Responding to a Changing Climate
The climate of the earth is changing. Fueled by rampant use of fossil fuels and accelerated global warming, the climate crisis has begun to grow more urgent every year, with irreversible impacts of global warming appearing faster than anticipated.
Around the world, cities like Stratford are experiencing long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns including recurrent heat waves, severe wildfires, intense rainfall and storms, decreased snowpack and declining biodiversity.
Our Targets
In 2020, City Council declared a Climate Emergency and set overarching targets to achieve the greenhouse gas reductions required to limit global temperature increases below 1.5°C. Stratford joined a number of other Canadian municipalities and countries worldwide and committed to reducing GHG emissions by 30% from 2017 levels by 2030 and achieving net–zero emissions by 2050.
Since this declaration, the City has committed to taking action within its municipal operations and aligning decision-making with our climate targets. Mitigation and adaptation strategies for the near-term and longer-term are being established for both the corporation and the community.
How Will We Get There?
Our targets are ambitious yet achievable. While the City can influence many of the sources of carbon pollution in our community, we can’t reach these targets alone. We need the support of our community, senior governments, and partner organizations. Should you have any questions or comments on our Climate Change Initiatives, please reach out to our Climate Change Program Manager by email or phone 519-271-0250 ext. 5311
| Our Climate Emergency Declaration |
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On February 10, 2020, the following Declaration of a Climate Emergency was approved by Stratford City Council: “Whereas climate change is currently contributing to billions of dollars in property and infrastructure damage worldwide, stressing local and international economies; Whereas climate change is currently jeopardizing the health and survival of many species and other natural environments worldwide, stressing local and international ecosystems; Whereas climate change is currently harming human populations through rising sea levels and other extraordinary phenomena like intense wildfires worldwide, stressing local and international communities; Whereas recent international research has indicated a need for massive reduction in carbon emissions in the next 10 years to avoid further and devastating economic, ecological, and societal loss; Whereas the climate in Canada is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world, as per Canada’s Changing Climate report; Whereas an emergency can be defined as "an often dangerous situation requiring immediate action"; Whereas municipalities such as Kingston, Vancouver, London and Hamilton have already declared climate emergencies; Therefore, a climate emergency be declared by the City of Stratford for the purposes of naming, framing, and deepening our commitment to protecting our economy, our ecosystems, and our community from climate change.” |
| Corporate Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) |
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The Corporate Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) 2023 has been developed as a climate mitigation strategy for the City of Stratford with recommendations to strengthen climate action within all corporate operations including corporate-owned facilities, fleet, outdoor lighting, municipal solid waste, and water and wastewater infrastructure. The CEEP is intended to serve as a guiding document to steer municipal efforts towards decarbonization, aligning with our Council's commitment to reduce greenhouse gases. Key documents include:
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| Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) |
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The City's Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) was adopted by Council on August 12, 2024. This plan will guide Stratford in its collective efforts to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030, and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Stratford’s climate action efforts consist of more than just reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The goal is to make Stratford a more livable, connected, and healthy community. In order to get to carbon neutrality, we all need to work together. |
| O. Reg. 25/23 Broader Public Sector: Energy Reporting and Conservation and Demand Management Plan |
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As required by the Province of Ontario, O. Reg. 25/23 (formerly O. Reg. 507/18), the City develops a 5-year Corporate Energy Conservation & Demand Management Plan (CECDMP): |
Climate Change Initiatives
Green Recognition Program promoting sustainable practices within the community and raise awareness of initiatives being undertaken to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Recent Accomplishments
The City is committed to showcasing its sustainability efforts throughout operations and applying a climate lens across the board. Since 2021, there has been significant progress toward transitioning away from fossil fuels and implementation of initiatives that reduce energy wastage and eliminate emissions.
Here are some of the initiatives that have been implemented so far:
| Corporate Facilities |
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| Corporate Fleet |
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| Infrastructure Upgrades |
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| Outdoor Lighting |
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In partnership with Festival Hydro, ongoing upgrades of streetlights to LED fixtures have been made, resulting in energy and cost savings, and low maintenance requirements. |
| Ecosystem and Biodiversity |
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Ongoing retrofits to existing buildings include envelope upgrades, installation of insulation and high-performance windows, lighting upgrades to LEDs and replacement of fixtures with those that meet energy efficient standards such as Energy Star.
Ongoing end-of-life replacement of corporate fleet with hybrid or plug-in hybrid models and fully electric vehicle (EV) options, subject to availability. All future budgeted light duty vehicles are proposed to be hybrid, plug-in hybrids and EVs.
Ongoing tree planting efforts on public and private lands, with a strong focus on planting native species to promote biodiversity and increase carbon sequestration.