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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-005-20Clarington Staff 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: February 18, 2020 Reviewed By: Andrew C. Allison, CAO File Number: PLN 17.25 Report Number: CAO-005-20 Resolution#: GG-098-20 By-law Number: Report Subject: Partners for Climate Protection Program Recommendations: 1. That Report CAO-005-20 be received; 2. That Council endorse the attached Resolution (as Attachment 1 to Report CAO-005-20) to join the Federation of Canadian Municipalities — International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (FCM-ICLEI) Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program; 3. That Council appoint an elected official for the Municipality of Clarington to the FCM-ICLEI PCP program; 4. That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign any related agreements and/or reports; 5. That staff be directed to undertake the Five -Milestone Framework of the PCP program as part of the Clarington Climate Action Plan, which is currently under development; and 6. That all interested parties listed in Report CAO-005-20 and any delegations be advised of Council's decision. Municipality of Clarington Page 2 Report CAO-005-20 Report Overview Climate change is a global issue requiring local action. Municipalities are uniquely positioned to significantly reduce human -caused greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are contributing to climate change. As part of the Clarington Climate Action Plan, which is currently under development, the Municipality will set clear targets for corporate GHG reductions. While the Municipality continues to undertake multiple activities that aim to reduce GHGs at the corporate and community levels, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities — International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives Partners for Climate Protection program presents an opportunity to further strengthen our efforts and access additional resources and support at no additional cost to the Municipality. This report provides and overview of the Partners for Climate Protection program and requests Council's support to enroll in the Program, which will support the development of Clarington's Climate Action Plan. 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. In addition to taking action to prepare for the impacts of climate change, Clarington is taking action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Between 2016 and 2019 Clarington staff worked with staff from the Region of Durham, area municipalities and energy utilities in Durham Region to develop the Durham Community Energy Plan 2019 (DECP). The purpose of the DCEP is to "accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy in Durham, while simultaneously achieving multiple economic, environmental and social benefits." Council endorsed the DCEP in principal on November 25, 2019 (CAO-014-19). 1.3. In compliance with O. Reg. 507/18 of the Electricity Act, the Municipality compiles an annual municipal energy consumption report. These reports help staff track energy use and the impacts of their actions to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions and save the Municipality money. 1.4. In spring 2019 the Municipality released a 5-year corporate Energy Conservation Demand Management Plan (ECDM Plan). The ECDM Plan reviews the historical and forecasted energy performance of facilities that are owned and operated by the Municipality and recommends measures to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions, and save money. As part of this work, a corporate GHG inventory was compiled. Municipality of Clarington Page 3 Report CAO-005-20 1.5. On July 3, 2018, Council passed Resolution #GG-366-18, approving the establishment of an Interdepartmental Climate Change Working Group (ICCWG) 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). In May 2019, the Climate Change Response Coordinator began a 24-month contract with the primary responsibility to lead the initiation of an integrated approach to climate change action. 1.6. The ICCWG and Climate Change Response Coordinator are currently engaged in a 5- phase process to develop the corporate Clarington Climate Action Plan (CCAP). The CCAP will establish corporate GHG reduction targets and propose actions reduce corporate GHG emissions (mitigation) and adapt to the impacts of climate change (adaptation). 1.7. Data collection is completed for the adaptation components of CCAP and focus has now turned to developing the mitigation components of the plan. The FCM, in partnership with the Canadian chapter of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI Canada) have established the Partners for Climate (PCP) Program to guide municipalities in their efforts to reduce GHG emissions. 1.8. The PCP program's five -milestone framework has been identified as the industry best - practice for municipalities to establish and achieve GHG emissions reductions targets. Accordingly, the PCP program's five -milestone framework is being followed to support the development of the mitigation aspects of the CCAP. 1.9. This report asks council to formally participate the PCP program, providing an opportunity for staff to leverage the tools, resources and support provided to PCP program members and for the Municipality to be formally recognized for reaching key milestones in assessing and taking action to reduce Corporate GHG emissions. 2. Partners for Climate Change Protection Program 2.1. The Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program is a network of Canadian municipal governments that have committed to reducing GHGs and acting to respond to climate change in the community, corporation or both. 2.2. In Canada, the PCP program is implemented by the FCM, in partnership with ICLEI Canada. Since the program's inception in 1994 over 350 municipalities have joined. 2.3. The PCP program is guided by a flexible, performance based, Five -Milestone Framework. In following this framework, member municipalities are supported in the development of a local GHG inventory, setting GHG reduction targets, developing and implementing a local climate change action plan, and monitoring results. The five milestones are: Municipality of Clarington Report CAO-005-20 Milestone 1 — Create a Baseline GHG Emissions Inventory and Forecast Milestone 2 — Set Emissions Reduction Targets Milestone 3 — Develop a Local Action Plan Milestone 4 — Implement the Local Action Plan Milestone 5 — Monitor Progress and Report Results Page 4 2.4. Municipal staff are already following PCP's Five -Milestone Framework to establish corporate GHG emissions targets in developing the CCAP for the Corporation. Joining the PCP program will provide Clarington access to resources, information and tools that we would not otherwise have access to, to support the completion of each milestone. Resources includes case studies, webinars, templates, guidance documents, sample reports, and technical assistance. 2.5. PCP program members are also encouraged to network with other members, sharing knowledge and best practices, and identifying opportunities for collaboration and partnership. Municipalities receive recognition from FCM-ICLEI for milestone achievements and for reported measures. 2.6. Members of the PCP program are expected to move through the Five -Milestone Framework within 10 years of joining, report on progress at least once every two years, maintain up-to-date contact information, participate in program activities, and share our experience with other network members. 2.7. The PCP program is free to join and it is not legally binding. If a municipality is not able to meet the PCP program requirements, the municipality may leave the program at any time and re -join it at a later date. 3. PCP Program Enrolment & Next Steps 3.1. Municipal enrolment in the PCP program requires Council to pass a resolution confirming its participation and commitment to achieving the Five -Milestone Framework, as provided in Attachment 1. 3.2. Membership in the PCP program requires that one elected official representative and one corporate staff representative be appointed to oversee implementation of the PCP milestones and act as points of contact to communicate and promote the Municipality's involvement in the PCP program. If Council chooses to join as a member to the PCP program, a Council representative will need to be appointed. It is recommended that the Municipality's Climate Change Response Coordinator act as the Municipal staff representative for the PCP program. Municipality of Clarington Report CAO-005-20 Page 5 3.3. Endorsement of this resolution commits the Municipality to develop and implement an action plan to reduce GHG emissions at a corporate or community scale. Municipal staff are already engaged in the development of the CCAP, which will include a plan to reduce corporate GHG emissions. 3.4. Subject to Council resolution, staff will: • Submit the Council resolution to FCM to confirm the Municipality's participation in the program; and • Incorporate the Five -Milestone Framework of the PCP program into the CCAP, currently under development. 4. Conclusion The Municipality can play an important leadership role in reducing GHG emissions and building community resilience to the impacts of climate change, while contributing to a healthy and sustainable community for its residents. Participation in FMC-ICLEI's PCP program provides the Municipality with access to resources, tools and financial support as we work to develop a climate action plan for the Corporation, at no additional cost to the Municipality. Further, membership to the PCP program will demonstrate the Municipality's commitment to addressing climate change, using a systematic, organized, well -recognized and tested framework. Staff Contact: Doran Hoge, Climate Change Response Coordinator, 905-623-3379 ex 2429 or dhoge@clarington.net Attachments: Attachment 1 - Council Resolution to Join the Partners for Climate Protection Program The following interested parties will be notified of Council's decision: Durham Region Roundtable on Climate Change PCP Secretariat, Federation of Canadian Municipalities MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON General Government Committee Meeting RESOLUTION # DATE: February 18, 2020 Council Resolution to Join the FCM—ICLEI Partners for Climate Protection Program Whereas the Municipality of Clarington's Inter -departmental Climate Change Working Group (ICCWG) is developing the Clarington Climate Action Plan, which will include: a corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and forecast, corporate GHG reduction target, actions to reduce GHG emissions, and a strategy to implement and monitor the implementation of the Clarington's corporate climate actions; Whereas the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) have established the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program to provide a forum for municipal governments to share their knowledge and experience with other municipal governments on how to reduce GHG emissions; Whereas over 350 municipal governments across Canada representing more than 65 per cent of the population have already committed to reducing corporate and community GHG emissions through the PCP program since its inception in 1994; Whereas the PCP program is based on a five -milestone framework that involves completing a GHG inventory and forecast, setting a GHG reduction target, developing a local action plan, implementing the plan, and monitoring progress and reporting results; Be it resolved that the Municipality of Clarington communicate to FCM and ICLEI Canada its participation in the PCP program and its commitment to achieving the milestones set out in the PCP five -milestone framework; Be it resolved that the Municipality of Clarington appoint the following: a) Doran Hoge Climate Change Response Coordinator 905-623-3379 x2429 dhoge(o)_clarington.net Signature Date b) Elected official (Name) (Job Title) Contact Number Email Address Signature Date to oversee implementation of the PCP milestones and be the points of contact for the PCP program within the municipality.