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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-013-23Clarbgton 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: Joint Committees Date of Meeting: June 19, 2023 Report Number: CAO-013-23 Submitted By: Mary -Anne Dempster, CAO Resolution#: JC-075-23 File Number: By-law Number: Report Subject: Corporate Climate Action Plan, Annual Update to June 2023 Recommendations: 1. That Report CAO-013-23 be received for information. Municipality of Clarington Report CAO-013-23 Report Overview Page 2 This report provides the second annual update on the implementation of the Clarington Corporate Climate Action Plan (CCAP) since its endorsement by Council in March 2021. It includes a summary of accomplishments in 2022 and priorities for 2023. This report also provides an update on the implementation of Clarington's 2019 Energy Conservation and Demand Management (ECDM) Plan. 1. Background Context 1.1 The climate crisis becomes more urgent each year. More frequent and intense extreme events will continue to cause widespread adverse impacts on nature and people. Action must happen immediately at the necessary scale to respond to this crisis. 1.2 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) noted in their 2022 update that North American cities have been affected by the severity and frequency of climate hazards and extreme events. Higher temperatures have increased morbidity and mortality. Extreme events have contributed to infrastructure damage, loss of livelihood, and safety concerns. Impacts are especially apparent for Indigenous communities who are closely connected to a resilient environment. 1.3 The Municipality of Clarington plays an important role in responding to climate change by decarbonizing corporate assets and operations and by instituting policies (e.g., land use), programs (e.g., fleet), and services to enable broader community -wide Green House Gas (GHG) emissions reductions, as well as improved resilience to extreme weather caused impacts associated with climate change. Previous Decisions 1.4 Since 2016, the Municipality of Clarington staff have participated in the Durham Community Energy Plan (DCEP) and the Durham Community Climate Adaptation Plan (DCCAP) with the Durham Region, other local area municipalities and local utilities. The DCCAP and DCEP contain actions to help the community prepare for climate change, reduce community GHG emissions and increase energy independence while promoting local economic development. Council endorsed the DCEP in 2019 (Report CAO-014- 19). 1.5 In 2013, the Municipality established the Priority Green Clarington initiative, providing a starting point framework for sustainable development guidelines (PSD-060-15). Municipality of Clarington Report CAO-013-23 Page 3 1.6 In 2019, The Municipality released the Clarington Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan 2019-2024. The ECDM plan identifies actions that the Municipality will take to conserve energy, reduce GHG emissions and save money in Municipal buildings. With the newly implemented energy tracking software, we can better track usage and emissions. 1.7 In February 2020, Council passed a motion to prioritize using low emissions vehicles in the municipal fleet, reducing corporate GHG emissions contributing to climate change. (Resolution: C-066-20). 1.8 On March 2, 2020, the Municipality declared a climate emergency, highlighting its commitment to protecting the community and ecosystems from climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are causing climate change (Resolution: GG-083-20). 1.9 In March 2021, Council endorsed the Clarington Corporate Climate Action Plan (PSD- 018-21). The CCCAP contains 116 actions to respond to limited risks posed by climate change and establishes corporate greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. The CCCAP sets a target to reduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions to 35% below 2018 baseline levels by 2030 and to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. 2. CCCAP Update 2022 CCCAP Update 2.1 Since the last CCCAP Update in 2022, Staff have been working on the identified action items. Actions started or completed in 2022 include: Action Ass. CCCAP Status Action Number Implementation of corporate energy management software to enable the Municipality to track GHG 1.1, 1.12 7.11 Complete emissions, waste and energy and water consumption Update of the Municipality's procurement policy to 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, Underway include sustainable procurement 1.33, 1.34 Investigate the feasibility of incorporating district energy 1.24 Underway into secondary plans Update the Municipal Green Development Framework to integrate into municipal development application 1.25, 1.26, 1.27 Underway processes Coordination with the Region of Durham on the creation Reduce GHG Underway of a region -wide EV education program emissions Municipality of Clarington Report CAO-013-23 Page 4 Coordination with the Region of Durham on the creation of a region -wide flood -risk communications strategy Reduce GHG emissions Underway Coordination with the region of Durham on the creation Reduce GHG and implementation of a region -wide home energy Underway retrofit program emissions Install 10 EV charge stations on municipal properties as Reduce GHG guided by the Clarington EV Action Plan, approved in Complete February 2022 emissions Table 1 — CCCAP Actions Completed in 2022 2023-24 CCCAP Next Steps: Plan Review & Technical Scenario Modelling 2.2 While the Municipality has made progress in its climate actions, it is not on track to meet the Council -endorsed target of an 80% reduction from 2018 baseline emission levels by 2030, and net zero emissions by 2050. The Interdepartmental Climate Change Working Group (ICCWG) is completing a review to assess the plan's progress and make necessary adjustments. This review will ensure that the plans remain relevant, adaptable, and effective in achieving Clarington's targets while promoting continuous improvement. 2.3 The Durham Region provided an update on their Durham Community Energy Plan (DCEP) in March 2023, confirming that the Region is not on track to meet the Council - endorsed targets. Staff have been working with the Region to close the gap, build climate actions and initiatives, achieve emissions targets, and enhance public transparency. 2.4 Staff are implementing the action items from PDS-045-021 to update Clarington's Planning and Development Design Standards to incorporate Green Development Standards, including updating policies and processes, finalizing a strategy to monitor uptake and effectiveness, and creating communications materials for staff and the public for public education. The revised Standards are anticipated to be complete by Q1 of 2024. 2.5 Technical modelling is a key factor in supporting the implementation and success of Clarington's climate action plans. This modelling plays a crucial role in the development and implementation of Clarington's net zero targets by: a. Understanding the current state — provide insights into the existing GHG emissions, energy usage patterns and the overall climate impact of Municipal operations. b. Setting ambitious yet feasible targets based on data — enable Staff and Council to make decisions to evaluate the feasibility of the targets set by analyzing different scenarios and the potential impacts. Municipality of Clarington Report CAO-013-23 Page 5 c. Identifying effective mitigation strategies — technical modelling will help to identify the most effective and cost-effective strategies to achieve our climate goals. It allows for simulating different policy interventions, such as carbon pricing or renewable energy incentives. Analyzing the results of these models will help Staff prioritize and implement measures that yield the most significant emissions reductions and other benefits. d. Assessing the economic implications — technical modelling will enable Staff to evaluate the costs and benefits of different policy choices and mitigation strategies. It can also help to identify potential impacts on employment, energy prices and economic growth. e. Informing policy decisions - provide Staff and Council with evidence -based insights to inform decision -making. It can help evaluate potential effectiveness, anticipate unintended consequences, and identify barriers or challenges. Using technical models, Staff and Council can make more data -driven, informed decisions and develop more robust climate action plans. It helps ensure that climate action plans are based on thorough analysis, are realistic in their goals, and have the potential to achieve meaningful emissions reductions and sustainable development. 3. Energy Conservation and Demand Management (ECDM) Update 2022 ECDM Update 3.1 Community Services, Facility Services Staff have been working to implement the ECDM, which was endorsed by the Council in June 2019 through resolution GG-416-19. The ECDM Plan Contains 45 specific measures that can be implemented in municipal facilities to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions. In 2022, the Municipality completed the following measures: Site Measures Fire Station #4 Programmable Thermostats Community HVAC System - Scheduling / Setback Resource Centre Table 2 — ECDM Actions Completed in 2022 2023 ECDM Next Steps 3.2 In 2023, Facilities Staff are working on the installation of the following measures, with some actions deferred from 2022: Municipality of Clarington Report CAO-013-23 Page 6 Site Measures Status Fire Station #2 NG Pulse Meter Deferred Visual Arts Centre Lighting Upgrade Obtaining Quotes Fire Station #2 HVAC System - Scheduling / Pending Setback Hampton Hall Lighting Retrofit / Controls Complete Hampton Operations Depot Motion Sensors Obtaining Quotes Hampton Operations Depot Other Lighting Upgrades 50% Complete Fire Station #1 Lighting Retrofit Obtaining Quotes Fire Station #2 Lighting Retrofit Obtaining Quotes Sarah Jane Williams Heritage Motion Sensor Lighting Controls Obtaining Quotes Centre Newcastle Branch LED Lighting Retrofit Obtaining Quotes Library Table 3 — ECDM Actions Scheduled for Completion in 2023 3.3 The ECDM will be updated in 2024 per O. Reg 507118: Broader Public Sector: Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plans (ECDM). 4. Financial Considerations 4.1 Based on preliminary research of similar work in other municipalities, the cost to complete the technical scenario modelling will be approximately $120,000. Staff will look to offset the cost of the work by applying for applicable grant funding, and funds are accounted for in the 2023 Operating Budget, regardless of grant funding. 4.2 The outcome of the plan review will impact 2024 Operating Budget requests as plans are updated to reflect the current market value and to support more significant actions as they are recommended to be implemented. 5. Concurrence This report has been reviewed by the Director of Community Services and the Director of Financial Services, who concurs with the recommendations. 6. Conclusion It is respectfully recommended that Council receive this report for information. Municipality of Clarington Report CAO-013-23 Page 7 Staff Contact: Natalie Ratnasingam, Climate Change Response Coordinator, 905-623-3379 ext. 2429 or nratnasingam(a-)clarington.net, or, Lee -Ann Reck, Manager Corporate Performance and Innovation, ext. 2508 or Ireck@clarington.net Attachments: Not Applicable Interested Parties: There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision.