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Climate Change and the Environment

Breadcrumbs
 

Page summary

Learn about our commitment to Climate Action, what we’re doing, and how you can get involved.

Our commitment to climate action

Halton is not immune to the impacts of climate change. The region has already witnessed many severe weather events such as floods, high winds, tornadoes, ice storms and extreme heat and cold. As a corporation we are committed to addressing climate change and transitioning to a resilient, net-zero future.

We are optimistic as we face the global challenge of climate change and will utilize resources and expertise to achieve a climate transition that ensures a strong, healthy, and resilient organization that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive. By reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, adapting our services and supporting our community, we are working to make strides to both mitigate and adapt to climate change.

What we’re doing about climate change

On , Halton Regional Council joined municipalities across Canada in declaring a climate emergency, strengthening Halton's commitment to protecting and preserving our natural environment while also acknowledging the impact that climate change will have on the future. We have taken action by:

Making Climate Change one of the key themes of our 2023-2026 Strategic Business Plan (PDF file)
Implementing our new Corporate Climate Action Plan to significantly reduce our corporate emissions and prepare for a changing climate
Supporting our partners with their Municipal Climate Response

Our Corporate Climate Action Plan

Halton Region’s Corporate Climate Action Plan is a significant milestone in in our climate response and we are on a mission to net zero corporate GHG emissions by 2045.

The Plan is the first of its kind at Halton. It includes four themes and identifies key actions we are taking as an organization over the next 20 years, which include:

  • measuring, tracking, monitoring and mitigating our GHG emissions;
  • concluding a renewable energy generation study;
  • electrifying (rightsizing) the Region’s fleet vehicles;
  • exploring the advancement of a carbon budget; and
  • advancing partnerships that align with Regional climate change initiatives.
Corporate Climate Action Plan cover
 

Corporate Climate Action Plan (PDF file)

Our progress

In this first year of implementation of the Corporate Climate Action Plan, there has been a focus on laying a strong foundation for the work ahead as well as advancing “on the ground” projects with direct results. A full inventory of 2024 climate action initiatives can be found in our Corporate Climate Action Progress Report (PDF file).

Highlights of progress made towards achieving the Goals and Actions outlined in the Corporate Climate Action Plan include:

2024 – 2028 Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan

Halton Region’s 2024 - 2028 Energy Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) Plan builds upon our past successes and introduces new targets and actions to further reduce our GHG emissions. Our organization-wide approach to energy management aligns with the actions and measures set out in the Region’s Strategic Business Plan and our Corporate Climate Action Plan.

Climate Change & Health in Halton Region Report

As a recommended action under the Climate Ready theme of the Corporate Climate Action Plan, Halton Region Public Health completed the Climate Change and Health in Halton Region report. The primary focus of the report is to identify priority populations, understand patterns of climate-related vulnerability, provide baseline health information, and outline existing adaptive capacity.

The Climate Change and Health in Halton Region report covers seven key climate-related health impact categories of concern: extreme temperature; UV radiation; extreme weather; food and water-borne illnesses; food systems and food security; air quality; and vector-borne disease.

The six Climate Change and Health in Halton Region highlight reports below provide a high-level overview of these impact categories. An executive summary that combines all the highlight reports into one document can be found here (PDF file).

Climate Change & Health Report cover
 

Executive summary: Climate Change & health in Halton Region (PDF file)

Climate Change & Health: Extreme Temperatures in Halton

The purpose of this highlight report is to provide information about the health impacts of extreme temperatures in the context of a changing climate. Priority populations are identified and actions to prevent heat related illness are listed. This report uses temperature projections from Climatedata.ca and emergency department visits and hospital admissions for myocardial infarction.

Climate Change & Health: Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure in Halton

The purpose of this highlight report is to provide information about the health impacts of Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) exposure in the context of a changing climate. Priority populations are identified and actions to reduce exposure to UVR are listed. This report uses rates of melanoma from Ontario Cancer Profiles.

Climate Change & Health: Extreme Weather in Halton

The purpose of this highlight report is to provide information about the health impacts of extreme weather in the context of a changing climate. Priority populations are identified, historical population exposures to extreme weather events are discussed and emergency preparedness actions are listed. The report uses precipitation projects from Climatedata.ca (external link).

Climate Change & Health: Foodborne and Waterborne Illness and Food Insecurity in Halton

The purpose of this highlight report is to provide information about the health impacts of food and waterborne illnesses, as well as food insecurity in the context of a changing climate. Priority populations are identified. This report uses a count of investigations for commonly reported food and waterborne illnesses, private drinking water sample submissions, beach monitoring data and the Canadian Income Survey and Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth.

Climate Change & Health: Air Quality in Halton

The purpose of this highlight report is to provide information about the health impacts related to air quality in the context of a changing climate. Priority populations are identified and health outcomes are discussed. This report uses emergency department visits and admissions for asthma, emergency department visits for respiratory conditions and Health Canada estimates of premature mortality and morbidity outcomes related to air pollution.

Climate Change & Health: Vector Borne Diseases in Halton

The purpose of this highlight report is to provide information about the health impacts of vector borne diseases in the context of a changing climate. Priority populations are identified and prevention measures are listed. This report uses active tick surveillance data, Lyme disease and West Nile virus rate and case data for all ages and sexes from Public Health Ontario.

What you can do about climate change

How does our community contribute to Climate Change?

Proportion of Halton emissions produced by sector:

Buildings
56%
Transportation
36%
Industrial
4%
Waste
3%
Agriculture
1%
The Atmospheric Fund – Halton Carbon Emissions Inventory Report 2023 (external link)

Take Action

Action: Improve your Home’s Efficiency

Impact:
Buildings accounted for 56% of Halton’s total emissions in 2023. One of the easiest ways to reduce emissions is to be mindful of emissions produced by heating, cooling and powering your home.

How:

  • Check your windows and doors for air leaks, use weatherproofing strips, seal draft doors, and consider upgrading to energy-efficient windows and doors.
  • Install a smart thermostat.
  • If your home’s heating and/or cooling system needs replacing, consider installing a heat pump or high efficiency furnace.
  • Pumping, treating, and heating water requires energy. Reduce your water usage.
Action: Reduce Your Transportation Emissions

Impact:
In 2023, transportation accounted for 36% of community emissions. Switching transportation methods is a sustainable (and healthy) way to make a large impact in your community.

How:

  • Whenever possible - walk, bike, or roll to your destination.
  • Take advantage of public transportation.
  • In the market for a new car? Consider leasing or purchasing an electric vehicle.
Action: Stay prepared

Impact:
Accessing local services and staying up to date with local climate news will help you and your family to adapt to the changes and effects of the local climate.

How:

Working with Community and Partners

Partners for Climate Protection Program

We are proud members of the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) Program (external link). The PCP Program is a national network of over 500 municipalities who are taking action against climate change to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions. As a region, our Corporate climate change protection efforts work towards the milestones shown in the visual below. We are proud to have accomplished milestones 1, 2 and 3 and are anticipating to achieve Milestones 4 and 5 in 2025.

The Partners for Climate Change Protection (PCP) Milestones

  • Create a baseline emission inventory and forecast
  • Set emission reduction targets
  • Develop local action plan
  • Implement the local action plan
  • Milestone progress and reporting results

Climate action resources

An introduction to climate change

What is climate change?

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. There is clear scientific consensus that human activities are currently responsible for our changing climate. Scientists have showed that humans are responsible for virtually all global heating over the last 200 years. Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures.

Where is it happening?

Climate change is impacting the entire world. In Ontario, we are seeing hotter summers, warmer winters, and more storms and heavy rain and wind events. In Halton Region, the weather has and will continue to become warmer, wetter and wilder.

When will it affect us?

Noticeable changes are already occurring with impacts to infrastructure, water supplies, human health, agricultural yields, and much more. Without global and local action these consequences will continue to increase in intensity and frequency.

Who is affected by climate change?

All living things on the planet will be affected by climate change through changes to their ways of life and habitats. The rapid rate at which climate change is progressing will make it difficult for humans, animals, and plants to adapt and respond to the changing conditions they face.

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