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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-011-19Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: November 4, 2019 Report Number: CAO-011-19 Submitted By: Andrew C. Allison, CAO By-law Number: File Number: PLN 17.25.8 Resolution#: Report Subject: Clarington Climate Action Planning Recommendation: 1.That Report CAO-011-19 be received for information. GG-510-19 & GG-512-19 C-391-19 Municipality of Clarington Page 2 Report CAO-011-19 1. Background 1.1 The climate is changing in Clarington. According to current climate projections, the Municipality will experience weather that is warmer, wetter and wilder before 2030. These climate changes will create challenges for the operation of the Municipality and place residents and the local economy at risk. 1.2 On July 3, 2018, Council passed Resolution #GG-366-18, approving the establishment of an Interdepartmental Climate Change Working Group and directing staff to prepare an application for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' (FCM) Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP) - Climate Change Staff Grants initiative (Report CAO-007-18). Report Overview In July 2018, the Municipality established an Interdepartmental Climate Change Working Group (ICCWG). In May 2019, we hired a Climate Change Response Coordinator. This report provides a summary of the work being undertaken by these individuals and other Clarington staff to lead the Municipality’s response to climate change. Key initiatives undertaken by staff include: 1) Continued development of the Clarington Climate Action Plan; 2) Partnership with the University of Toronto to develop a set of best practices for the successful implementation of the Clarington Climate Action Plan; 3) Participation in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Municipalities f or Climate Innovation Program (MCIP) to share knowledge, resources and best practices with municipalities across Canada on how to adapt to and mitigate climate change; 4) Establishment of the Rural Southern Ontario Climate Change (RSOCC) Community of Practice to share knowledge, resources and best practices with local rural municipalities on how to adapt to and mitigate climate change; 5) Participation in the Durham Region Natural Environment Climate Change Collaborative (NECCC) to update regional climate p rojections and represent Clarington on matters related to climate change at a Regional level; 6) Partnering with Trent University Durham Campus to develop the Clarington Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Strategy: 7) Participation in an Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program joint application for 62 EV charge stations across Durham Region, 5 of which would be located in Bowmanville; 8) Completion of an NRCan Energy Manager Program application, which would fund 100% of the costs associated with hiring a corporate Energy Manager; 9) Completion of an NRCan Energy Assessment Program application, which would fund 100% of the expenses associated with completing energy audits on two large recreation facilities; 10) Representing the Municipality at the 2019 Ontario Professional Planners Institute conference in Toronto, Ontario; and 11) Completion of the 2019 Energy Conservation and Demand Management (ECDM) annual provincial reporting and the five year corporate ECDM plan. Municipality of Clarington Page 3 Report CAO-011-19 1.3 A Terms of Reference for the ICCWG was approved by Department Heads in September 2018. In accordance with the established mandate, the ICCWG brings together representatives from across the Corporation to work collaboratively on a climate change vision for the Municipality and to identify, prioritize and implement climate change actions that are within Municipal control. 1.4 On December 5, 2018, staff received notice from FCM that the Municipality's application to the FCM MCIP - Climate Change Staff Grants initiative was successful. 1.5 The Climate Change Response Coordinator began a 24-month contract in May 2019. The Coordinator is intended to be a fully dedicated resource to:  lead the initiation of an integrated approach to climate change;  facilitate cross-corporate and inter-municipal efforts for collaboration, including coordination of the ICCWG;  leverage the existing regional foundation for climate change action, while taking into account the local context;  coordinate the Municipality’s response to opportunities for climate change resource and technical support; and  contribute to strengthening municipal policies and practices that support climate resilience and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. 2. Climate Change Action Plan 2.1 The ICCWG and Climate Change Response Coordinator are currently engaging in a 5- phase process to develop the corporate Clarington Climate Action Plan (CCAP). The Stages are described below. For more information on the Climate Action Plan work plan see Attachment 1. 2.2 Phase 1 - Initiation. This phase has involved identifying stakeholders and taking a first look current risks and existing climate action strategies. 2.3 Phase 2 - Research. This phase has involved initiating research to gain a deeper understanding of climate change in Clarington. This includes updating the Clarington Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory, updating the Corporate ECDM and related corporate GHG emission data, and undertaking a risk assessment, highlighting the consequences and likelihood of climate-related events in Clarington. 2.4 On September 5, 2019, representatives from all Municipal departments participated in half-day climate change risk assessment workshops. The workshops were separated into service areas and divided into social services and physical infrastructure. Participants learned about the projected future climate that Clarington can expect as a Municipality of Clarington Page 4 Report CAO-011-19 result of climate change. Participants brainstormed how Municipal services will be impacted by climate change. 2.5 On October 16, 2019, a second set of half-day climate change risk assessment workshops were held. During these workshops, participants assessed the level of risks identified in the first set of workshops. Participants prioritized responses to climate change based on identified risks. 2.6 Phase 3 – Planning. The ICCWG will engage in a series of workshops to set goals and identify options, actions and constraints to respond to climate change. The ICCWG will evaluate potential actions, financing options, and implementation alternatives to create the CCAP. At the end of this phase, staff will have completed a Draft CCAP, which will be presented to Council for approval. 2.7 Phase 4 – Implementation. Once the CCAP is approved by Council climate actions will be integrated into departmental work plans and budgeting process. Staff will identify successes and seek to solve new challenges that may arise while implementing the Plan. 2.8 Phase 5 – Monitor / Review. Staff will track the ongoing implementation of the corporate CCAP, identifying and reporting on successes and challenges. Staff will evaluate the effectiveness of actions, communicate accomp lishments, identify future climate action options and prepare for future updates to the CCAP. 2.9 The CCAP will focus on reducing greenhouse gases and adapting to the potential impacts of climate change through the prioritization and implementation of climate change actions that are within Municipal control. Community climate action planning is being led by Durham Region with the development of the Durham Community Climate Adaptation Plan (2016) and the Durham Community Energy Plan (2018). University of Toronto Research Partnership 2.10 Many municipalities have taken steps to develop plans to respond to climate change, but implementation of climate change action plans has been a challenge for municipalities. 2.11 The ICCWG has initiated a partnership with the University of Toronto to research the challenges and successes that municipalities face when implementing climate action plans. 2.12 Once the challenges to successful implementation are identified, a set of best practices for the implementation of climate plans will be compiled. The best practices will be used to create an implementation guide that will inform the implementation of the Clarington Climate Action Plan. Municipality of Clarington Page 5 Report CAO-011-19 2.13 Researchers will engage in the following 5-stage process to identify best practices for implementing the CCAP: Stage 1 - Research the challenges faced by municipalities who have reached the implementation phase of their climate action (adaptation or mitigation) plans. Stage 2 - Research existing practices that have been used by municipalities to successfully implement climate action plans. Stage 3 - Identify the greatest challenges and opportunities that Clarington may face while implementing its CCAP. Stage 4 - Develop a set of best practices that Clarington can follow to ensure long-terms success in implementing the CCAP. This will include a suite of creative (unique) solutions to the most common challenges that municipalities face. FCM Climate Change Community of Practice 2.14 As a condition of the FCM MCIP Climate Change Staff Grants initiative, the Climate Change Response Coordinator must participate in the FCM MCIP Community of Practice. 2.15 The FCM MCIP Community of Practice is made up of representatives from all 52 of the municipalities that received FCM MCIP Climate Change Staff Grants. 2.16 The purpose of the FCM MCIP community of practice is to:  share knowledge, resources and best practices with other municipalities on how to best adapt to and mitigate climate change; and  strengthen the network of municipalities working to mitigate and adapt to climate change. 2.17 On September 10 – 11, 2019, the Climate Change Response Coordinator attended a two-day Climate Change symposium put on by FCM. In attendance were all 52 of the FCM MCIP Community of Practice members, the FCM MCIP coordinators, and several organizations who have partnered with FCM to provide guidance to FCM MCIP members while they are developing their climate action plans. 2.18 Participants at the symposium attended workshops to share best practices for developing and implementing climate action plans and build relationships with representatives from other municipalities for purposes of collaboration. Municipality of Clarington Page 6 Report CAO-011-19 2.19 During the symposium, FCM launched an online forum for FCM MCIP members share knowledge, resources and best practices with other municipalities on how to best adapt to and mitigate climate change, and strengthen the network of municipalities working to respond to climate change. Rural Southern Ontario Climate Change Community of Practice 2.20 As a stipulation of the FCM MCIP Climate Change Staff Grants, participating municipalities are encouraged to develop local climate change networks. 2.21 On June 18, 2019 representatives from several municipalities located north and east of Toronto met in Northumberland County to establish a Rural Southern Ontario Climate Change (RSOCC) Community of Practice. 2.22 Members of the Community of Practice include: Municipality of Clarington, Township of Selwyn, City of Peterborough, Town of Whitby, King Township, Northumberland County, Wellington County, District Municipality of Muskoka, Tay Valley Township and Dufferin County. 2.23 The purpose of the RSOCC Community of Practice is to:  share knowledge, resources and best practices with other municipalities on how to best adapt to and mitigate climate change;  strengthen the network of municipalities working to mitigate and adapt to climate change; and  identify opportunities for collaboration. 2.24 The RSOCC Community of Practice will communicate to share knowledge and resources on an ongoing basis online, and meet in-person quarterly to collaborate on climate change initiatives. Participating municipalities will alternate hosting the quarterly meetings. 3. NECCC Climate Change Collaborative 3.1 In December 2016, the document “Towards Resilience, Durham Community Climate Adaptation Plan 2016” (DCCAP) was approved in principle by Durham Region Council and the following year received support from all 8 local municipalities and 5 conservation authorities. 3.2 The DCCAP contains 18 objectives and corresponding proposed programs for implementation to contribute to reducing the predicted risks that climate change poses to the community. The Climate Change Response Coordinator represents the Municipality on the Implementation Planning Steering Committee for the DCCAP. Municipality of Clarington Page 7 Report CAO-011-19 3.3 The Natural Environment Climate Change Collaborative (NECCC) supports the implementation of the Natural Environment Sector Objectives and Programs as contained on page 63-4 of the DCCAP. The Collaborative will be the expert voice with respect to adaptation programs/projects supporting resiliency of the natural environment within Durham Region. 3.4 The Clarington Climate Change Response Coordinator is representing the Municipality of Clarington on the NECCC’s Leadership Team. The purpose of the leadership team is to:  focus on providing guidance, directing work plans, providing oversight and committing human resources from their organizations to assist the Collaborative; and  provide communication between respective agencies and within their own organization including their staff on other committees and other senior management. 3.5 In late 2018, the Region of Durham’s Office of Sustainability, Planning and Economic Development and the NECCC were successful in our application to the Greenbelt Foundation to update region-wide climate change projections. 3.6 The purpose of this project is to address the Region’s now dated climate change projection methodology while providing a consistent data layer of climate change projections across the Region. 3.7 The climate change projections will be used in a variety of projects including:  identifying vulnerable areas and potential adaptation restoration sites;  informing the Region’s Municipal Comprehensive Review; watershed plan updates and/or equivalent studies; and  supporting the implementation and achievement of plan objectives. 3.8 The methodology developed though this project will also enable other municipalities to derive climate change projections using a consistent approach within their jurisdiction. 3.9 The climate projections derived from this project have been used during the Clarington climate risk assessment workshops and will serve as the foundational information for the Clarington Climate Action Plan. For more information about the regional climate change projections update see Attachment 2. Municipality of Clarington Page 8 Report CAO-011-19 4. Clarington EV Infrastructure Strategy Partnership with Trent University 4.1 In July 2019, the Climate Change Response Coordinator initiated a partnership with Trent University Durham Campus to develop a Clarington Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy, at no cost to the Municipality. 4.2 If current trends continue, by 2030 half of the vehicles on the road will be electric. By 2020, every major car manufacturer will be selling models of domestic battery strategy (BEVs). 4.3 Several companies are developing EV options for commercial use including busses, pickup trucks, garbage trucks, transport trucks, tractors, and Zambonis. These options will provide a greater range of alternatives for the Municipality to consider when replacing its vehicle fleet. 4.4 The Clarington Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy will highlight municipal best practices related to the adoption, use, administration and maintenance of EVs and EV charging infrastructure and enable Council to:  establish what role the Municipality, partner organizations and the private sector should play in providing electric vehicle infrastructure and services;  respond proactively to the growing demand for electric vehicle infrastructure and services;  make informed decisions about EV adoption and use.  make informed decisions about EV changing infrastructure options related to public streets and buildings, new commercial and residential developments and parking renewal projects;  increase public and municipal staff awareness about EV charging infrastructure;  encourage/support faster adoption of electric vehicles to aid in reducing greenhouse gas pollution;  be a regional leader in the development of a forward-thinking EV infrastructure strategy that will benefit our residents; and  determine whether to pursue cost recovery to help fund the infrastructure. 4.5 Work on the EV Infrastructure Strategy began in mid-September 2019. A final draft will be presented to Council for approval in May 2020. Strategy recommendations will be integrated into the CCAP. Municipality of Clarington Page 9 Report CAO-011-19 5. NRCan Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program Joint Application 5.1 In July 2019, the Climate Change Response Coordinator and the ICCWG initiated the creation of a region-wide Electric Vehicle Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure working group to explore the possibility of submitting a proposal to the NRCan Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program). Through this program, funding of up to 50 per cent of the capital costs (to a maximum of $42,000) are available to supplement the costs associated with purchasing and installing EV charging infrastructure. 5.2 Between July and September 2019, the Climate Change Response Coordinator worked with representatives from Ajax, Clarington, Oshawa, Oshawa PUC Networks, Whitby and the Region of Durham to prepare a proposal for a Region wide network of Level 2 EV charging stations. The final proposal, submitted to NRCan in September, included 60 Level 2 EV chargers across 21 municipally-owned, publicly accessible sites within Durham. 5.3 The proposed sites were carefully chosen to cover the large geography of the region and be near to downtowns or in locations regularly accessed by the public. The proposed sites included installing EV chargers at recreation facilities, long-term care homes, theatres, downtown parking lots and municipal buildings. At each of these locations, visitors generally stay for 1-2 hours. The chargers will have high visibility and will be used by multiple customers throughout the day, and will support the goal of building awareness of EVs in the community and decreasing range anxiety. 5.4 Within the application, 3 Level 2 EV charging stations (with 5 charge points) were proposed to be located in Bowmanville at the municipal parking lot located at 34 Division St., Bowmanville (see Attachment 3 for a map of the location) 5.5 Applicants will be informed whether their applications are successful in November 2019. If successful, Staff would report back to Council with a proposal for the balance of the finance shortfall. Municipality of Clarington Page 10 Report CAO-011-19 6. Natural Resources Canada Energy Manager and Energy Assessment Program Funding Submission NRCan Energy Manager Program 6.1 In late September 2019, the Climate Change Response Coordinator compiled and submitted a proposal to NRCan to fund 100% of the costs associated with hiring a full time Energy Manager for 24 months and conducting an energy audit on two Municipal facilities. 6.2 If awarded, the principal role of Energy Manager will be to support municipal staff with the implementation of Clarington’s 2019-2024 Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan (ECDM Plan). The ECDM Plan outlines the current energy consumption of municipally operated facilities and how the Municipality can reduce overall energy consumption, operating costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 6.3 Hiring a dedicated Energy Manager is a critical next step to advance the Municipality’s energy conservation goals. The roles of the Energy Manager will be to:  guide the implementation of the energy strategies outlined in the Municipality’s ECDM Plan;  encourage the development of a corporate culture of energy efficiency;  guide a pilot implementation of Elexicon Group’s CircuitMeter technology - a real- time energy management and monitoring system that integrates sub-metering hardware and data collection software;  identify local energy generation alternatives including the use of micro -grid technologies, backup energy storage, clean energy placement and business development;  represent the Municipality on Region-wide energy initiatives including the Durham Community Energy Plan Steering Committee; and  chair a sub-committee of the ICCWG, established to facilitate and monitor implementation of the ECDM Plan. NRCan Energy Assessment Program 6.4 One of the roles of the Energy Manager will be to guide the pilot implementation of CircuitMeter technology to conduct energy audits on the South Courtice Arena (1595 Prestonvale Road, Courtice Ontario) and the Garnet Rickard Recreation Complex (2440 Highway 2, Bowmanville). Municipality of Clarington Page 11 Report CAO-011-19 6.5 These two large recreation centers were identified as having high rates of electricity consumption and GHG emissions, and therefore the greatest opportunity to reduce electricity consumption and GHG emissions, and save the Municipality money. 6.6 CircuitMeter is a real-time energy management and monitoring system that integrates sub-metering hardware and data collection software. The data gathered through the use of this technology will enable the Energy Manager and municipal staff to:  undertake an energy audit for each facility;  collect real-time energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data;  benchmark power use for all equipment in each facility;  identify systems that are not running optimally or running unnecessarily; and  inform the recommissioning of technologies in each facility to ensure optimal operation and reduce energy consumption. 6.7 Once the energy audits are complete and buildings have been recommissioned, the CircuitMeter technology will be used to:  provide an ongoing ‘audit’ of energy consumption and operations optimization  provide notifications when power consumption exceeds pre-set thresholds;  help facility staff prevent “drift” in building performance by maintaining systems to remain below energy benchmarks;  provide regular feedback to employees about energy consumption to encourage energy saving behaviors;  continuously monitor of power use to identify, analyze and fix problems as they occur; and  target just-in-time maintenance and avoid the costs associated with of over- maintenance or unexpected equipment breakdowns. 7. OPPI Presentation 7.1 On October 1,, 2019, Doran Hoge, Clarington’s Climate Change Response Coordinator, represented the Municipality with Kristy Kilbourne, Planner, Region of Durham, and Chris Jones, Director of Planning and Regulation, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, at the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) Conference. 7.2 The presentation outlined the collaborative tools that have been used in Durham Region to collaborate on responses to climate and incorporate climate change adaptation and mitigation into policies. Municipality of Clarington Page 12 Report CAO-011-19 7.3 The presentation also highlighted the leadership role that the Municipality has played by working to develop a corporate CCAP and by participating in the development and implementation of the Durham Community Climate Adaptation Plan and the Durham Community Energy Plan. 8. ECDM Provincial Reporting and ECDM Plan 8.1 O. Reg. 507/18 of the Electricity Act requires the Municipality to submit an annual report on energy use across the Municipality to the Ministry of Energy by July 1st. These reports help staff track energy use and the impacts of our actions to reduce energy consumption. The compiled information enables the Municipality to make informed decisions about opportunities to reduce its energy consumption and save money. 8.2 In compliance with O. Reg. 507/18, in spring 2019 the Municipality released a 5-year corporate ECDM Plan. The ECDM Plan reviews the historical and forecasted energy performance of the facilities that are owned and operated by the Municipality and recommends measures to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions and save money. 9. Conclusion It is respectfully recommended that Report CAO-011-19 be received for information. If the Municipality is successful in its NRCan Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program Joint Application, staff will report back and seek direction from Council. Staff Contact: Doran Hoge, Climate Change Response Coordinator, 905-623-3379 ext. 2429 or dhoge@clarington.net. Attachments: Attachment 1 – Climate Action Plan work plan Attachment 2 – Durham Region Climate Change Ensemble Modelling Project Attachment 3 – Map of NRCan Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program Joint Application proposed Clarington EV Charge Station Locations Interested Parties: There are no interested parties to be notified Project ManagementUpdated October 19Phase 4 - Climate Action Planweek 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4CCWG team meetingsxxxxxxxxDevelopment of strategy for engaging external and internal stakeholders`FCM Community of PracticexxPreparing FCM reports / submissionsxCreation of project team (CCWG)Review current climate change policies, practices and innitiativesReview existing climate change plans and studiesDevelop an itteraterative project workplanEvaluate frameworks and programs for climate action planning and support opportunities, and determine budget requirementsdevelop community climate change risks / vulnerabilities / opportunities assessment (baseline data) (community)x xResearch and develop list of current climate change impacts and affected municipal services (corporate)Articulate vision and general goals / Set action plan parametersxExtablish communications approachxClimate change risks / vulnerabilitiesxSet specific goalsxEvaluate RisksxIdentify ActionsxxxWrite CCCAPOctober November DevemberPhases 1 - InnitiateYear 1 - 2019April May JuneJulyPhase 2 - Research Phase 5 - CCAP implementation and monitoring strategyAugust September week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4CCWG team meetingsCommunity of PracticePreparing FCM reports / submissionsxxEvaluate and Select ActionsxxBrainstorm Implementation and Monitoring Strategy (Munipal Leads, Community Partners, Timelline, Curent Status, Tasks, Measuring Success)xWrite CCCAPCCCAP review and revisexCCCAP council report prepReport / Presentation to Council on CCCAPxDevelopment CCCAP Implementaiton and Monitoring Strategy xCommunity Engagement SessionsxCCCAP Implementation and Monitoring Strategy - Review and ReviseCouncil Report Prep Report to CounclxImplementationweek 1week 2week 3week 4week 1week 2week 3week 4CCWG team meetingsPreparing FCM reports / submissionsxImplementationJanuary FebruaryYear 3 - 2021November DevemberJuneYear 2 - 2020MayJanuary February March AprilAugust September October Durham Region Climate Change Ensemble Modelling Project Project Brief Background The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a report in October 2018 that stated, “For some time, we have known that global warming is neither linear in growth nor equal in its impact across the globe”. Durham Region (“the Region”) currently has climate change (CC) projections which have served as the foundation of significant actions on CC mitigation and adaptation in the Region. In late 2018, the Region of Durham’s Office of Sustainability, Planning and Economic Development and the Natural Environment Climate Change Collaboration (see list of partners under ‘Application’) were successful in their application to the Greenbelt Foundation to update this climate change information. Purpose The purpose of this project is to address the Region’s now dated climate change (CC) projection methodology while providing a consistent data layer of CC projections across the Greenbelt municipalities and watersheds within the Region. The CC projections will be used in a variety of projects including: identifying vulnerable areas and potential adaptation restoration sites; the Region’s Municipal Comprehensive Review; watershed plan updates and/or equivalent studies; and support the implementation of the Greenbelt Plan and achievement of plan objectives. The methodology report from this project will also enable other Greenbelt municipalities to derive climate change projections using a consistent approach within their jurisdiction. Approach An ensemble approach has been cited as the preferred method for CC modelling by the Ontario Expert Panel on Climate Change Adaptation (Tomalty and Komorowski, 2011) and the Ontario Climate Consortium (OCC, 2018, 39). An ensemble approach can provide more representative range of projections of seasonal temperature and precipitation than any single climate model (Tomalty and Komorowski, 2011). It is anticipated that updating climate change projections using an ensemble approach will continue to reflect a “warmer, wetter and wilder” climate in the Region. However, this updated approach will include additional parameters; consider CC in the short, mid and long term timeframes, and enhance consistency across all Region municipalities. The goal of this project is: A. To create an updated, ensemble approach model for CC analysis which allows for a full range of climate projections, including extremes and averages, to be captured for the Region. B. To provide the climate data to inform the Region’s Climate Adaptation Planning efforts, updated watershed planning documents for Provincial Plan conformity, other policies as well as official plan recommendations. C. To provide the methodology of the climate data analyses so that other Greenbelt municipalities and conservation authorities may replicate, adapt and build on the approach for their region. D. To complement and/or update existing CC projections for Toronto and Region and Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authorities; the model will provide a baseline for Ganaraska Region, Central Lake Ontario and Kawartha Region Conservation Authorities who currently have no CC information. This will in turn benefit the 8 municipalities within the Region (Note: The CA watershed boundaries extend beyond the boundaries of the Region and the Greenbelt). E. To provide a consistent approach across the Region that can be utilized by all 8 municipalities within the Region and CAs for decision making, mitigation and adaptation planning F. To serve as the foundational data for future projects that will identify risks and threats and to conduct vulnerability assessment which will further info decision making, policies and practice in the Region Partners A range of agencies and organizations, including the Region’s 8 area municipalities (Brock Township, City of Oshawa, City of Pickering, Municipality of Clarington, Town of Ajax, Town of Whitby, Township of Scugog and Township of Uxbridge), the five conservation authorities whose jurisdiction includes parts of the Region (Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, Kawartha Region Conservation Authority, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Toronto Region Conservation Authority), and the Region’s Agricultural community will use the updated climate projections in their CC adaptation and mitigation work. The Ontario Climate Consortium (OCC) has been selected by these partners to lead the technical portion of this analysis and support in the development of all deliverables. The Region of Durham and the Greenbelt Foundation have committed funds to the project; the other partners will contribute in-kind contributions. Application The CC projections will be used to inform the Region’s Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR), watershed planning and other projects as well as at the technical level to identify sites for natural solutions to adapt for climate change vulnerable sites, enhancement of Conservation Authority natural heritage systems which inform Regional and municipal natural heritage systems. The completion of this climate information will support implementation of the Provincial Greenbelt Plan with respect to CC. This information will support the adoption and implementation of sustainable land uses, restoration and other green projects in keeping with the principles of the Greenbelt Plan to protect the long term viability of natural areas and agricultural lands for future generations that will rely on the productivity of these areas.