******PRESS RELEASE********
Regional council got an update today on a number of key initiatives that focus on growing Waterloo Region sustainably over the next decade.
During the region's planning and works committee meeting, ClimateActionWR presented progress towards the region's greenhouse gas target and staff provided program updates highlighting work that is supporting climate transition.
It includes progress updates on the Corporate Climate Action Plan, Corporate Energy Plan, Long-Term Waste Management Strategic Plan, and Advancing a Thermal Strategy in Waterloo Region.
“To meet our 2030 targets, climate action must continue to be a collaborative effort in Waterloo Region,” said councillor Colleen James, chair of planning and works committee, in a press release.
“Today’s updates demonstrate how teams across the Region of Waterloo and the community are focused on mitigating and adapting to climate change, supporting a better future for all of us and our future generations.”
“Emissions are declining slowly in Waterloo Region,” said Tova Davidson, executive director of Sustainable Waterloo Region and ClimateActionWR lead.
“While advancements are being made in both community and corporate climate action planning, we need to make major transformations across the community buildings and transportation systems to get back on track.”
Highlights of each report include:
Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Inventory:
The community GHG emissions inventory measures progress towards the region's shared community emissions reduction target of 80 per cent by 2050 below 2010 levels.
Community GHG emissions in 2022 decreased by 12 per cent below the 2010 baseline.
An increase of four per cent over 2020 levels was observed in 2022, primarily driven by the removal of pandemic travel restrictions.
ClimateActionWR delegation stated that significant transformations are needed across building and transportation sectors to meet emissions reduction goals.
Corporate Climate Action Plan:
In 2022, Regional Council set the direction to establish the Corporate Climate Action Plan.
Currently in development, this plan will identify the corporate actions needed to fulfill the region’s role in achieving the community’s shared climate mitigation goals for 2050 by working toward a net-zero energy emissions target that will inform a decarbonization pathway modelling exercise.
Implementation of the plan will begin in 2025.
The Corporate Energy Plan:
The Region of Waterloo has implemented 210 or 350 energy projects within the first five years of the Corporate Energy Plan (2019-2028).
Highlights of the impacts to community and the corporation include:
- Saving $2.2 million in utility costs.
- Conserving 11,500 MWh of electricity (equivalent to 1,280 homes).
- Conserving 1,340,000 m3 of natural gas (equivalent to 550 homes).
- Reducing 3,700 tonnes of GHG emissions (equivalent to 800 vehicles).
- Securing almost $5.5 million in funding to advance regional and community projects.
Advancing a Thermal Strategy in Waterloo Region:
With buildings representing 46 per cent of community GHG emissions, there is an opportunity to offset over half of these emissions by leveraging waste heat that can be captured and delivered to office buildings or subdivisions.
A recent WR Community Energy report recommends the development of a business case to explore these opportunities.
Long-Term Waste Management Strategic Plan Review and Update:
The Region of Waterloo will be undertaking a strategic review and update of its long-term waste planning initiatives including exploring options to reduce waste through new and innovative diversion opportunities, collaborating with the community, area municipalities, and region partners to achieve climate emissions and energy consumption reduction targets, and aligning waste management services with the principles of a circular economy.
The review is anticipated to be completed in 2025.
