Item - 2016.HL13.4
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Board of Health on July 4, 2016 and was adopted without amendment.
HL13.4 - Health Benefits of a Low-Carbon Future
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Board Decision
The Board of Health:
1. Requested the Medical Officer of Health to collaborate with the City's Chief Corporate Officer, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, to contribute a health perspective to TransformTO;
2. Forwarded the report (June 10, 2016) from the Medical Officer of Health to the Parks and Environment Committee; and
3. Forwarded the report (June 10, 2016) from the Medical Officer of Health to the City Manager, Chief Corporate Officer, Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Federal Minister of Health, Chief Public Health Officer for Canada, Ontario Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, and Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario.
Origin
Summary
This report summarizes the results of a review of Health Benefits of a Low-Carbon Future. This review of published research was undertaken to identify the health benefits and any harms that are likely to result from actions that could be taken to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Toronto. This work is an element of Toronto Public Health's (TPH's) Climate Change and Health Strategy for Toronto, and it also supports TransformTO, the City's long-term GHG-reduction strategy being led by the City's Environment and Energy Division and Toronto Atmospheric Fund. The Health Benefits review examined health benefits and harms of GHG-reduction actions in the following sectors: transportation, buildings (including energy), urban form, food systems and waste management.
The results of this review indicate that actions to reduce GHG emissions in Toronto will also benefit health. GHG-reduction actions that are particularly beneficial to health are those that increase physical activity, reduce fossil fuel consumption and air pollutant emissions, reduce the risk of injury or encourage a healthier diet. Based on the published research reviewed, some GHG-reduction actions appear to be "win-win" options that have the potential to reduce GHG emissions and also benefit health, and merit further investigation. The review findings will be incorporated into TPH's future work and will inform the TransformTO process.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-94549.pdf