City of Stratford Community Sustainability Planning Study

The City of Stratford will undertake PCP Milestones 1, 2, and 3. It will develop a GHG inventory, set emission reduction targets and develop a Local Action Plan (LAP). The LAP will define emissions reduction initiatives, link the initiatives together, and enable the City to track its progress towards targets. Coordination and participation between community partners and the City will ensure support by the greater community for the LAP. The City expects that the projects and activities resulting from the LAP will generate a reduction in GHG emissions. It is aiming to exceed a 20 per cent reduction in corporate GHG emissions and a six per cent reduction in community GHG emissions by 2014. Prior to the study, the City undertook several GHG reduction initiatives including the implementation of an anti-idling by-law, energy audits of municipal buildings, and a landfill gas utilization assessment - but, they were independent of a comprehensive emissions reduction plan with established targets and tracking mechanisms. The City believes that moving through the PCP program will improve air quality for residents through the reduction of GHG emissions and provoke long-term changes to further reduce them. Thus, completing the PCP milestones represents an opportunity for the City to become a community model showcasing the benefits of adopting an environmentally friendly culture.