TransformTO

Last updated

TransformTO is a plan adopted by the City of Toronto to bring the city to carbon neutrality by 2040. [1] The plan was adopted by city council unanimously in July 2017, [2] and has components addressing buildings, transportation, waste, and natural systems. [1] The plan initially started in response to the 2016 Paris Agreement, aiming to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, but the timeline was accelerated following the council's 2019 declaration of a climate emergency by city council. [3] [4] [5]

Contents

While the main goal of the TransformTO is to reach net-zero carbon emissions, it also aims to achieve co-benefits that positively impact the lives of Torontonians. Thus, the plan targets social equity, public health, protections for low-income groups, and local economy enhancements. [6]

History

Consultations for the plan started in 2015, as the Paris negotiations were underway. [7] It precedes the federal government's 2020 net-zero emissions accountability act, which made the target of carbon neutrality by 2050 legally binding. [8] The consultation was initiated with leadership from City Council, [9] and was done as a collaboration between the city's environment and energy division and The Atmospheric Fund, with input from 10 other divisions and 20 community representatives, including indigenous groups. [10]

The plan originally aimed to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. In December 2021, propelled by councillor Mike Layton, [11] the city set a new timeline for reaching net-zero by 2040, 10 years earlier than the national goal. [12]

The Toronto & York Region Labour Council endorsed the plan. [13]

Strategy

The plan includes four component strategies, covering buildings, transportation, waste, and natural systems.

Governance

In May 2022, the Toronto City Council endorsed a city-created "Accountability and Management Framework" that is meant to guide long term implementation of the strategy. The framework aligns with the C40 climate action planning framework. It calls for the creation of three groups: [14] [15]

Implementation

Under its buildings sub-strategy, the City of Toronto offers energy retrofit loans finance capital improvements that reduce energy demands of buildings. [19] Within the transportation sector, the ferries connecting the city to Toronto Islands are planned to be converted to electric power. [20] The Toronto Parking Authority has initiated a program for electric vehicle charging stations in city-operated parking lots. [21]

Community groups have also taken up climate action under the plan's umbrella, including groups encouraging cycling as a form of soft mobility. [22] Danforth-area residents are leading an effort to retrofit their homes to reduce their carbon emissions. [23]

Despite considerable progress up to 2022, the city is not projected to reach its 2030 goals, making it unlikely to reach net zero by 2040. [24]

The Toronto Green Standard (TGS) is a sustainable design standard for all new private and city-owned buildings in the city. It is one of the cornerstones of the TransformTO strategy. [25]

Controversies

In late 2022, the Ontario government passed Bill 23, titled More Homes Built Faster Act. The bill includes building code provisions that override the Toronto Green Standard, the provisions were later repealed. [25] [26]

In mid 2023, the provincial government gave permission to the Port Lands plant to increase its production capacity from natural gas, thus increasing the carbon emissions of Toronto and making it more difficult to meet TransformTO goals. [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City of Merri-bek</span> Local government area in Victoria, Australia

The City of Merri-bek is a local government area in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. It comprises the inner northern suburbs between 4 and 11 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD. The Merri-bek local government area covers 51 km2 (20 sq mi), and in June 2018, it had a population of 181,725.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan</span> Ontario educational pension plan organization

The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board is an independent organization responsible for administering defined-benefit pensions for school teachers of the Canadian province of Ontario. Ontario Teachers' also invests the plan's pension fund and it is one of the world's largest institutional investors, acting as a partner organization of the World Economic Forum. The plan is a multi-employer pension plan, jointly sponsored by the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Teachers' Federation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zero-energy building</span> Energy efficiency standard for buildings

A Zero-Energy Building (ZEB), also known as a Net Zero-Energy (NZE) building, is a building with net zero energy consumption, meaning the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is equal to the amount of renewable energy created on the site or in other definitions by renewable energy sources offsite, using technology such as heat pumps, high efficiency windows and insulation, and solar panels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Energy policy of the United Kingdom</span>

The energy policy of the United Kingdom refers to the United Kingdom's efforts towards reducing energy intensity, reducing energy poverty, and maintaining energy supply reliability. The United Kingdom has had success in this, though energy intensity remains high. There is an ambitious goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in future years, but it is unclear whether the programmes in place are sufficient to achieve this objective. Regarding energy self-sufficiency, UK policy does not address this issue, other than to concede historic energy security is currently ceasing to exist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carbon accounting</span> Processes used to measure how much carbon dioxide equivalents an organization sequesters or emits

Carbon accounting is a framework of methods to measure and track how much greenhouse gas (GHG) an organization emits. It can also be used to track projects or actions to reduce emissions in sectors such as forestry or renewable energy. Corporations, cities and other groups use these techniques to help limit climate change. Organizations will often set an emissions baseline, create targets for reducing emissions, and track progress towards them. The accounting methods enable them to do this in a more consistent and transparent manner.

The Climate Change Committee (CCC), originally named the Committee on Climate Change, is an independent non-departmental public body, formed under the Climate Change Act (2008) to advise the United Kingdom and devolved Governments and Parliaments on tackling and preparing for climate change. The Committee provides advice on setting carbon budgets, and reports regularly to the Parliaments and Assemblies on the progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Notably, in 2019 the CCC recommended the adoption of a target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by the United Kingdom by 2050. On 27 June 2019 the British Parliament amended the Climate Change Act (2008) to include a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. The CCC also advises and comments on the UK's progress on climate change adaptation through updates to Parliament.

A Deep energy retrofit can be broadly categorized as an energy conservation measure in an existing building also leading to an overall improvement in the building performance. While there is no exact definition for a deep energy retrofit, it can be defined as a whole-building analysis and construction process, that aims at achieving on-site energy use minimization in a building by 50% or more compared to the baseline energy use making use of existing technologies, materials and construction practices. Such a retrofit reaps multifold benefits beyond energy cost savings, unlike conventional energy retrofit. It may also involve remodeling the building to achieve a harmony in energy, indoor air quality, durability, and thermal comfort. An integrated project delivery method is recommended for a deep energy retrofit project. An over-time approach in a deep energy retrofitting project provides a solution to the large upfront costs problem in all-at-once execution of the project.

DERs are projects that create new, valuable assets from existing residences, by bringing homes into alignment with the expectations of the 21st century

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenhouse gas emissions by the United Kingdom</span> Overview of the greenhouse gas emissions by United Kingdom

In 2021, net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United Kingdom (UK) were 427 million tonnes (Mt) carbon dioxide equivalent, 80% of which was carbon dioxide itself. Emissions increased by 5% in 2021 with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, primarily due to the extra road transport. The UK has over time emitted about 3% of the world total human caused CO2, with a current rate under 1%, although the population is less than 1%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change in Europe</span> Emissions, impacts and responses of Europe related to climate change

Climate change has resulted in an increase in temperature of 2.3 °C (2022) in Europe compared to pre-industrial levels. Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world. Europe's climate is getting warmer due to anthropogenic activity. According to international climate experts, global temperature rise should not exceed 2 °C to prevent the most dangerous consequences of climate change; without reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, this could happen before 2050. Climate change has implications for all regions of Europe, with the extent and nature of impacts varying across the continent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Energy transition</span> Significant structural change in an energy system

An energy transition is a significant structural change in an energy system regarding supply and consumption. Currently, a transition to sustainable energy is underway to limit climate change. It is also called renewable energy transition. The current transition is driven by a recognition that global greenhouse-gas emissions must be drastically reduced. This process involves phasing-down fossil fuels and re-developing whole systems to operate on low carbon electricity. A previous energy transition took place during the industrial revolution and involved an energy transition from wood and other biomass to coal, followed by oil and most recently natural gas.

The Carbon Neutrality Coalition (CNC) is a group of countries, cities and organisations which have committed to take concrete and ambitious action to achieve the aims of the Paris Agreement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate-smart agriculture</span> System for agricultural productivity

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is a set of farming methods that has three main objectives with regards to climate change. Firstly, they use adaptation methods to respond to the effects of climate change on agriculture. Secondly, they aim to increase agricultural productivity and to ensure food security for a growing world population. Thirdly, they try to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture as much as possible. Climate-smart agriculture works as an integrated approach to managing land. This approach helps farmers to adapt their agricultural methods to the effects of climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenhouse gas emissions by China</span> Emissions of gases harmful to the climate from China

China's greenhouse gas emissions are the largest of any country in the world both in production and consumption terms, and stem mainly from coal burning, including coal power, coal mining, and blast furnaces producing iron and steel. When measuring production-based emissions, China emitted over 14 gigatonnes (Gt) CO2eq of greenhouse gases in 2019, 27% of the world total. When measuring in consumption-based terms, which adds emissions associated with imported goods and extracts those associated with exported goods, China accounts for 13 gigatonnes (Gt) or 25% of global emissions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Green Deal</span> Plan to transform the EU into a climate-neutral economy by 2050

The European Green Deal, approved in 2020, is a set of policy initiatives by the European Commission with the overarching aim of making the European Union (EU) climate neutral in 2050. The plan is to review each existing law on its climate merits, and also introduce new legislation on the circular economy, building renovation, biodiversity, farming and innovation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Initial IMO Strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions from ships</span> Framework on greenhouse gases and maritime shipping

The Initial IMO Strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions from ships, or Initial IMO GHG Strategy, is the framework through which the International Maritime Organization (IMO) aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international maritime shipping. GHG emissions from shipping are about 3% of total GHG emissions, and under this strategy the IMO envisions their elimination within this century. However many companies and organizations say shipping should be decarbonized by 2050.

Mumbai Climate Action Plan, a state-government initiative, was established in 2021 to tackle and solve the increasing challenges of climate change. This Planning process was unveiled by the former Environment Minister of Maharashtra, Aaditya Thackeray in September 2021 after Mumbai joined the C40 Cities Network in December 2020. This climate action plan is being drafted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (MCGM) in assistance with World Resources Institute (WRI), a knowledge partner. This plan will serve as a 30-year roadmap and systematic framework to guide the city, Mumbai, and look climate resilience with mitigation and adaptation strategies through low-carbon, resilient, and inclusive development pathways. Being India's first climate action plan, it is aiming to set net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and green targets for 2050, twenty years before the target set by the Central Government of India at the Glasgow COP summit in 2021. The six key action areas and strategies laid out in this plan are: Sustainable Waste Management, Urban greening & biodiversity, Urban flooding & water resource management, Energy & buildings, Air quality and Sustainable Mobility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Net zero emissions</span> Rate of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions

Global net zero emissions describes the state where emissions of carbon dioxide due to human activities and removals of these gases are in balance over a given period. It is often called simply net zero. In some cases, emissions refers to emissions of all greenhouse gases, and in others it refers only to emissions of carbon dioxide. To reach net zero targets requires actions to reduce emissions. One example would be by shifting from fossil fuel energy to sustainable energy sources. Organizations often offset their residual emissions by buying carbon credits.

CO<sub>2</sub> Act (Switzerland) Swiss federal law

The Federal Act on the Reduction of CO2 Emissions (CO2 Act) (German: CO2-Gesetz, French: Loi sur le CO2, Italian: Legge sul CO2), is a Swiss federal law that regulates carbon dioxide emissions to mitigate climate change.

The decarbonization of shipping is an ongoing goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping to net-zero by or around 2050, which is the goal of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The IMO has an initial strategy. This includes the practice of lowering or limiting the combustion of fossil fuels for power and propulsion to limit emission of carbon dioxide.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "TransformTO". City of Toronto. 2017-11-17. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  2. ↑ "City council unanimously passes TransformTO climate plan". thestar.com. 2017-07-04. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  3. ↑ "City of Toronto aiming to be carbon neutral by 2050 or earlier". thestar.com. 2019-09-26. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  4. ↑ "Mayor John Tory enlists major institutions in emissions plan as Toronto declares 'climate emergency'". thestar.com. 2019-10-02. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  5. ↑ Cook, Stephen (2019-04-25). "City of Toronto staff to explore cost of climate change, legal options for compensation from greenhouse gas emitters". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  6. ↑ Sustainability Solutions Group (January 27, 2017). Considerations of Co-benefits and Co-harms Associated with Low Carbon Actions for TransformTO (PDF).
  7. ↑ "Cities take lead in climate change battle". thestar.com. 2015-11-27. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  8. ↑ Chung, Emily (2021-10-20). "The world is aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. Here's what that means". CBC . Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  9. ↑ Touchant, Lauren (2022-01-01). "Municipal climate leadership in Canada: the role of leadership in the expansion of municipal climate action". International Journal of Public Leadership. 19 (2): 97–115. doi:10.1108/IJPL-08-2021-0040. ISSN   2056-4929.
  10. ↑ Cheuy, Sylvia (2019). "TransformTO: Multisolving in Action" (PDF). Tamarack Institute. p. 1. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  11. ↑ "Toronto councillor Mike Layton will not seek re-election in October". thestar.com. 2022-07-27. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  12. ↑ "CityNews". toronto.citynews.ca. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  13. ↑ "TransformTO and Getting to Net Zero". Toronto & York Region Labour Council. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  14. ↑ "Toronto council adopts net-zero management framework - constructconnect.com". Daily Commercial News. 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  15. ↑ "Agenda Item History". toronto.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  16. ↑ "Toronto council adopts net-zero management framework" (Press release). 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2022-12-29– via constructconnect.com.
  17. ↑ "City of Toronto invites local residents and organizations to join new Climate Advisory Group". City of Toronto. 2022-06-22. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  18. ↑ City of Toronto (2022). "Climate Advisory Group – Draft Terms of Reference" (PDF). City of Toronto. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  19. ↑ "Energy Retrofit Loans". City of Toronto. 2017-11-17. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
  20. ↑ Blenkey, Nick (2022-01-18). "Toronto will take ferry fleet all-electric". Marine Log. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  21. ↑ Authority, Toronto Parking. "Toronto Parking Authority Kicks Off Electric Vehicle Charging Initiative". www.newswire.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  22. ↑ "City of Toronto campaign "TransformTO" aims to get Torontonians moving | Watch News Videos Online". Global News. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  23. ↑ "How one Toronto neighbourhood is coming together to fight climate change faster for less money". thestar.com. 2022-08-27. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  24. ↑ Slater, Kimberley R.; Ventura, Jacob; Robinson, John B.; Fernandez, Cecilia; Dutfield, Stewart; King, Lisa (2022-12-22). "Assessing climate action progress of the City of Toronto". Buildings and Cities. 3 (1): 1059–1074. doi: 10.5334/bc.248 . ISSN   2632-6655.
  25. 1 2 Nov. 25, Fatima Syed; Read, 2022 7 Min. "More green construction, less gravel mining: Ford walks back some environmental changes in Ontario housing bill". The Narwhal. Retrieved 2023-05-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  26. ↑ "Doug Ford's new housing bill guts green building law he voted for as Toronto councillor, say critics". thestar.com. 2022-11-01. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  27. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/marcooved (2023-05-29). "Toronto city council voted against more gas-plant production. The province is making it happen anyway". thestar.com. Retrieved 2023-06-05.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help); External link in |last= (help)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.