Burlington continues to fight climate change at local level
Published July 13, 2022 at 3:09 pm
Although it’s a global issue, the City of Burlington continues to do its best to fight climate change at a local level.
To that end, Burlington City Council approved Climate Resilient Burlington: A Plan for Adapting to Our Warmer, Wetter and Wilder Weather at the July 12 meeting.
The purpose of the Climate Resilient Burlington (CRB) plan is to identify actions to manage the highest risks of warmer, wetter and wilder weather. While the CRB plan considers Burlington’s climate projections to the years 2051-2080 under a high emissions scenario, the plan outlines 32 actions under five themes focusing on building resilience and preparing for a changing climate over the next 10 years.
Although this is Burlington’s first climate adaptation plan, work is not starting from scratch, but rather building on initiatives already underway.
“This plan is a grassroots level plan with input from the public, staff and many community partners and stakeholders and encompasses real actionable items that will direct staff’s work and encourage residents to take action to prepare for the impacts of climate change,” said Allan Magi, executive director of Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services
“CRB builds on the many projects we have to reduce the increasing risk of a changing climate. Notwithstanding our best efforts to reduce our GHG emissions in the future, climate change is here and this plan lays out a plan for the city and residents to prepare.”
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The CRB was developed with City staff and community stakeholders representing 12 city departments and 17 community organizations. The community was also engaged throughout the process through a number of measures including a dedicated project page, a public project launch and surveys.
The five themes of CRB are:
- Resilient Built and Natural Infrastructure
- Thriving Natural Environment
- Extreme Heat and Health
- Disaster Resilience
- Strong and Resilient Economy
There are several climate actions already underway through various City departments and projects. Each item has a direct link to reducing risk, reducing emissions or preparing for climate change effects.
- Alert Burlington – Community Notification System
- Cooling and Warming Centres in partnership with Burlington Public Library
- Home Flood Protection Assessment Program
- Plumbing Permit Fee Grant Program
- Stormwater infrastructure improvements such as larger creek culverts and creek channel improvements
- Burlington Stormwater Management Design Guidelines
- Urban Forest Master Plan
- Municipal Natural Assets Initiative – Grindstone Creek Watershed Project
- Spencer Smith Park and Beachway stabilization and wave breaks
- Asset Management Plan
- Climate Action Plan (focusing on reducing community emissions)
- Corporate Energy and Emissions Management Plan
- City View Park pavilion and solar installation
- Anti-idling campaign and bylaw
- Expansion of the City’s electric vehicle charging stations
- Electric Mobility Strategy
- Corporate Green Fleet Strategy
- Integrated Mobility Plan (focusing on active and public transportation)
- Rural Active Transportation Strategy
- Cycling Plan, a component of the Integrated Mobility Plan, which includes projects such as the Plains Road bikeway improvements
- Major Transit Station Areas (MTSA)