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Air Quality |
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Local Air Quality Study Results
 In July 2005, the Toronto Board of Health requested that the City examine the air quality impact of emissions from all sources of air pollution in the South Riverdale-Leslieville-Beaches (SLRB) area of Toronto (i.e. Ward 30 and Ward 32). Thirty key air pollutants were included in the scope of the study, which identified emissions from various sources including industrial, commercial, residential, agricultural, natural, and transportation-related emissions.
The study concludes that the concentrations of most substances in the SRLB area meet provincial air quality standards and that overall, a focus on transportation-related emissions will be key to reducing pollution in the area.
Read the Local Air Quality Study Report.
Vehicle Idling
 Contaminants from vehicle exhaust are major contributors to deteriorating air quality in Toronto.
The City of Toronto's Idling Control Bylaw is intended to discourage the unnecessary idling of cars, trucks and buses in the city in order to help combat air pollution. The bylaw limits idling to no more than three minutes in a 60-minute period (with exceptions during extremely hot or cold weather).
The City is working in collaboration with the Toronto Police Service to enforce the bylaw, though the emphasis is on public awareness and general support for voluntary compliance. The City (with help from the media) continues to provide general education about the effects of unnecessary vehicle idling.
Remember to turn off your engine if you are stopping for more than 10 seconds, except in traffic. Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting your engine. Help make Toronto idle-free!
Clean Roads to Clean Air Program
Road dust is a major source of fine particulate matter in the air. The City of Toronto intends to replace worn-out street sweepers with more advanced street sweepers capable of removing and containing more than 90 per cent of the fine road dust from road surfaces.
In addition to benefiting air quality in the vicinity of city streets, the new equipment will reduce the amount of fine road dust washed down catch-basins into the sewer system.
More information about the Clean Roads to Clean Air Program is available from Transportation Services at 416-392-8345.
Smog Summit
 This annual event brings together government leaders, communities and individuals to identify and implement plans to reduce smog in the Greater Toronto Area. The Smog Summit also raises awareness of air quality issues in the general public through community events such as the Fresh Air Fair.
The Smog Summit is an initiative of the Greater Toronto Area Clean Air Council and is coordinated through the Clean Air Partnership.
Residential Wood Burning
Emissions from burning wood in the home can affect the air quality both indoor and outdoor. There are ways for residents and governments to substantially reduce emissions from residential wood burning.
Toronto Public Health provides tips on wood burning in your home.
Read the report Air Pollution from Wood-burning Fireplaces and Stoves for more details and key findings.
Indoor Air Quality and Your Health
Air pollution isn't only an outdoor problem. Research has shown that the air indoors can also be polluted and has been linked with a wide array of health problems. You could be breathing in the polluted air without even knowing it. Creating a healthy indoor environment is important, especially for children who are at a higher risk for exposure to indoor contaminants.
Toronto Public Health provides information on indoor air quality.
Cut it Out Toronto!
“Cut it Out Toronto!” invites Toronto residents to take action to help clean our air by recycling your old two-stroke gas-powered lawn care equipment. Items may be dropped off, free of charge, for responsible recycling and dismantling at selected Canadian Tire stores. In 2011, the events took place on June 4 and 5 and participants received up to $100 off Yardworks products.
Two-stroke engines found in older lawn and garden equipment, such as leaf blowers, lawnmowers and trimmers, emit a high level of pollutants into the air. According to Environment Canada, running an older, gas-powered lawnmower made in 2000 for one hour creates the same amount of pollution as driving a new car from Toronto to Ottawa.
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Climate Change |
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Live Green Toronto
Live Green Toronto Toronto is taking action on climate change to a whole new level with Live Green Toronto, a five-year, $20-million dollar program to promote and support actions by residents and community groups to reduce emissions, clean our air and protect our climate.
Live Green Toronto delivers:
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A one-stop website www.livegreentoronto.ca with easy access to rebates, resources, tools and information about programs and supports at the municipal, provincial and federal levels.
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Grants to help neighbourhood and community groups initiate projects such as tree planting, energy efficiency, renewable energy production, local food production, green roofs, and water conservation.
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Neighbourhood guidance counselors who will provide on-the-ground advice and support to community groups to turn ideas into action.
Live Green Toronto is a component of the Toronto's Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan. The action plan, which targets an 80 per cent reduction in the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change by 2050, was unanimously endorsed by City Council in July 2007. Live Green Toronto was launched at the Live Green Toronto Festival in May 2008.
More information about Live Green Toronto is available at www.livegreentoronto.ca
Greenhouse Gas and Air Emissions Inventory
Toronto's first ever combined greenhouse gas and air quality emissions inventory was completed in 2007.
The inventory contains information about energy consumed and pollutants emitted by City government operations and the broader community. With this tool, Toronto will be able to track its progress toward meeting goals for air quality improvement and highlight opportunities for further emission reductions.
Toronto's reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions, from the 1990 levels of approximately 22 million tonnes per year city-wide, are:
- 6 percent by 2012 (1,320,000 tonnes per year)
- 30 percent by 2020 (6,600,000 tonnes per year)
- 80 percent by 2050 (17,600,000 tonnes per year)
For more details, contact the Toronto Environment Office at 416-392-6903 or the Toronto Atmospheric Fund at 416-392-1217.
Great Lakes Climate Change Policy Coordination
In partnership with the International Council of Local Governments for Sustainability, the City of Toronto is collaborating with 10 cities in the Great Lakes region to develop an international, city-level policy on climate change.
The Working Group members are focusing on energy and water issues and the issue of pollutants that play a role in climate warming.
For further information contact the Toronto Environment Office.
Landfill Gas Project
The City of Toronto collects and burns landfill gases that are emitted at its three largest landfill sites: Keele Valley, Brock West and Beare. None of those sites is still operational for dumping.
Environmentally-harmful methane (a greenhouse gas) would, if not burned, account for about half of the gases produced and emitted by landfill. Other trace gases that are also harmful are also destroyed through collection and incineration. Fans pull the gases through pipe systems in the landfill, providing a constant flow of methane-rich gas that fuels an electrical power plant. The electricity produced at the three sites contributes to the region's energy supply and creates revenue for the City of Toronto.
From an environmental perspective, the process of collecting and incinerating landfill gases is crucial to the goal of combating the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Further information about the City's management of landfill gases is available from Solid Waste Management.
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Plans and Policies |
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Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan
 The City's Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan: Phase 1 outlines the City's response to the challenge of climate change and poor air quality.
In addition to actions to green the City's internal operations, the plan delivers a number of initiatives that will benefit residents, businesses and community groups.
The plan, which was crafted with substantial public and stakeholder input, is designed to not only achieve the Kyoto greenhouse gas reduction target but substantially exceed it.
Learn more about Toronto's Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan.
Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan
 Reduce energy use. Reduce smog.
The City of Toronto Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan directs City divisions, agencies, boards and commissions to develop plans that reduce or suspend activities which contribute to poor air quality on smog alert days.
Resources are available to help protect your health on smog days.
For more information, visit the Smog website or call Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600.
Emissions Trading - Carbon Offsets Policy
The City of Toronto generates carbon offset credits through a variety of measures such as energy efficiency retrofits of City-owned buildings, collecting methane gas at City landfills and major tree planting projects. Toronto will consider selling its carbon credits only on the condition that the credits be retired immediately and not re-sold to potential polluters.
Learn more about the City's Emissions Trading and Carbon Offset Credits or view the Public Notice: City of Toronto List of Carbon Offset Credits (PDF). For more information, contact the Toronto Environment Office or read the reports related to emissions trading.
You'll need the free Adobe
Acrobat reader to view PDF files. 
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Tools and Resources |
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Zerofootprint Toronto
 The City of Toronto has partnered with Zerofootprint, a Toronto-based, not-for-profit firm that has developed an online carbon calculator.
Zerofootprint Toronto is an innovative website that lets you measure your carbon footprint, see the impact of your lifestyle choices, and get information and tips to help you reduce it.
Visit Zerofootprint Toronto and make a positive difference to our climate!
Air Quality Health Index
The Air Quality Health Index is a national health-based index to help individuals protect their health, and the health of people in their care.
The Air Quality Health Index measures air quality in relation to your health on a coloured scale from 1 to 10. The higher the reading, the greater the health risk and hence the greater the need to take precautions. On rare occasions, the Air Quality Health Index may be 10+, which means a very high health risk.
Learn more about the Air Quality Health Index.
20/20 The Way to Clean Air
 20/20 The Way to Clean Air provides resources to residents in the Greater Toronto Area to help them reduce home energy use and vehicle use by 20 per cent.
The FREE 20/20 Planner is a practical step-by-step energy reducing guide and will help you save money and energy.
20/20 is a campaign of health units in Toronto and the regions of York, Durham, Peel and Halton.
For more information, and to order your free 20/20 Planner call
416-392-2020.
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As a non-profit municipal agency, the Toronto Atmospheric Fund provides grants and loans in support of Toronto-based initiatives that combat global climate change and improve air quality.