Phone: 905-546-2713

Judi Partridge

Building Community Together

Climate Change Action Plan

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Over the next few ENEWS editions, I will be sharing various climate change goals and actions that staff have initiated in Flamborough / Hamilton. Sign up for Councillor Partridge’s monthly ENEWS here.

In light of COVID-19, I along with staff have remained committed to improving our energy efficiency, reducing GHG (Green House Gas) emissions and increasing our resiliency to the impacts of climate change to work towards these goals for climate change and mitigation. 

Recently, staff presented their annual report to Board of Health on climate change goals and progress made for 2020, as well as updated timelines, Hamilton’s Community Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions between 2006-2018 and more. These nine goals are broken down into what different departments and teams have collaboratively worked on for the past year to mitigate and adapt to climate changes.

Goal 1: To increase the number of new and existing high-performance state-of-the-art buildings that improve energy efficiency and adapt to a changing climate.  

What have we done in Hamilton 2020 to work towards this goal? 

  • New police building has been certified in the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) and connected to District Energy that reduces energy consumption and GHG emissions.
  • Public-private partnership (P3) for the Biosolids Facilities that converts waste into re-useable, stable fertilizer or fuel
  • Retrofitted six pumping stations and two outstations (Waterdown) with high efficiency motors to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions
  • Continue to implement anti-stagnation valves in water distribution system. Energy consumption offsets to date are 3,099,948 kWh
  • Westmount Solar Thermal Project that offsets natural gas consumption reducing GHG emissions
  • Commitment to prioritize bids for City-owned land near the waterfront that commit to design and construction techniques which demonstrate a consideration for environmental impacts and sustainable development
  • Bay Area Climate Change Council created building implementation team to begin work plan to accelerate retrofits of privately-owned buildings

Goal 2: To change the modal split and investigate strategies so that more trips are taken by active and sustainable transportation than single use occupancy vehicles 

What have we done in 2020 to work towards this goal? 

  • COVID-19 Recovery Phase Mobility plan completed and implementation underway
  • Report on implementation to expand car share programs including “floating car share”underway and expected to be sent to Council Q4 2020
  • Implementation of several electronic permit processes to avoid trips taken
  • 675 meters of trails constructed across the City
  • Shoreline protection improvement projects including Waterfront trail to improve active transportation connections
  • Ongoing promotion of existing sustainable transportation programs including employee transit passes, Social Bicycle Hamilton (SOBI) memberships and leading transformation of Smart Commute
  • Installed 11kilometres(km)of bike lanes (one way)and3.3 km of multi-use paths/trails
  • Enhanced 4.3 km of existing bicycle lanes with modified buffers/barriers

Goal 3: To accelerate the uptake of modes of transportation that are low and/or zero emissions

What have we done in Hamilton 2020 to work towards this goal?

  • Purchased two zero emission litter pickers
  • Purchase Orders for two Kia Souls Electric Vehicles (EV)
  • Purchase Orders for two electric units for ice resurfacing
  • Green Fleet Policy underway
  • Installed four EV charging stations with Request for Proposal to install 20 more throughout 2021
  • Purchase and deployed two hybrid ambulances
  • Downsized fivetrucks/SUVs/Vans to smaller vehicles that reduces gas consumption and GHG emissions.

Goal 4: To ensure a climate change lens is applied to all planning initiatives to encourage the use of best climate mitigation and adaptation practices

What have we done in Hamilton 2020 to work towards this goal?

  • Drafted Energy and Environmental Assessment Report requirement for new development proposals
  • Drafted climate change evaluation framework/lens as part of GRIDS 2
  • Community Energy Plan created Stakeholder Advisory Committee, conducted stakeholder interviews, completed Business As Planned (BAP) modelling, created low carbon action catalogue and online surveys
  • Sewer flow monitoring program to collect data to quantify effect of climate change on sewer collection system and allow for appropriate planning
  • Rain Gauges Monitoring Program to collect data to quantify precipitation impacts to allow for appropriate planning

Goal 5: To procure goods, services and construction from vendors who conduct their business in a sustainable and ethical manner that considers equity, diversity and inclusion that contributes to the greater good of the community

What have we done in Hamilton 2020 to work towards this goal?

  • Draft Social Procurement report underway
  • Continuously altering specifications to include the use of low carbon products, recycled materials and re-use of materials in projects

Stay tuned for more progress on SMART Goals for climate mitigation and adaptation in the February edition of ENEWS.