Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park) proclaims April as Earth Month in Toronto, a month to raise awareness of the vital role that every Torontonian plays in caring for the planet.
The City of Toronto is committed to working with businesses, governments and institutions to take real and measurable action against the climate crisis and working quickly to create a greener, more resilient and sustainable future.
In 2021, Toronto City Council adopted the accelerated TransformTO Net Zero Climate Strategy, an ambitious plan to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Toronto to net zero by 2040. This is one of the most ambitious net zero targets in North America.
To reach this target, the City has led many initiatives to deliver dozens of programs that enhance water and air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve biodiversity, reduce waste and protect vibrant green spaces across Toronto.
In April we celebrate one of my favourite months: Earth Month!
I am proud of the @CityofToronto’s action plan to get us to net zero and am looking forward to participating in events throughout the month to highlight those climate action initiatives alongside Torontonians. pic.twitter.com/7Ydg6KAHYO
— Jennifer McKelvie (@McKelvieTO) April 1, 2023
Some of the key programs and initiatives include:
• Providing low-interest loans to homeowners to help make homes more energy efficient through the Home Energy Loan Program (www.toronto.ca/services-payme
• Rapidly expanding and improving the City’s cycling network through the Cycling Network Plan (www.toronto.ca/cyclingnetwork
• Helping achieve an interim 2030 target to have 30 per cent of registered vehicles in Toronto be electric by implementing the Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy. To help meet EV charging needs, Toronto Parking Authority is adding 650 EV chargers in off-street (garages and lots) and on-street Green P locations by the end of 2024. More information is available on the City’s Electric Vehicles webpage: www.toronto.ca/ev.
• Protecting the environment and water quality in Lake Ontario, rivers, streams and other water bodies from stormwater through the Wet Weather Flow Master Plan (WWFMP) (www.toronto.ca/services-payme
• Promoting and enabling waste reduction through continued implementation of the Long Term Waste Management Strategy (www.toronto.ca/services-payme
• Helping address heat relief and climate resiliency through updates to the City’s Heat Relief Strategy (www.toronto.ca/community-peop
• Protecting ravines by maintaining and improving their ecological health through continued implementation of the City’s Ravine Strategy (www.toronto.ca/ravinestrategy
• Providing mentorship, training and networking opportunities to help emerging women leaders advance their climate-related projects and business start-ups through the Women4ClimateTO Mentorship Program (www.toronto.ca/Women4Climate)
• Providing training and supports to help residents catalyze climate action in their communities through the Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions program (www.toronto.ca/services-payme
• Planting and maintaining trees on City land to increase the City’s tree canopy to 40 per cent by 2050. More information, including volunteer opportunities, can be found on the City’s Tree Planting & Stewardship Events webpage: www.toronto.ca/community-peopl
More information on the City’s climate and environment initiatives, including available grants and incentives and tangible ways residents can be actively involved in local climate action initiatives, can be found at www.toronto.ca/livegreen.
Quotes:
“I’m proud to proclaim April as Earth Month in Toronto. I am also proud of the City of Toronto’s ambitious action plan to get us to net zero and fight climate change. I encourage residents to learn more about the City’s different climate and environment initiatives and how they can get involved. Urgent action is needed to address the climate emergency and everyone has a role to play.”
– Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
SOURCE City of Toronto
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