The ResiLienT Loyalist Township Climate Action Plan represents the municipality’s first steps towards local climate action. The target sectors and goals were developed based on feedback garnered throughout various engagement sessions and reflect corporate and community priorities. If properly implemented, this plan will contribute to a culture of Climate Action in Loyalist and act as a steppingstone towards more ambitious targets in the future, especially when considering the federal target of Net-Zero emissions by 2050.
Some of the initiatives discussed in this plan will require a significant amount of public feedback and the development of robust funding strategies, while others rely technologies that are just starting to emerge on the market. As such, they will gradually be implemented over the 10-year period covered by this document, as appropriate.
Below are the identified ResiLienT Loyalist Township Climate Action Plan target sectors and goals.
Sustainable Land Use
Meet the current and future needs of the Loyalist Community while incorporating practices that will protect the environment and support local agriculture.
| Plant 20,000 Trees |
| 20,000 additional trees planted by 2030. |
| Rewild Township-owned Land |
| Pilot projects to replace turf areas in municipal parks or right-of-way with native plants. |
| Incorporate LID into Stormwater Management Practices |
| Incorporate Low Impact Development concepts into stormwater management activities. |
| Develop a Pollinator Protection Strategy |
| Develop a pollinator protection strategy and create pollinator friendly areas across the Township. |
| Promote Access to Nature |
| Expand the natural trail network and acquire land to increase public access to nature. |
| Support Local Agriculture |
| Encourage and support local farmers to adopt sustainable land use practices and promote agritourism in Loyalist Township. |
| Promote Local Foods |
| Encourage Community Sustained Agriculture programs and facilitate the creation of community gardens. |
| Create Resilient, Low Carbon Communities |
| Encourage the development of complete communities through mixed land use and a diversity of residential types. |
Waste Reduction
Divert waste away from landfill and promote a circular economy.
| Divert Residential Waste Away from Landfills |
| Implement a residential organic waste diversion program. |
| Support SME Waste Reduction Efforts |
| Support local businesses to reduce waste generated as part of their operations. |
| Turn Waste into a Resource |
| Convert solid waste and sewage biosolids into a resource. |
| Reduce Methane Emissions |
| Reduce methane emissions from landfills. |
Transportation
Provide residents with enhanced transit services and promote the uptake of low-carbon fuels in vehicles, all while maintaining expected levels of service.
| Enhance Transit Services |
| Develop and implement a suitable plan public transit plan. |
| Increase the Active Transportation Network |
| Enhance the active transit network within Loyalist Township. |
| Facilitate the adoption of EVs in the community |
| Encourage purchase of electric vehicles by installing public, pay per-use charging infrastructure across Township. |
| Optimize Use of Municipal Vehicles |
| Investigate inter-departmental vehicle sharing opportunities and promote eco-driving techniques. |
| Electrify the Municipal Fleet |
| Convert gasoline-powered vehicles and equipment to electric alternatives as part of lifecycle activities. |
| Replace Heavy-Duty Vehicles with Zero Emissions Alternatives |
| Convert heavy-duty vehicles to zero-emissions alternatives as technology becomes available. |
Buildings
Increase the energy efficiency of existing residential, commercial, and municipal buildings, and promote the construction of new buildings designed to exceed existing energy standards.
| Reduce Residential Energy Usage |
| Reduce residential energy usage by developing energy retrofit programs and promoting available incentives. |
| Increase Commercial and Institutional Energy Efficiency |
| Increase the energy efficiency of local business operations. |
| Develop Green Building Standards for New Construction |
| Partner will local developers to develop voluntary green building standards and incentivize their adoption. |
| Reduce Energy Usage in Municipal Facilities |
| Reduce the usage of energy in municipal facilities through changes in building operations and upgrades. |
| Incorporate Renewable Energy Infrastructure into Municipal Facilities |
| Incorporate renewable energy infrastructure into municipal facilities as part of lifecycle activities, where an when appropriate. |
Water and Wastewater
Reduce residential water usage and the amount of energy required to treat, distribute, or collect water and wastewater.
| Reduce Water Losses in the Distribution System |
| Reduce the amount of water losses in the potable water distribution system. |
| Reduce I&I in the Collection System |
| Reduce the amount of inflow and infiltration in the sewer collection system. |
| Reduce per Capita Water Usage |
| Reduce per capita residential water usage rates in serviced areas to below 200 L / day |
| Increase the Efficiency of Mechanical Systems |
| Increase the efficiency of mechanical systems at water and sewer facilities as part of life cycle activities. |
| Capture and Reuse Waste Energy |
| Capture and reuse waste energy in sewage treatment facilities. |
Other
Undertake initiatives which may not have a direct and quantifiable impact on GHG emissions in Loyalist, but that will contribute to a culture of climate action while promoting community resiliency and financial sustainability.
| Incorporate Sustainability into Corporate Procurement |
| Incorporate sustainability into corporate procurement practices by evaluating the entire lifecycle costs of goods and services. |
| Coordinate the Purchase of Goods and Services with Local Organizations |
| Assist with the bulk purchase of sustainable goods and services to allow local organizations to benefit from bulk pricing. |
| Incorporate Sustainable Practices in Construction Activities |
| Update the Township construction design guidelines and encourage the reuse of materials generated on construction sites. |
| Partner with Local Industries and Academic Institutions |
| Partner with local industry and academic institutions to explore innovative ways of delivering services. |
| Strengthen Community Relationships |
| Create a culture of sustainability and civic engagement. |
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