Town Approves Low Carbon Transition Strategy

HALTON HILLS, ON – “Walking the talk” is how Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette stated it, in response to questions about the significant strides made by the municipality in advancing the climate change agenda. “We dedicated staff and included monies in our budget to address climate change initiatives,” he said. “Making a concerted effort by putting your money where your mouth is, is the only way to really get traction and make progress on this initiative.”

In 2019, the municipality made a climate change declaration to achieve net zero by 2030.  Yesterday a staff report went to Town Council, detailing the municipality’s Low Carbon Transition Strategy (LCTS) and key priorities for lowering carbon emissions.

Councillor Jane Fogal, a noted climate change advocate and community leader, recognized the efforts of staff and the importance of the work that was being performed. “The work that has been done to date is substantial and obviously, there are no geographical boundaries when it comes to the environment. Climate change is one of the most important issues we face today and it is an effort that must be shared amongst people and amongst communities around the world. I hope that the efforts and support put forth by our municipality serve as an inspiration to others.”

The strategy identifies specific implementation actions in four main focus areas to reduce Halton Hills’ emissions by 74 per cent by 2030. The four action areas are:

1. Low-carbon mobility: enable travel by foot, bicycle, emissions-free transit, or electric vehicles.
2. Energy efficiency and green development: increasing energy efficiency in new/existing buildings.
3. Local renewable energy: replacing fossil fuel energy with renewal energy sources.
4. Natural assets: protecting and expanding the town's natural assets to absorb more carbon from the atmosphere.

To date, the Town’s climate change achievements include:

• Mapping the greenhouse gas inventory and establishing baselines & modelling future impacts
• Updating the Town’s Green Development Standards
• Installing an EV charging network in public parking lots
• Installing bike lanes and multi-use paths
• Implementing a natural assets and tree canopy management program 
• Investing in retrofitting of Town facilities to save energy and reduce carbon
• Developing a home deep energy retrofit pilot program
• Studying low carbon energy supply for Vision Georgetown

Learn more about the Town’s low carbon initiatives and read the staff report.

About the Town of Halton Hills

The Town of Halton Hills, with a population of approximately 60,000, consists of two urban centres, Georgetown and Acton, the Halton Hills Premier Gateway employment area, three hamlets – Glen Williams, Stewarttown and Norval – and several smaller settlements. Halton Hills has long been recognized for its natural beauty, active agricultural community, high quality of life and proximity to major centres, including Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto.  The Town is ranked as one of the top small communities in Canada by a national magazine.

Visit the Town's website

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