Richmond Hill approves first community energy and emission plan

Yorkregion.com
May 31, 2021

Ambitious vision aims to build resiliency, reach net zero emissions by 2050

As part of its commitment to balancing growth and green, Richmond Hill council has approved on May 26 the vision for a more sustainable, low-carbon city and a community-driven plan to achieve it.

Developed in consultation with residents, businesses and community partners, the Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP), titled "Richmond Hill's Path to a Low-Carbon Future," will guide the city in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), conserving energy and exploring related economic opportunities.

"Our goal is for Richmond Hill to become a more resilient, low-carbon community with a diversified and strong economy," said Acting Mayor Joe DiPaola.

By 2050, the city aims to not emit more GHGs than it is offsetting. Offsetting is the reduction of emissions in one place to compensate for emissions in another.

In 2050, the vision for a low-carbon city includes rooftop gardens and bioretention gardens across the community and more trees everywhere. The air is cleaner and everyone is healthier. Those who own a car have an electric one that doesn't emit any pollution. On many days, people don't use their cars at all.

All essentials are a short walk away, there's more bike paths than ever, and the subway shuttles residents downtown within minutes. Everything -- the lights, heating and air conditioning, computers, public buses -- is powered by electricity generated from renewable sources like hydro, wind and solar.

The CEEP outlines seven program areas, each with their own sub-targets to help achieve this goal, including:

• Transportation transformation
• Energy-efficient buildings
• Smart, renewable energy
• Towards zero waste
• Compact community
• Municipal leadership
• Natural heritage

 

To realize this vision, the city and community must work together. As an initial call to action for residents, the city is also releasing A Guide to Talking to People in Your Life About Climate Change. This tool kit was co-developed with members of the community and is a resource for citizens to reach out to each other to encourage climate action.

"Collectively, our actions can help to mitigate the effects of climate change in our community. No action is too small and I want to encourage residents and businesses to participate," stated DiPaola.

The CEEP was made possible in part by a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Energy's Municipal Energy Plan program.

For more information, and to download the CEEP and access climate change resources, visit RichmondHill.ca/ResilientRH.