Owen Sound Advances Sustainability Efforts with Climate Action Strategy Progress

The City of Owen Sound continues to make significant progress on its Climate Action Strategy, with over half of its planned initiatives either completed or currently in progress. While significant steps have been taken, the City acknowledges that ongoing efforts are required to achieve its long-term climate goals.

Adopted in July 2023, the Climate Action Strategy incorporates both the Corporate Climate Adaptation Plan and the Climate Mitigation Plan. Together, these plans outline 61 action items aimed at reducing the City’s environmental impact and enhancing sustainability efforts. To date, 36 of these initiatives have been completed or are actively underway.

A report taken to Corporate Services on March 6th highlights the following progress made thus far:

• Completion of 19 out of 25 projects within the Corporate Climate Adaptation Plan, with four others moving forward as planned.
  
  
• Advancement of 13 projects in the Climate Mitigation Plan, with further initiatives scheduled to begin in 2025.
  
  
• Transitioning to a new software platform that will enhance tracking and reporting of the City’s climate action progress, including its 2026 and long-term reduction targets.
  
  
• Ongoing efforts to improve energy efficiency in City operations, such as LED lighting upgrades, HVAC optimizations, and automation enhancements.

While these milestones are promising, the City recognizes that continued focus and collaboration are needed to fully implement the Climate Action Strategy. Full status summaries of the Corporate Climate Adaptation Plan and the Climate Mitigation Plan are available online as attachments to the staff report.

The City remains committed to integrating climate considerations into its strategic planning, with all departments collaborating through an internal Climate Action Strategy Implementation working group.

Expenses for climate initiatives are integrated into existing operating and capital budgets, demonstrating a fiscally responsible approach to environmental sustainability.

For more information, please contact Bradey Carbert, Manager of Corporate Services, at 519-376-4440 ext. 1240 or email bcarbert@owensound.ca

Quick Facts:

• The City’s Climate Adaptation Plan includes 25 actions
• The Climate Mitigation Plan includes 36 actions

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