Item - 2015.PE3.6

The Parks and Environment Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the Chief Corporate Officer to undertake the Transformation Toronto 2050: The Path to a Low Carbon Future initiative according to the Terms of Reference as outlined in the report (March 30, 2015) from the Chief Corporate Officer.

2.  City Council authorize the Chief Corporate Officer to enter into funding agreements to receive up to a maximum of $250,000 per annum and/or other related agreements (e.g. non-disclosure agreements) with community and not-for-profit foundations, government agencies, utility companies, and other partners, in forms satisfactory to the City Solicitor, to support research, program design and implementation activities in connection with this initiative, as required.

3.  City Council request the Chief Corporate Officer to report to the Parks and Environment Committee with updates on the development of the Transformation Toronto 2050: The Path to a Low Carbon Future initiative at key milestones and that the resultant strategic actions be submitted to City Council for approval.

Climate change is well understood to be the greatest environmental challenge of the 21^st century. The changes occurring in the global climate pose serious threats to our natural environment, our health, our jobs and economy. The challenge is great, but if we continue on the path towards a low carbon future there will be many new opportunities to create a more prosperous, liveable, connected and equitable Toronto.

In July 2007, Toronto City Council unanimously decided to address the challenge of climate change when it adopted the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent against 1990 levels by the year 2050. Toronto has made great strides towards that goal and it is estimated that emissions were 25 percent below 1990 levels in 2012, well exceeding the short-term target of a 6 percent reduction by 2012.  This achievement is recognized in part in the 2015 Sustainable Cities Index report, where Toronto is recognized as the most Sustainable City in North America taking into account economic, social and environmental criteria.

In order to maintain and improve Toronto's standing globally, new strategies and actions are required by all orders of government, residents and businesses to continue to curb emissions. If we act as part of a global effort to reduce carbon emissions, Toronto can help reduce the impacts of a changing climate on our city.

“Transformation Toronto 2050: The Path to a Low Carbon Future” is a proposed process for co-creating with residents, businesses, community organizations, research institutions and other orders of government the path to be taken to achieve the goal of a 80 percent reduction in emissions. This proposal, if adopted, will result in the development of a short-term strategy (2017-2020) for achieving the interim target of a 30 percent reduction in emissions by 2020 and a long-term (2020-2050) approach identifying how we can reduce emissions by 80 percent, while generating a more prosperous economy and liveable and healthier Toronto.

The actions and strategies that will emerge from “Transformation Toronto 2050: The Path to a Low Carbon Future” will build upon and replace the existing climate change mitigation strategies found in the Climate Change Action Plan (adopted in July 2007) and The Power to Live Green: Toronto’s Sustainable Energy Strategy (adopted in November 2009). Existing research and work, plus best practices from other cities will inform the project. Addressing climate change is a whole community effort and this process will use innovative approaches for co-creating with the Toronto community and other partners the steps and pathways needed to continue on the path towards a low carbon, prosperous, equitable, connected and healthier Toronto.