Climate change is a global problem with local consequences and solutions. Recognizing the severity of our changing climate, City Council declared a climate emergency in 2019. The City is tackling both parts associated with climate change:
Climate Change Mitigation
- Reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change through the Corporate Energy and Emissions Management Plan 2019-2024 with a goal to have net carbon neutral operations by 2040, and the Climate Action Plan with a goal to be a net carbon neutral community by 2050.
Climate Change Adaptation
- Managing or reducing the risks associated with our changing climate through Climate Resilient Burlington: A Plan for Adapting to Our Warmer, Wetter and Wilder Weather.
The City of Burlington reports on our climate action every year through staff reports to City Council and through the Global Covenant of Mayors for Energy and Environment which is supported in Canada by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and through the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), a global disclosure system for businesses and governments to help manage environmental impacts.
Climate Resilient Burlington
Climate Resilient Burlington: A Plan for Adapting to Our Warmer, Wetter and Wilder Weather is a City initiative that helps:
- Identify local climate projections and impacts
- Identify climate-based vulnerabilities and risk
- Manage the highest projected local risks of warmer, wetter and wilder weather through an action plan
The 2022-2032 Action Plan
The 2022-2032 action plan identified 32 actions under five themes and 10 action groups.Theme 1: Resilient Built and Natural Infrastructure
- Infrastructure Design and Life Cycle Management
- Flood Management
- Service Disruption
Theme 2: Thriving Natural Environment
- Tree Management
- Natural Area Management
Theme 3: Health and Well-Being
- Extreme Heat and Health
Theme 4: Disaster Resilience
- Community Capacity Building
- Citizen and Business Support Programs
Theme 5: Strong and Resilient Economy
- Agriculture
- Local Economy
Visit the Climate Resilient Burlington project page and the Climate Change page to learn more about the initiative, including the launch event recording, document libraries and more.