Climate Action Plan

Improving the energy efficiency of your home can save money, improve home comfort and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Most homes use fossil fuels such as natural gas, oil and/or propane for thermal (heat) energy needs. Certain measures can help reduce and/or avoid the use of fossil fuels, lessening your impact on the environment.

The City of Burlington is working with the Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College to develop a home energy retrofit program which will include developing a business plan for a delivery centre, assessing financing options for homeowners, and providing information sessions for homeowners. Community engagement will be part of the process, including a survey of homeowners to assess opportunities and barriers for improving energy efficiency. More information will be provided as the project progresses. In addition, the City is submitting an application to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for funding to support this initiative.

For more information and resources related to home energy efficiency retrofits, check out the Energy page at www.burlington.ca/environment.

At the Sept. 28 Burlington City Council meeting, staff’s proposal to work with the Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College to develop a deep energy retrofit program was approved. Implementation of a deep energy retrofit (DER) program can help homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their home, reduce their carbon footprint and increase home comfort. A DER program will help Burlington meet its Climate Action Plan objective to become a net-carbon neutral community by 2050.

Staff will be applying to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Community Efficiency Financing initiative for a grant to support this work and will work with Mohawk College to finalize the agreement to oversee this partnership. Further details on community engagement opportunities will be available as the project progresses.

What is a Deep Energy Retrofit Program?

A deep energy retrofit program involves a systems approach to reducing carbon emissions from existing buildings, with a focus on actions that will reduce and/or eliminate the use of fossil fuels as a source of energy. Typically, there is a hierarchy of measures which can be implemented:

• Adding insulation
• Sealing air leaks
• Upgrading mechanical systems
• Replacing windows and/or doors
• Water efficiency upgrades
• Thermal controls
• Renewable energy

Depending on the work required, a deep energy retrofit can cost up to $30,000. Retrofits can be more cost-effective if timed with home renovations.

For more information and to subscribe to updates, go to burlington.ca/environment

On July 6^th, staff will present a report to the Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Committee (of council) on options to implement a deep energy efficiency retrofit program for homes in Burlington. Staff are recommending that the city join with a municipal consortium led by the Clean Air Partnership, with support from the Independent Electricity System Operator, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, HRAI (Heating, Refrigeration and Air Condition Institute of Canada) and City of Toronto to develop a residential financing program. Other measures being recommended to support homeowners looking to improve the energy efficiency of their homes:

• Updating the environment web page with resources
• Support the Bay Area Climate Change Council and Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College to develop an accelerator program to assist homeowners with home energy efficiency measures
• Engage local trades and contractors to educate them about deep energy retrofits
• Engage the Climate Action Plan community stakeholders to support home energy retrofits
• Co-promote actions such as renewable energy, climate change resiliency (flood proofing), electric vehicles and bikes, and e-equipment (lawn mowers, trimmers and leaf blowers)
• Consider the creation of a community-based demonstration centre for energy efficiency and resiliency measures

The City of Burlington declared a Climate Emergency early in 2019 and directed staff to complete a Climate Action Plan. Following a community engagement process and the modelling of energy and community data, a draft Climate Action Plan was presented by staff at the Dec. 2nd Committee of the Whole meeting. The draft plan was made available during December and January for public review and feedback. The final plan is being presented to the Environment, Infrastructure & Community Services Committee on March 9^th - read the report and the Action Plan. The plan includes seven key program areas to help the community transition away from the use of fossil fuels, particularly for buildings and transportation including:

• Low carbon building guidelines (for new buildings)
• Deep home energy retrofit program (for existing buildings)
• Renewable energy cooperative
• Integrated mobility
• Electric mobility and equipment
• Waste
• Industrial processes

If you would like to speak to Council about this report, you may register to delegate – you have until Friday, Mar. 6^th at 12:00 noon to register.

Thanks to everyone that provided input into the development of the Climate Action Plan to help Burlington achieve its goal to become a net carbon neutral community.

Key program areas in the draft plan include:

• Low carbon new buildings
• Deep energy retrofits for existing buildings
• Renewable energy
• Integrated mobility
• Electric mobility and equipment
• Waste reduction
• Industry processes

Read the report

If you'd like to speak to Council about this report, you may register to delegate - you have until Friday, Nov. 29th at 12:00 noon to register.