Peel Climate Change Strategy Bryan Hill, Manager, Planning Policy and Research Division, Corporate Services, Region of Peel September 28, 2010 Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) Low Impact Development (LID) Conference

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 Emissions Source: Ontario Emission Actual Percentages by GGAP Theme, 2008 National GHG Inventory Freight & Diesel 12% Passenger Vehicles 20%

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

How Will our Climate Change? Global Climate Model Projections for Region – 2050s Scenario data from AR4 CGCM3 and HadCM3 Changes relative to Baseline Climate Annual Mean Temps Warming 2.6 – 4.0  C Annual Mean Precip Increasing 6-10%

Key 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 Hills Professor’s Lake, Brampton

Potentially Affected Sectors in Peel Built Form Energy Transportation Public Health Agriculture Industrial/ Commercial/ Institutional Human Services Water Resources Natural Heritage Public Infrastructure

Impacts on Municipalities While 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 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…  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 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 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  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 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 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 Peel For more information on background reports and workshop summary, visit

Challenge 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 Bryan Hill, Manager, Planning Policy and Research Division Tel: (905) , Ext