Climate Action Plan
The City of Burlington has declared a Climate Emergency and on April 20, 2020 a community-based Climate Action Plan was approved at Council.
The plan includes seven key program areas to help the community transition away from the use of fossil fuels, particularly for buildings and transportation.
Related projects and policies include the Integrated Mobility Plan*; the Electric Mobility Strategy*; the Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program (HERO)*; the Sustainable Buildings and Development Guidelines; and Renewable Energy best practices research*.
(* means project is under development)
Read what the City of Burlington is doing to take action on climate change.
The City of Burlington has declared a Climate Emergency and on April 20, 2020 a community-based Climate Action Plan was approved at Council.
The plan includes seven key program areas to help the community transition away from the use of fossil fuels, particularly for buildings and transportation.
Related projects and policies include the Integrated Mobility Plan*; the Electric Mobility Strategy*; the Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program (HERO)*; the Sustainable Buildings and Development Guidelines; and Renewable Energy best practices research*.
(* means project is under development)
Read what the City of Burlington is doing to take action on climate change.
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Better Homes Burlington and Solar Building Permit Grant
Share Better Homes Burlington and Solar Building Permit Grant on Facebook Share Better Homes Burlington and Solar Building Permit Grant on Twitter Share Better Homes Burlington and Solar Building Permit Grant on Linkedin Email Better Homes Burlington and Solar Building Permit Grant linkDid you know the City has a limited number of zero interest loans for residents to install an air source heat pump in 2024? And that we also have a pilot program to offer residents a grant to cover the cost of the building permit required for rooftop solar panels until the end of 2024? For more information, check out our Better Homes Burlington page and see if you’re eligible for either of these programs. You can contact our program coordinator to discuss options at betterhomes@burlington.ca.
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Taking Action on Climate Change
Share Taking Action on Climate Change on Facebook Share Taking Action on Climate Change on Twitter Share Taking Action on Climate Change on Linkedin Email Taking Action on Climate Change linkTaking Action on Climate Change
Our climate is changing. It's not just about polar bears and melting ice caps; it's about our homes, our communities, and our future.
We all need to ‘Take Action Burlington’ to:
- Reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and
- Take steps to adapt to our warmer, wetter and wilder weather.
Small actions can lead to big impacts. Whether it's reducing single-use plastics, making the switch to active and sustainable modes of transportation, replacing your gas or diesel vehicle with an electric vehicle, replacing your furnace with an air source heat pump, naturalizing your garden to attract pollinators, taking steps to reduce your risk of flooding, or advocating for sustainable, climate friendly policies – every effort counts!
In 2019, Burlington City Council declared a climate emergency to deepen our commitment to protecting our economy, environment and community from climate change and apply a climate lens to our plans and actions.
Through our corporate and community plans, we are working towards carbon neutrality while also adapting to climate change.
Some of our actions include:
- Planning for City buildings and vehicles to be low or zero carbon,
- Increasing renewable energy on municipal property,
- Supporting active and sustainable transportation,
- Growing our tree canopy,
- Protecting our greenspace, and
- Reducing our flood risk.
Check out our video and stay tuned for future Take Action Burlington posts and videos on how we can all take action to reduce our climate impact and prepare for our warmer, wetter and wilder weather.
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Webinar: Learn About Home Energy Retrofits
Share Webinar: Learn About Home Energy Retrofits on Facebook Share Webinar: Learn About Home Energy Retrofits on Twitter Share Webinar: Learn About Home Energy Retrofits on Linkedin Email Webinar: Learn About Home Energy Retrofits linkThe City of Burlington’s Better Homes Burlington team hosted a series of free, one-hour information sessions to walk homeowners through the process of switching to an air-source heat pump, and applying for available financial incentive programs. This recording is from the October 23rd session co-presented by staff from The Atmospheric Fund.
For more information
- Visit the burlington.ca/betterhomes webpage
- Email betterhomes@burlington.ca or
- Call 905-335-7600 ext. 7974
Better Homes Burlington is an action under the City’s community Climate Action Plan, approved by Council in 2020 following their climate emergency declaration. Burning fossil fuels to heat our homes contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. By transitioning away from the use of fossil fuels, we can reduce our collective carbon footprint.
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Launching Better Homes Burlington
Share Launching Better Homes Burlington on Facebook Share Launching Better Homes Burlington on Twitter Share Launching Better Homes Burlington on Linkedin Email Launching Better Homes Burlington linkHave you heard? The City of Burlington is launching Better Homes Burlington, a pilot program to help homeowners with the installation of an air source heat pump. The City is offering zero percent loans up to $10,000 for up to 20 homeowners.
Why consider an air source heat pump? Heat pumps….
- Provide both heating and cooling
- Are more efficient at cooling than air conditioners
- Will reduce your carbon footprint
The Better Homes Burlington program coordinator can help you determine if you meet the eligibility requirements for the loan. And, if you’re considering a deeper energy efficiency retrofit of your home, the coordinator can also assist with information on existing incentive programs, financing options and the benefits of a Home EnerGuide Assessment.
More information can be found at burlington.ca/betterhomes
The application process will open in September. Applications will be accepted until the end of January 2024 or when the program is fully subscribed, whichever comes first.
For more information
- Visit the burlington.ca/betterhomes webpage
- Email betterhomes@burlington.ca or
- Call 905-335-7600 ext. 7974
Better Homes Burlington is an action under the City’s community Climate Action Plan, approved by Council in 2020 following their climate emergency declaration. Burning fossil fuels to heat our homes contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. By transitioning away from the use of fossil fuels, we can reduce our collective carbon footprint.
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Climate Action Plan progress report
Share Climate Action Plan progress report on Facebook Share Climate Action Plan progress report on Twitter Share Climate Action Plan progress report on Linkedin Email Climate Action Plan progress report linkAn update report on the Climate Action Plan is going to the Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Committee on September 15, 2022.
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the progress of the implementation of the Climate Action Plan, providing a pathway to reduce community based greenhouse gas emissions to meet the target for Burlington to be net carbon neutral by 2050.
The related climate adaptation plan, Climate Resilient Burlington: A Plan for Adapting to Our Warmer, Wetter and Wilder Weather, was approved by Council in July (EICS-12- 22). Prior to this, staff presented the draft Climate Resilient Burlington plan in May (EICS-02-22), which was made available on getinvolvedburlington.ca/crb for public review and feedback. Burlington’s climate projections report was presented in March 2021 (EICS-03-21).
An update on the City’s Corporate Energy and Emissions Management Plan (EICS-06- 22) was presented in June, highlighting the progress to date on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from City operations (buildings and fleet) showing community leadership. The City has a target for its operations to be net carbon neutral by 2040.
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Renewable Energy Research Project
Share Renewable Energy Research Project on Facebook Share Renewable Energy Research Project on Twitter Share Renewable Energy Research Project on Linkedin Email Renewable Energy Research Project linkOne of the key program areas identified in the Climate Action Plan relates to increasing the use of renewable energy in our community. The City has partnered with the Engineering and Public Policy, W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology program at McMaster University to research best practices and opportunities to support the adoption of renewable energy in Burlington. As part of this research, we have a survey to determine the attitudes and experiences of Burlington residents in installing or are contemplating installing renewable energy options. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes.
For full details of the study, please read the Letter of Information provided by McMaster University.
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Final report on the Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project
Share Final report on the Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project on Facebook Share Final report on the Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project on Twitter Share Final report on the Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project on Linkedin Email Final report on the Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project linkFinal report presented to the Environment, Infrastructure & Community Services Committee on March 3rd
Staff from the City and the Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College co-presented the final report on the Better Homes Burlington Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project to the Environment, Infrastructure & Community Services Committee on March 3rd. Council approved staff to proceed to the next steps to develop a business case for the 2023 budget process for the resources required to support home energy efficiency loans for homeowners. The program will make available loans of up to $10,000 to cover the costs of the installation of air source heat pumps and leak sealing. The program also entails a virtual delivery centre to provide guidance to homeowners on the available measures and incentive programs to help them improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their carbon footprint.
A follow up report will be presented to council in 2023 pending budget approval for the program to outline the details of the program requirements.
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Final report on the Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project
Share Final report on the Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project on Facebook Share Final report on the Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project on Twitter Share Final report on the Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project on Linkedin Email Final report on the Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project linkFinal report going to the Environment, Infrastructure & Community Services Committee on March 3rd.
Staff will present the final report on the Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project to the Environment, Infrastructure & Community Services Committee on March 3rd. The city has been working in partnership with the Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College on this project to assess the feasibility of developing a program to help Burlington homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their dwellings and reduce their carbon footprint. This has been identified as a priority program area under the Climate Action Plan.
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City of Burlington awarded high marks for carbon disclosure and climate change efforts
Share City of Burlington awarded high marks for carbon disclosure and climate change efforts on Facebook Share City of Burlington awarded high marks for carbon disclosure and climate change efforts on Twitter Share City of Burlington awarded high marks for carbon disclosure and climate change efforts on Linkedin Email City of Burlington awarded high marks for carbon disclosure and climate change efforts linkThe City of Burlington is pleased to announce it has received a B grade for climate action efforts from the Climate Disclosure Project (CDP). This is the first time the City has received a grade. CDP is a non-profit charity and provides a global disclosure climate action reporting platform for businesses and all levels of government.
The City reported its progress on the implementation of the community-based Climate Action Plan, the community emissions inventory and carbon reduction target. CDP awarded the City a B for its reporting, recognizing its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change.
Reporting through the CDP platform helps the City to meet its reporting requirements for the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM), the largest global alliance for city climate leadership across the globe. The City joined GCoM in 2020 and was one of 25 Canadian municipalities to participate in Showcase Cities, a program hosted by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Partners for Climate Protection program and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. The program was designed to support municipalities in their actions to meet the requirements of GCoM.
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Home Energy Retrofit Orientation Program Webinar - Nov 21
Share Home Energy Retrofit Orientation Program Webinar - Nov 21 on Facebook Share Home Energy Retrofit Orientation Program Webinar - Nov 21 on Twitter Share Home Energy Retrofit Orientation Program Webinar - Nov 21 on Linkedin Email Home Energy Retrofit Orientation Program Webinar - Nov 21 linkDid you know that 98 percent of homes built before 2017 need to be retrofitted by 2050 for the cities of Burlington and Hamilton to reach their carbon reduction goals? If you are a Burlington or Hamilton homeowner interested in learning more about energy efficiencies for your single-family home (detached, semi-detached or townhouse), register for an upcoming free Home Energy Retrofit Orientation (HERO) Program webinar to ensure you include energy efficiency as part of the renovation.
What to Expect:
- Module 1: Getting Started
- Typical homes, energy audits, retrofit roadmaps
- House as a system and air sealing upgrades
- Module 2: Improve Your Envelope
- Module 3: Optimize Your Mechanicals
- Air conditioning and heating upgrades
- Module 4: Keep it Flowing
- Hot water upgrades, reasons to renovate, next steps
Registration Details:
- Nov. 21, 2020
- 10 a.m. – noon, or
- 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- events.eply.com/HEROProgramWebinar
Avoid disappointment and register now. There are only 50 spots available in each webinar session.
This webinar is brought to you by Humber College and Enbridge Inc., supported by the City of Burlington, City of Hamilton and the Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College.
The webinar will be facilitated by Kirk Johnson and Jack Zhou. Kirk is a Sustainability Director with 17 years of experience developing sustainability programs across Canada to address capacity building, energy efficiency, and experiential learning opportunities in the built environment. Jack is a Managing Principal at A&J Energy Consultants and a well-recognized Certified Energy Advisor (CEA) for homes in Ontario, with over 10 years of experience in the industry.
For more information, please contact Adrienne Madden, Industry Partnerships Lead, Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College at adrienne.madden@mohawkcollege.ca or follow @CCCMatMohawk on Twitter.
Take Action Burlington! Get motivated and empowered to take action on climate change by improving the energy efficiency of your home. Collectively we can make a difference.
- Module 1: Getting Started
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Who's listening
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Phone 905-335-7600 ext 7931 Email environment@burlington.ca
Level of Engagement
- Inform
- Consult & Involve
Key Dates
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April 2020 – Council Meeting
Climate Action Plan has finished this stageCouncil approves the Climate Action Plan and establishes a target for the community to become net carbon neutral by 2050.
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March 2022 – Council Meeting
Climate Action Plan has finished this stageHome Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program feasibility report presented to council. Implementation report planned for early 2023.
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May 2022 – Survey
Climate Action Plan has finished this stageA community survey is posted to hear from residents about their experiences and/or knowledge related to renewable energy.
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September 15 2022 – Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Committee
Climate Action Plan has finished this stageAnnual report on the implementation of the Climate Action Plan will be presented.
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September 14, 2024
Climate Action Plan is currently at this stageThe City of Burlington will be hosting Food for Feedback, a community engagement BBQ. Join us on Saturday September 14 from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Central Park, 2299 New St. Vegetarian and Halal options are available.
Note: in case of inclement weather, the event will be held indoors at the Burlington Seniors' Centre.
Attendees will receive a free lunch from a food truck, in exchange for providing feedback to the City on projects and initiatives, including the Climate Action Plan.
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On-going
this is an upcoming stage for Climate Action PlanOn-going implementation of the Climate Action Plan.
Document Library
- July 2020 - Options for a Residential Deep Energy Retrofit Program (168 KB) (pdf)
- City of Burlington - Climate Action Plan (5.53 MB) (pdf)
- April 2020 - Memo for Climate Action Plan (220 KB) (pdf)
- Staff Memo to the Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Committee (65.7 KB) (pdf)
- Public Feedback on Development of Climate Action Plan (274 KB) (pdf)
- March 3 2022 Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project Report
- Burlington Project - Letter of Information Updated.pdf (48.5 KB) (pdf)
- September 15 2022 Climate Action Plan Update Report