New investments of $377,310 through the Federation of Canadian Municipality (FCM) Green Municipal Fund (GMF) will help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve energy efficiency in cities and communities in Central Ontario.
“Our cities and communities influence half of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. That means local action is critical,” said Joanne Vanderheyden, president of FCM. “With support from the Green Municipal Fund, this is what’s happening: municipalities of all sizes are implementing smart low-carbon solutions. Empowering this local expertise is vital to meeting Canada’s climate goals.”
The Township of Selwyn is testing the use of a hybrid electric vehicle to reduce the corporate fleet’s dependency on fossil fuels. This is an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to reduce fossil-fuel dependency throughout the community and facilitates a reduction in GHG emissions.
The City of Barrie will study the feasibility of constructing a new municipal transit hub targeting a net-zero energy performance. The net-zero construction will promote energy efficiency, reduced GHG emissions and renewable energy use. This supports the city’s Strategic Plan goal to build a greener Barrie while mitigating and adapting to climate change.
The Climate Challenge Network is partnering with five municipalities – Barrie, Brampton, Caledon, Halton Hills and Township of King – to conduct a feasibility study on retrofitting ice rinks facilities in each municipality to be net-zero carbon. The ice rink initiative is a response to each of the five participating municipalities declaring a climate emergency and each setting aggressive targets, ranging from 50 per cent GHG reduction by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2030 in their corporate energy management plans.
The Town of Bradford-West Gwillimbury will study the performance, reliability, and robustness of the Bradford water pollution control plant. The study will recommend ways to improve the plant’s operation and maintenance efficiency. The expected environmental benefits include reduction in the nutrient load and contaminant level in the effluent water discharged into the Lake Simcoe watershed. The study also aims to identify ways to reduce the facility’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
“Canadians in communities across the country are working hard to cut pollution and create jobs. Improving the energy efficiency of our homes and buildings will do just that, while helping Canadians save on energy costs,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Featured image: The Bradford water pollution control plant.
