycle, ensure that they reflect climate change adaptation considerations targeted to reduce vulnerabilities to the projected impacts and achieve GHG reductions.

1.4 Work with other jurisdictions to urge more stringent provincial action on the redevelopment of Ontario’s Building Code.

1.5 Address integrated water management issues related to climate change through existing programs (e.g. Clean Water Act, Water Opportunities Act, watershed planning).

Actions Related to Sustainable

Stormwater Management

3.4 Based on results of risk assessment, undertake recommended retrofitting of infrastructure (stormwater facilities, culverts, etc.) and remediation of vulnerability issues associated with older infrastructure.

3.5 Building on existing programs, implement additional water conservation strategies and incentives.

6.2 Model and monitor the impacts of changes to precipitation on groundwater recharge and flood risk.

6.3 Continue and expand systematic monitoring of key terrestrial and aquatic indicators.

Preliminary RecommendationsPreliminary Recommendations

Expand understanding of our current emissions and trends and of climate change impacts;

Policies and procedures to effectively address climate change;

Options for corporate and community GHG reduction targets;

Actions to improve Peel’s resilience to local impacts;

Actions that support economic opportunities from mitigation and adaptation efforts; and

Increase public education and awareness.

Some Work is Already UnderwaySome Work is Already Underway

Each partner organization is working on a number of ongoing activities and programs

Each partner organization is at a different point along the climate change “continuum”

Wide range of activities and understanding of the subject matter across the organizations.

Developed two background reports on climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Held 2 workshops (December 2009 and September 1, 2010)

Green Roof in PeelFor more information on background reports and

workshop summary, visit www.peelregion.ca/climatechange

Challenge AheadChallenge Ahead

Urgent need to respond to climate change at the local level Strategy builds upon current work and successes and

recommends actions to fill gaps Short-term – establish baselines, understand vulnerabilities, help

to advance the science Medium to Long-term – changes to policies, protocols and

standards; on-going monitoring and modeling of impacts Support needed from community and senior levels of

government

Reminders, Next Steps & Evaluation

Next Steps: Workshop Summary Report – End of Sept Draft Climate Change Strategy – October Status Report to Regional Council – December Consultation with Councils/CA Boards – Early

2011 Adoption of Strategy – Early 2011

For More Information

www.peelregion.ca/climatechange

Bryan Hill, Manager, Planning Policy and Research Division

Tel: (905) 791-7800, Ext. 4047

Email: bryan.hill@peelregion.ca