City of Waterloo Corporate Energy and GHG Action Plan

The City of Waterloo will develop a corporate greenhouse gas inventory and action plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its internal operations. As a member of Partners for Climate Protection program, Waterloo’s action plan will help the city achieve Milestone 3 of the PCP Framework and will exceed provincial regulatory requirements under Ontario’s Green Energy Act (2009). The project management team, led by the city’s Asset Management Division, will develop a corporate GHG inventory, a 10-year emissions forecast, GHG reduction targets and actions, and an implementation and monitoring plan. The action plan will link to municipal goals for sustainable transportation, the local green economy, local energy production, water efficiency and organic waste diversion. Two related municipal initiatives will contribute to the plan: a feasibility study of re-commissioning and retrofits in city facilities (GMF 13002) and a fleet assessment report and implementation plan (GMF 3376). Corporate Milestones 2 and 3 will integrate objectives, actions and opportunities identified in the City of Waterloo Environmental Strategy. The development of a corporate action plan will allow the city to take part in Sustainable Waterloo Region's Regional Carbon Initiative (RCI), where participants pledge to meet a 10-year GHG emissions reduction target. The city has already completed the a community greenhouse gas inventory, and is working to develop greenhouse gas reduction targets and a community action plan through the regional multi-stakeholder initiative the ClimateActionWR initiative (formerly the “Climate Collaborative”), a regional multi-stakeholder initiative led by the Region of Waterloo (GMF 12005). Ultimately, the city will tie together its corporate and community initiatives to create a single comprehensive corporate and community greenhouse gas strategy. As a participant in regional initiatives, the city will share knowledge and lessons learned with other municipalities. With its integrated approach to regulated and voluntary goals, the city will save money and staff time, attract recognition for its programs and exceed federal and provincial GHG emission reduction targets and reporting requirements. (Project description from original funding application)