Climate Action

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.

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.”

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.

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 email our Climate Change Program Manager through the Infrastructure Services department, or reach out by phone at 519-271-0250 extension 5311.

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):