March 8, 2000
To: Chair and Members of the East York Community Council
From: City Clerk
Subject: Environmental Task Force - Environmental Plan, "Clean, Green and Healthy - A Plan for an Environmentally
Sustainable Toronto".
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Environmental Plan "Clean, Green and Healthy - A Plan for an Environmentally
Sustainable Toronto" be received for information.
Background:
The Environmental Task Force at its final meeting on February 21, 2000 considered the Environmental Plan, "Clean,
Green and Healthy: A Plan for an Environmentally Sustainable Toronto (the Environmental Plan)" which is the result of
24 months of work by the Environmental Task Force and many other people. About 1,300 people from all sectors of the
community participated in the various ways in developing the Plan. The Environmental Plan contains a Sustainability Goal,
a Vision for an environmentally sustainable future, a set of Environmental Principles to guide decision-making, and a
series of recommendations aimed at improving the health of the natural environment. The Environmental Plan also
contains a list of interim indicators for monitoring environmental performance, and recommendations on governance
structures and processes that will help build environmental considerations into decision-making processes.
(The recommendations from the Environmental Plan are attached. The Environmental Plan is presently being printed and
will be forwarded to you separately prior to the Community Council meeting.)
As part of the process to produce the Environmental Plan, the Environmental Task Force held the following two
consultation processes:
(a) Community Consultation - January 31, 2000
The Environmental Task Force held a community consultation on January 31, 2000, which was a forum for members of the
public to provide feedback on the Environmental Plan. Over 150 people attended. Discussion groups were held in the areas
of Green Economy, Sustainable Energy, Transportation and Education and Awareness. Feedback forms were provided to
the participants and their comments and suggestions were taken into consideration in preparing the final Environmental
Plan.
(b) Toronto Environmental Leaders Forum - January 26, 2000
The Toronto Environmental Alliance held a forum, which brought together over sixty representatives of Toronto's
environmental community. The purpose of the forum was to allow the participants to review and assess the Environmental
Plan. Their written comments were also taken into consideration in preparing the final Environmental Plan.
The Toronto Inter-Departmental Environmental Team (TIE) has also reviewed the Environmental Plan and a report from
the CAO's office will be submitted to the Policy and Finance Committee on March 28, 2000.
Work is presently underway by a Target Workgroup, made up of Environmental Task Force members, which will set
targets regarding the implementation of the recommendations.
On March 28th, the Policy and Finance Committee will consider the Environmental Plan along with the CAO's report on
the Plan. City Council will consider the Environmental Plan on April 11, 12 and 13, 2000.
The CAO and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer have also been asked to report to the Budget Advisory Committee
in April on Environmental Task Force recommendations to establish an Investment/Reserve Fund to be used to begin
implementing Environmental Plan recommendations in the year 2000 and setting aside $1.882 million in this fund to be
accessed by Departments on the condition that the Environmental Plan is adopted by City Council and after detailed
costing and implementation plans have been completed and submitted to the appropriate Committees and Council by June
2000.
City Clerk
Item No. 1.1
Attachment
CONSOLIDATED RECOMMENDATIONS1. Adopt the principle of pollution prevention planning
Recommended that the City adopt the principle of pollution prevention planning so that actions taken by the City of
Toronto are based on preventing, or at least minimizing to the greatest extent possible, the release of pollutants into the
environment.
2. Develop a Community Right to Know Bylaw
Recommended that the City develop a Community Right to Know Bylaw that empowers community members to know the
location, sources and health effects of toxics in their community. A report on the proposed Bylaw shall be submitted to
Council and the Sustainability Roundtable by the end of 2000. The Bylaw should:
a) include the collection and dissemination of information concerning historic land use, emissions of toxic pollutants, and
the use, manufacture, disposal, and storage of toxic materials and waste;
b) include inventory lists and maps of locations; and
c) be developed in consultation with appropriate city departments, relevant community groups such as the Canadian
University Research Alliance and environmental groups.
LAND
3. Increase Parks and Natural Areas
Recommended that the City report to Council and the Sustainability Roundtable before the end of 2000 on a Land
Acquisition Strategy for parks and natural areas that will:
a) protect and conserve the City's greenspaces;
b) address innovative ways to accommodate the needs of a growing population and increased density;
c) address potential mechanisms to fund acquisition;
d) increase the interconnectedness of the City's greenspaces; and
e) complement The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's acquisition programs.
4. Develop a Natural Heritage Strategy
Recommended that the City report to Council and the Sustainability Roundtable before the end of 2000 on the
development of a Natural Heritage Strategy. This Strategy should:
a) protect existing natural heritage features and functions;
b) identify opportunities to create or enhance linkages between greenspaces and greenway corridors;
c) identify opportunities and priorities for environmental restoration and stewardship initiatives;
d) address ecological health, recreation and tourism opportunities; and
e) identify opportunities for partnerships with landowners, school boards and community groups.
5. Plant More Trees
Recommended that the City support the efforts of the Council's Tree Advocate to:
a) improve the health of the City's Urban Forest; and
b) implement an annual program of tree planting.
6. Protect Landforms
Recommended that the City develop policies, by-laws and other mechanisms to protect significant landforms including
ravines, river valleys, the Lake Iroquois shoreline, the Lake Ontario shoreline including beaches and bluffs, and drumlins.
7. Eliminate the Use of Pesticides
Recommended that the City adopt a goal of elimination of pesticides, where possible. It should:
a) support the work being done by the Toronto Inter-Departmental Environmental Team to reduce and eliminate pesticide
use throughout the City of Toronto;
b) request all City Agencies, Boards and Commissions to develop plans, if such plans have not yet been developed, to ban
pesticide use except in emergency or exceptional situations, on all City lands by December 31, 2000; and
c) develop a strategy to eliminate pesticide use on private lands.
8. Encourage Green Roofs
Recommended that the City report to Council and the Sustainability Roundtable before the end of 2000 on a strategy to
encourage green roofs and rooftop gardens. The strategy should:
a) address the potential for retrofitting green roofs and rooftop gardens on City-owned buildings;
b) address how green roofs and rooftop gardens can be implemented in new developments; and
c) address the environmental benefits that can be derived from green roofs and rooftop gardens (e.g., CO2 reduction,
stormwater retention, microclimate improvements, etc.).
9. Increase the Diversion of Solid Waste
Recommended that the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services report to Council and the Sustainability
Roundtable on a strategy to divert 100% of the City's solid waste resources by 2020, with an interim target of 75% by 2010.
10. Explore the Feasibility of Curbside Collection of and Producer Responsibility for Household Hazardous Waste
Recommended that the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services report to Council and the Sustainability
Roundtable before the end of 2000 on the feasibility of establishing:
a) a curbside household hazardous waste program, beginning with a review of best practices and a pilot project; and
b) producer responsibility initiatives such as depots for used batteries at retail outlets.
11. Clean Up Contaminated Lands
Recommended that the City, with the Sustainability Roundtable, develop a strategy to clean up city and privately-owned
contaminated lands. The strategy should include:
a) a comprehensive land use inventory and groundwater information system to facilitate the identification of potentially
contaminated sites and integrate soil and groundwater information;
b) a protocol that ensures that human health and the natural environment is adequately protected on all developments on
potentially contaminated land;
c) strategies for cleaning up land that is not slated for development; and
d) incentives for re-investment in contaminated lands.
WATER
12. Restore the Health of Rivers, Streams and the Waterfront
Recommended that the City prepare a report, with recommendations for action, for Council and the Sustainability
Roundtable before the end of 2000 on new initiatives and on the work being done by City Departments, The Toronto and
Region Conservation Authority, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, federal and provincial agencies, community partners
and community-based watershed groups to:
a) restore water quality along the waterfront and in streams and rivers;
b) revegetate and naturalize stream and river banks and the waterfront;
c) reclaim the City's buried creeks and streams;
d) carry out aquatic habitat restoration projects; and
e) effectively monitor environmental conditions within the waterfront and watersheds.
13. Eliminate Combined Sewer Overflows and Improve Stormwater Management
Recommended that the City eliminate combined sewer overflows and improve stormwater management. The City should:
a) view rainwater as a resource;
b) place priority on source reduction rather than conveyance or end-of-pipe controls;
c) manage wet weather flows on a watershed basis;
d) encourage innovative, natural and non-structural methods of reducing and managing stormwater;
e) develop strategies to "unpave" Toronto by reducing the amount of impermeable land; and
f) complete the Wet Weather Flow Master Plan by January 2002 and implement it as quickly as possible.
14. Prevent the Discharge of Pollutants into Sewers
Recommended that the City prevent the discharge of pollutants into sanitary sewers. It should:
a) by June 2000 adopt a Sewer Use By-Law that prevents pollution and improves the quality of biosolids produced in
wastewater treatment;
b) include in the Sewer Use By-law a provision to develop Environmental Emergency Plans to prevent and recover from
Environmental Emergencies;
c) after completion of the Sewer Use By-Law, encourage other upstream municipalities to adopt similar by-laws to protect
watercourses and aquatic communities;
d) develop its own internal standards for wastewater treatment plants that exceed the requirements of Certificates of
Approval;
e) address options to contain and treat runoff from snow piles; and
f) explore options for treating leachate from landfill sites that avoid treatment at a wastewater treatment plant.
15. Reduce Water Use
Recommended that the City prepare a report for Council and the Sustainability Roundtable before the end of 2000 on water
efficiency and conservation. The report should:
a) address the implementation of the strategies being developed in the Water Efficiency Plan;
b) include innovative strategies to reduce water use such as the re-use of grey water; and
c) set aggressive short and long-term targets for reduction of water use in all sectors.
16. Improve the Environmental Performance of Sanitary Sewers
Recommended that the City prepare a report for Council and the Sustainability Roundtable before the end of 2000 on
innovative methods of improving the environmental performance of sanitary sewers to reduce leakage and infiltration.
17. Expand the Use of Alternatives to Chlorine for Wastewater Treatment
Recommended that the City support the use of alternatives to chlorine for the disinfection of wastewater at the Ashbridges
Bay Treatment Plant including not chlorinating in the winter, and implementing the use of alternatives at the City's other
wastewater treatment facilities.
18. Monitor Drinking Water Guidelines
Recommended that the City should monitor research on drinking water quality and health. It should:
a) participate in Federal and Provincial processes that set guidelines or objectives for drinking water with the aim of
developing more stringent guidelines;
b) on an ongoing basis, review the use of chemicals used in the water treatment and distribution system with the aim of
reducing chemical use where possible;
c) continue to explore ways of reducing compounds that cause taste and odour problems; and
d) communicate its results to the public.
19. Explore the Use of Financial Incentives to Reduce Pollution
Recommended that the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services report to Council and the Sustainability
Roundtable before the end of 2000 on the use of financial incentives such as polluter pay, user pay and graduated pricing
schemes to reduce water pollution.
AIR
20. Recognize the Right of Torontonians to Clean Air
Recommended that the City recognize the right of Torontonians to clean air, and recognize its necessity for the health and
well-being of vulnerable populations and current and future generations. The City should adopt the following goals:
a) to work to make Toronto's air clean and free of harmful levels of pollutants;
b) to maintain and expand the City's leadership role in air quality;
c) to continue its commitments to address global warming and depletion of the ozone layer; and
d) to consider air quality impacts as a major criterion in transportation and land use planning.
21. Develop a Comprehensive Air Quality Strategy
Recommended that the City build on, integrate and coordinate its efforts to improve air quality through the development of
a comprehensive Air Quality Strategy for the City of Toronto. The Strategy should:
a) assess the progress of and integrate current air quality initiatives;
b) set priorities for City action;
c) set targets where they do not now exist;
d) consider air emissions and their impacts;
e) identify areas where the City can be involved (such as promoting the City's own corporate smog reduction program
within the Toronto business community, zero-emission City fleets, and promoting employer trip reduction programs) and
how it can best apply its resources to maximum effect; and
f) facilitate monitoring and reporting to the public.
22. Reduce Air Emissions
Recommended that the City work to reduce air emissions. It should:
a) assess the need to improve City, provincial and federal emission inventories;
b) ask the Province to review Certificates of Approval for point sources in the City, to ensure compliance and up-to-date
records for emission inventories;
c) explore the feasibility of introducing a by-law to restrict point source emissions; and
d) advocate for provincial, federal and U.S. government action to reduce air emissions.
23. Monitor Ambient Air Quality and Standard-Setting
Recommended that the City develop a role in air quality monitoring and standard-setting. It should:
a) participate with the provincial and federal governments in the delivery of an effective monitoring and reporting system
for ambient air quality;
b) continue to participate in provincial and federal processes that set air quality objectives and standards; and
c) advocate to the provincial and federal governments for effective monitoring, air quality objectives and standards,
regulations and emission caps.
24. Integrate City Efforts with Other Jurisdictions
Recommended that the City integrate its efforts on air quality with regional, provincial, federal, U.S. and internationals
bodies. It should:
a) develop air quality strategies for the GTA, Ontario, and the Quebec-Windsor corridor in partnership with the provincial
and federal governments and other municipalities;
b) make regional and international movement of air pollutants a priority of intergovernmental relations through its
membership in the Greater Toronto Services Board, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Federation of
Canadian Municipalities, the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and other organizations; and
c) encourage the provincial and federal governments to implement appropriate strategies, policies, and regulations to
ensure that municipal, provincial and federal air quality goals and international commitments are met.
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
25. Recognize the Importance of Sustainable Transportation
Recommended that the City recognize the importance of sustainable transportation in achieving a sustainable city and
adopt the following goals to establish Toronto as a leading sustainable transportation city:
a) to provide Toronto residents and visitors with the widest range of sustainable transportation options that are seamlessly
linked, safe, convenient, enjoyable, affordable, economically competitive, and which significantly reduce the
environmental, health, social and economic impacts of personal transportation;
b) to significantly reduce the congestion, pollution, danger, cost and inefficiencies related to the movement of people and
goods;
c) to replace or reduce the need for transportation of people and goods;
d) to give priority in transportation and land use decisions to sustainable transportation;
e) to address institutional biases that favour auto users; and
f) to be a leader in facilitating discussions with other governments and bodies with the aim of establishing truly
comprehensive sustainable transportation strategy.
26. Plan for and Implement Sustainable Transportation
Recommended that the City prepare a report for City Council and the Sustainability Roundtable by the end of 2000 on the
staff and resource requirements needed to develop and implement a comprehensive, integrated plan or mechanism to meet
the goals outlined above. The plan or mechanism should include:
a) an integrated framework and vision for future transportation and land use in Toronto;
b) consultation and partnership with all relevant City Departments and Agencies, other levels of government, the
transportation industry, citizens, labour, community groups and environmental groups;
c) short and long-term goals and principles for the development of sustainable transportation;
d) ambitious targets (and indicators to measure progress);
e) quick start activities, where appropriate;
f) assembly, and where appropriate, City-wide implementation of existing policies and initiatives related to sustainable
transportation as described in the Sustainable Transportation Work Group Report;
g) assembly, and where appropriate, implementation of proposed sustainable transportation policies and pilot initiatives
included in current reports (the Board of Trade Infrastructure Report, Pollution Probe Transit Action Plan, GTSB
Transportation Plan, the Coroner's Report on Cycling Deaths, and the Federal Climate Change Table Recommendations);
h) establishment and implementation of an integrated mechanism to develop new policies, practices and pilot initiatives as
described in the Sustainable Transportation Work Group Report;
i) implementation schedules;
j) resources needed, financial sources and mechanisms, and strategies for stimulating investment in the sustainable
transportation sector;
k) staffing requirements and mechanisms to coordinate the City's sustainable transportation efforts;
l) mechanisms for establishing new and building on existing partnerships and public participation;
m) a communications and outreach plan;
n) recommendations to key agencies, other levels of government, businesses, institutions and community agencies;
o) detailed evaluation and monitoring mechanisms; and
p) the formation of a Sustainable Transportation Working Group, that includes City Councillors, to assist in the
development of the plan.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY USE
27. Adopt a Goal of Sustainable Energy
Recommended that the City adopt, as a long-range goal, the development of a Sustainable Energy Infrastructure for
Toronto that supports the efficient production, transmission and use of energy from renewable sources.
28. Coordinate Toronto's Efforts on Sustainable Energy
Recommended that the City coordinate sustainable energy efforts. It should:
a) in the short term, expand the mandate of the City's Energy Efficiency Office to include all aspects of sustainable energy
production, transmission and use and authorize the Energy Efficiency Office with the mandate and role to coordinate the
Corporation's energy efficiency efforts;
b) facilitate the development of a multi-stakeholder Sustainable Energy Partnership which will:
i. prepare a Sustainable Energy Plan for Toronto;
ii. coordinate Toronto-wide activities on Sustainable Energy;
iii. encourage the formation of partnerships and joint ventures;
iv. fund feasibility studies;
v. carry out research;
vi. act as an information clearing house; and
vii. develop programs that target homeowners;
c) ensure that Toronto Hydro, the Toronto District Heating Corporation, and other Agencies, Boards, Commissions and
Departments work together wherever appropriate to maximize energy efficiency, economies of scale and project
economics;
d) establish an Energy Policy Working Group of City councillors to discuss energy policy; and
e) continue to support the work of the City's Better Buildings Partnership in meeting its goal of retrofitting 40% of the
buildings in the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional sector by 2008.
29. Increase Energy Efficiency in City Operations and Facilities
Recommended that the City increase its corporate energy efficiency. It should:
a) request departments to prepare plans to reduce energy use in their operations and in City buildings and facilities at least
15% by 2005;
b) encourage all agencies, boards and commissions and require all departments to examine how to reduce energy use in
infrastructure projects; and
c) ensure that the City's accounting system allows energy use to be tracked.
30. Support Green Power
Recommended that the City support the use of Green Power. It should:
a) reaffirm its commitment to purchase 25% of its energy needs through Green Power and report to the Sustainability
Roundtable on how it is going to accomplish this;
b) encourage all agencies, boards and commissions to aggregate their purchasing power by participating in a municipal
green power aggregation project and committing to purchasing 25% of their energy needs through Green Power;
c) carry out an inventory of potential City locations for siting Green Power sources such as wind turbines and solar panels;
d) encourage Toronto Hydro Energy Services Company to include 1000 MW of Green Power in its Integrated Resources
Strategic Plan; and
e) encourage the Toronto Hydro Energy Services Company to form collaborative sustainable energy partnerships with
Toronto District Heating Corporation and the Better Building Partnership.
31. Encourage Improved Building Design
Recommended that the City encourage improvements in building design. It should:
a) implement a means of achieving the federal C2000 performance standard for all commercial buildings;
b) create a Buildings Design Challenge to engage the building sector in the design and construction of state of the art
buildings;
c) report on the feasibility of implementing the federal Energuide label for housing, and giving building permit priority to
buildings with Energuide labels and plans;
d) report on the feasibility of implementing a sliding scale building permit fee based on energy efficiency criteria and/or
fast-tracking proposals that meet energy efficiency targets;
e) provide training on energy efficiency design and technologies for Building Division permit and customer service staff of
Urban Planning and Development Services; and
f) request the Province to adopt a Green Building Code that encourages the use of solar heating, waste heat recovery, green
roofs, recycled grey water and rain water, recycled materials, and other technologies that reduce resource consumption and
environmental impacts and discourage the use of toxic and hazardous materials.
32. Promote the Use of District Heating and Cooling
Recommended that the City promote the use of district heating and cooling. It should:
a) develop a plan for how all agencies, boards, commissions and departments can use and/or promote the benefits and use
of district heating and cooling in new developments; and
b) develop a plan that enables all new developments in the central downtown to use district heating, district cooling,
especially Deep Lake Water Cooling.
33. Encourage Energy Efficiency in New Developments
Recommended that the City identify approaches to encourage energy efficiency in new developments including the
designation of new development areas as Model Communities to showcase sustainability, with a focus on energy efficiency
and use of renewable energy sources, and that these approaches be incorporated into the Official Plan and be reported back
to the Works Committee and the Planning and Transportation Committee by the end of 2000.
34. Develop Investment Strategies for Sustainable Energy Plan Implementation
Recommended that the City, Toronto Hydro and the Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TAF) jointly report to the Sustainability
Roundtable and the Energy Policy Working Group (see recommendation 28) by July 2000 on how best to employ financial
instruments to accelerate investment in sustainable energy. The report should consider:
a) the use of a surcharge applied to all Toronto Hydro customers to generate funds that could be used to fund sustainable
energy projects;
b) the use of varying rate structures by Toronto Hydro (including rate structures based on consumption rather than fixed
service charges);
c) the use by Toronto Hydro of net billing for customers of Green Power;
d) re-investing savings from City energy efficiency projects in the purchase and/or redevelopment of Green Power for the
City's use;
e) how the City should optimize its financial support for sustainable energy (including consideration of Toronto Hydro's
capital structure, use of City reserve funds, use of the City's purchasing power in the market place, leveraging private
capital to underwrite increased investments, and leveraging TAF's assets with private capital);
f) how the City can minimize the financing costs for sustainable energy projects (including consideration of long-term,
defined price contracts);
g) what role the City should play in promoting sustainable energy as a commercial venture; and
h) lessons learned in other jurisdictions that have created sustainable energy programs.
GREEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
35. Promote Environmentally Sustainable Development and Urban Form
Recommended that the City promote development that is environmentally sustainable. It should:
a) promote reurbanisation of the City to increase the population and employment opportunities and set aggressive targets in
the Official Plan;
b) pursue a strategy of "strategic reinvestment" that encourages compact growth and directs growth to those areas of the
City where infrastructure capacity already exists;
c) maximize the use of existing infrastructure capacities before building new infrastructure;
d) ensure that new investments are efficient and cost effective (for example, by considering transportation impacts and
using flexible planning policies);
e) ensure that new developments include stormwater management;
f) give strong emphasis to and include strategies in the Official Plan to support low capital, low-cost modes of travel such
as walking, cycling and flexible transit;
g) capitalize on business trends that support sustainability (such as the use of Information and Communication Technology
to reduce travel); and
h) advocate within the Greater Toronto Services Board policies that promote the intensification of urban areas, the
conservation and enhancement of natural features and resources, and the conservation of prime agricultural land across the
GTA.
36. Conduct Research on Environmentally Sustainable Development
Recommended that the City, through the Sustainability Roundtable, carry out a program of research on environmentally
sustainable development. The research program should explore:
a) the sustainability benefits that may accrue from industry clusters that put businesses, suppliers, customers and employees
together;
b) the use of Information and Communication Technology to reduce travel by employees, suppliers and customers, to
reduce the shipping of goods, and to improve the efficiency of existing travel;
c) the implications of non-residential sprawl on environmental sustainability;
d) determine how infrastructure costs vary with location and with projected population and job growth;
e) determine the full costs of the infrastructure services it provides, including environmental and social costs, and develop a
strategy to move towards true cost accounting;
f) further investigate the linkages between urban form, energy efficiency and community economic development; and
g) the possibility of using heritage buildings as incubators for innovative business and community economic development
projects.
37. Increase Energy Efficiency in the Industrial Sector
Recommended that the City establish an Industrial Energy Efficiency Program. The program should:
a) be coordinated by the City's Energy Efficiency Office;
b) be carried out in partnership with Toronto Hydro, gas companies and the industrial sector;
c) provide services including energy audits, marketing, technical support and training, contractor training and certification,
and related matters; and
d) as an early step, carry out a sector energy characterization to learn about the state of the city's industrial technologies,
processes, and market segments.
38. Promote the Development of Green Industry
Recommended that the City coordinate the establishment of a Green Industry Initiative. This initiative should:
a) promote the establishment of "green industries" including industries that produce wind turbines, photovoltaic cells, soil
remediation technologies, recycling technologies, etc.;
b) support "green industry" entrepreneurs through such means as access to appropriate space, favourable leases and low
cost financing;
c) support "green industry" projects that employ the socially disadvantaged;
d) help to create markets for products;
e) document and monitor Toronto's green economy including progress on social and health factors;
f) promote the potential of the green economy to the public and private sectors;
g) develop a green economy award program to honour and celebrate leading companies and organizations contributing to
the greening of Toronto; and
h) include a full life cycle analysis of capital goods to ensure that new capital investment reflects a commitment to
sustainability.
39. Promote Local Food Production
Recommended that the City support local food production by carrying out the following initiatives:
a) recognize the City's potential for increased urban food production in the Official Plan;
b) implement the action plan that is being developed by Economic Development, Culture and Tourism to expand
community gardening;
c) develop an action plan to build rooftop gardens on City buildings (see Recommendation 8);
d) prepare an inventory of potential locations where greenhouse facilities could be located near potential energy
co-generation projects or landfills with methane recovery;
e) make compost from wet waste recovery readily available to urban food production projects and businesses;
f) report on the feasibility of developing a cluster of local food industries;
g) determine the need for "incubator" programs to support emerging local food businesses;
h) carry out a food flow analysis for the City to determine the amount of food imported and its sources;
i) analyze existing food procurement arrangements to identify potential products that could be produced through an urban
food production system;
j) create urban food production pilot projects; and
k) prepare an inventory of sources of organic food in Toronto and make this information available to the public in the form
of a directory.
40. Promote Re-use and Recycling of Construction and Renovation Waste
Recommended that the City encourage the re-use and recycling of solid waste from construction and renovation projects. It
should:
a) report on options for making resource recovery easier and more cost-effective;
b) launch a public education campaign on resource recovery aimed at homeowners and renovation contractors;
c) report on the feasibility of assigning priority to building permit applications that demonstrate re-use or recycling as part
of the project;
d) review waste management policies and practices to ascertain what incentives can be put in place to create stable,
long-term markets for resource recovery; and
e) organize an industrial cluster pilot project centred on the theme of re-using and recycling construction and renovation
waste.
EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
41. Become a World Leader in Environmental and Sustainability Education and Outreach
Recommended that the City adopt a goal of becoming a world leader in the delivery of education and outreach on the
environment and sustainability. To achieve this goal the City should:
a) develop and deliver education and outreach initiatives in partnership with the broad community of educators; and
b) strive to establish a culture supportive of environmental sustainability through building awareness of the need for action,
developing support for sustainability initiatives, and motivating the adoption of more environmentally sustainable
behaviour across society.
42. Develop a Public Education and Outreach Program on the Environment and Sustainability
Recommended that the City develop and implement a targeted Public Education and Outreach Program on the environment
and sustainability. The program should:
a) be coordinated by the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services until such time as a lead for sustainability
assumes this responsibility;
b) be designed to involve other City Agencies, Boards and Commissions;
c) be based on City priorities as identified in the approved Strategic Plan and this document or by Council;
d) use a two-tiered community-based social marketing approach that develops broad public awareness of environmental
conditions and issues and promotes individual behaviour change and the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices;
e) include an "inreach" component aimed at City staff;
f) include the development of culturally sensitive and relevant initiatives incorporating environmental and sustainability
information in English as a Second Language programs and equivalent programs as well as in the Citizenship and
Immigration Canada test information;
g) include the Toronto Environmental/Earth Week Program in 2000, sponsored by the Mayor and Council;
h) include the development of a sustainability "brand" or identity for the City in the form of an easily recognized name,
logo and slogan;
i) be developed in consultation with key environmental educators in Toronto, including the city's environmental groups;
j) include communicating the City's success stories such as environmental procurement, building efficiency, corporate
smog reduction and pesticide reduction; and
k) be presented to the Sustainability Roundtable and City Council before December 31, 2000.
43. Focus Education and Community-Based Marketing on Key Areas
Recommended that the City, in consultation with the Sustainability Roundtable, identify priority areas for the Public
Education and Outreach Program. These should include:
a) the promotion of sustainable transportation options including public transit; and
b) air issues including climate change, ozone depletion, smog and air toxics.
44. Support the Education and Outreach Work of Others
Recommended that the City recognize the contribution of and continue to support the environmental and sustainability
education and outreach work of community-based groups, non-governmental organizations, and business, industry, union
and youth organizations. The City should:
a) provide funding and in-kind assistance for environmental community groups and their education projects to carry out
public education and outreach initiatives on environmental and sustainability issues;
b) include opportunities to work with business, industry and unions;
c) include a specific youth program that considers ideas generated by the Youth Environmental Summit held in the
Summer of 1999;
d) recognize through award programs or other means the contributions of individuals and organizations in environmental
and sustainability initiatives; and
e) support the environmental community's education and awareness projects, especially those that work towards energy
conservation and climate change, smog reduction habitat restoration, pollution prevention and sustainable transportation.
45. Help Integrate the Environment and Sustainability into the Formal Education System
Recommended that the City encourage the development of curriculum materials related to environment and sustainability.
It should:
a) request local universities, colleges and school boards to include the concepts of sustainability as components of their
curricula;
b) identify appropriate roles for City departments and agencies represented on the ETF in developing curriculum materials
for the Toronto school boards;
c) request local universities and colleges and the Ontario Ministries of Education and Training, Colleges and Universities
to include environmental and sustainability education as a significant core element for the education of teachers;
d) work in partnership with universities, local colleges, school board, environmental agencies and organizations to develop
and monitor sustainability indicators; and
e) develop new programs or strengthen existing programs being delivered in Toronto schools in partnership with other
educators.
46. Increase Educational Opportunities in City Parks and Greenspaces
Recommended that the City support enhanced opportunities for nature appreciation, nature exploration and stewardship
activities in City parks and greenspaces.
47. Support and Enhance Environmental Education Centres
Recommended that the City recognize the importance of and seek ways to strengthen the contributions made by existing
outdoor education facilities run by the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board and The
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
48. Improve the Availability of Information on Environment and Sustainability
Recommended that the City facilitate the exchange of information on environmental and sustainability issues. It should:
a) request the Toronto Public Library Board to promote its existing environmental resources and investigate the feasibility
of establishing a sustainability collection;
b) develop an on-line environmental information resource as part of the City website, including links to Toronto's
environmental community ; and
c) request the Sustainability Roundtable to explore the opportunities for sharing information on sustainability with other
organizations and agencies.
49. Support Long-Term Partnerships for Education and Outreach
Recommended that the City support the development of long-term partnerships for education and outreach on
environmental and sustainability issues. The City should;
a) provide staff resources to allow the Education and Awareness Work Group to continue to advise on and help implement
elements such as a sustainability forum for educators, the Toronto Environmental/Earth Week Program in 2000, and
on-line environmental information for the City's website;
b) develop an education and outreach subcommittee to the Sustainability Roundtable to include representatives from all
sectors of education;
c) request The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, in partnership with school boards and Toronto's environmental
groups, explore the feasibility of hosting a regular sustainability forum for educators;
d) request recognized environmental learning centres, such as the Ontario Science Centre, to promote urban sustainability
in their core programs;
e) develop partnerships and work with other environmental funding agencies, including the Community Foundation,
Trillium, Great Lakes Renewal Foundation, and Environment Canada;
f) work in partnership with Toronto's environmental community to promote skill development, access to city staff, and
increased networking and information sharing; and
g) recognize the role of business associations in promoting environmental and sustainable awareness programs to their
members and develop partnerships with those working on environmental education programs.
GOVERNANCE
50. Appoint a Sustainability Lead
Recommended that the Chief Administrative Officer become the Sustainability Lead and appoint a Sustainability Director
to carry out the following responsibilities:
a) prepare a plan, in consultation with the proposed Sustainability Roundtable and staff to identify how sustainability can
best be promoted, facilitated and supported within the Corporation, and present this plan to the Policy and Finance
Committee by January 2001; and
b) work with other members of the Senior Management Team to incorporate sustainability into the City's policies,
programs and decision-making processes.
51. Establish a Sustainability Roundtable
Recommended that the City establish a strategic, high-level Sustainability Roundtable to meet periodically. The mandate of
the Roundtable should include the following responsibilities:
a) to promote actions within the City of Toronto based on sustainability (i.e., actions that simultaneously achieve
environmental protection, economic vitality and social well-being);
b) to report to Council, normally through the Policy and Finance Committee, and where appropriate through other Standing
Committees;
c) to act as the City's key forum to develop and bring together sustainability leaders and make recommendations about
sustainability to Council and the administration;
d) to help Council form consensus on contentious issues through a sustainability approach;
e) to monitor, with the assistance of the Sustainability Lead, progress towards sustainability in the Corporation and the City
of Toronto;
f) to advise in strategic and sectoral planning so that sustainability becomes a key integrating tool in planning processes;
g) to facilitate public input into sustainability planning by the City;
h) to facilitate education and awareness of sustainability; and
i) to issue an annual "State of Sustainability Report" to Council and report to Council and its Standing Committees on any
issues related to sustainability.
The membership of the Sustainability Roundtable will include:
a) one city councillor from each of the following Standing Committees (Economic Development and Parks, Policy and
Finance, Community Services, Planning and Transportation and Works) and the Sustainability Advocate;
b) senior staff including the CAO or the Sustainability Director, the Commissioners of Works and Emergency Services,
Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, Community and Neighbourhood Services, Urban Planning and
Development Services or their delegates, and the Medical Officer of Health;
c) one representative each from The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Board of Health;
d) one representative each from CUPE 416 and CUPE 79;
e) equal representation from organizations representing the environmental, social and economic development communities;
f) the community representation outlined in (e) should constitute at least 50 percent of the membership; and
g) a list of organizations to nominate representatives to the Roundtable will be developed by the Environmental Task Force
for consideration by the Policy and Finance Committee.
52. Create a Sustainability Advocate
Recommended that the City appoint a member of Council (who is not the Chair of a Standing Committee or of Community
Council) as the Sustainability Advocate with the following responsibilities:
a) to co-chair, with a prominent citizen member, the Sustainability Roundtable;
b) to ensure that sustainability is promoted through the City of Toronto;
c) on behalf of the Roundtable, to monitor the incorporation of sustainability into the policies and activities of the
Corporation and to consult with members of the public promoting sustainability; and
d) to present to Council, on behalf of the Roundtable, its annual report and report to Council and its Standing Committees
on any issues related to sustainability.
53. Create a Standing Committee Sustainability Representative
Recommended that the Standing Committees nominate a representative to sit on the Sustainability Roundtable and carry
out the following responsibilities:
a) monitor the policies and activities of the Standing Committees and promote actions based on sustainability;
b) consult with the public on sustainable activities; and
c) consider suggestions and complaints from the public on the success in promoting sustainability achieved by the Standing
Committees and Departments.
54. Create an Environmental Auditor
Recommended that the City create the position of Environmental Auditor within Audit Services with the following
responsibilities:
a) to assess:
i. how effectively City Departments have met the City's environmental goals; and
ii. the processes established to achieve these goals.
c) to produce an annual report that is accessible and available to the public;
d) to investigate the City's response to public complaints about city operations that contribute to environmental
degradation;
e) to develop methodologies and reporting mechanisms that will allow environmental audits to incorporate social and
economic considerations; and
f) to liaise with provincial and federal counterparts to take advantage of shared methodologies and insights.
55. Standing Committees Should Respond to the Environmental Audit
Recommended that the City's Departments submit annual reports to the appropriate Standing Committee in response to the
Environmental Auditor's Report.
56. Research How to do a Sustainability Audit
Recommended that the City Auditor, in consultation with the Sustainability Roundtable, prepare a report on how a
Sustainability Audit can be produced by Audit Services, and submit this report to the Policy and Finance Committee within
two years of the creation of the Sustainability Roundtable.
57. Support Environmental Advisory Committees
Each Commissioner, in consultation with the ETF and its successor the Sustainability Roundtable, should review the need
for and the support provided to Department Program Advisory Committees and City-owned site specific Advisory
Committees and report thereon to the appropriate standing committee of Council.
58. Create an Inter-Governmental Environmental Advocate
Recommended that City Council appoint a City Councillor and a Senior staff person to ensure that City interests are
properly represented in regional, provincial and federal environmental policy review and development and to recommend
such actions as deemed necessary.
MEASURING AND REPORTING PROGRESS
59. Develop Indicators to Measure Sustainability and the Health of the Environment
Recommended that the City develop a set of performance indicators to measure environmental, economic and social
health. These should:
a) be developed by a Monitoring Subcommittee of the Toronto Inter-Departmental Environmental Team (TIE ) with the
Sustainability Roundtable;
b) use the indicators identified in this Plan and those used in the 1998 Metro Toronto State of the Environment Update
Report as starting points and develop additional indicators to fill data gaps;
c) incorporate best practices from other jurisdictions;
d) involve the community and stakeholders in the indicator selection process; and
e) be updated regularly to keep indicators relevant to environment changes, technological improvements and community
concerns.
60. Develop an Environmental Management System for the City
Recommended that the City develop an Environmental Management System for the corporation. This system should:
a) establish overall environmental policies;
b) use the priorities outlined in this Plan as a starting point;
c) be used to evaluate corporate-wide implementation of environmental policies;
d) include mechanisms to ensure employee buy-in, such as training and reward components;
e) consider the establishment of workplace Environment Committees so that workers and management can work together
to identify and address workplace-related environmental issues; and
f) include annual environmental audits by an internal auditor (as described in recommendation 55) to measure the
environmental performance of the Corporation.
61. Report on Sustainability Progress and Environmental Conditions
Recommended that the City report regularly to Council, residents, agencies and the media on the progress being made to
achieve sustainability and improve environmental conditions. It should:
a) produce a State of the City Report every three years that reviews the natural, social and economic environment;
b) issue a State of the Environment Report every three years beginning in 2003, that includes a section written by a third
party representing the environmental community;
c) report to the Sustainability Roundtable every three years, starting in 2001, on Sustainable Transportation Progress; and
d) report on the implementation of the Environmental Plan annually beginning in 2001 with a "State of Sustainability
Report" that includes a section written by a third party representing the environmental, social equity and economy sectors;
and
e) update the Environmental Plan every six years beginning in 2006.
62. Coordinate Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Activities
Recommended that TIE and the Sustainability Roundtable, in consultation with City Departments, coordinate the
monitoring, evaluation and reporting activities outlined in this Plan.
IMPLEMENTATION
63. Integrate the Environmental Plan with Other Planning Processes
Recommended that the City
a) forward Clean, Green and Healthy: A Plan for an Environmentally Sustainable Toronto for incorporation of relevant
elements into other current planning processes. These include the Official Plan, the Strategic Plan, the Strategic
Transportation Planning Group, the Annual Budget Process, the Economic Plan, Social Development Strategies and future
planning processes;
b) forward the plan to the Greater Toronto Services Board, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Federation of
Canadian Municipalities, provincial and federal governments and ensure the plan's contents are incorporated into any city
policies being developed for these bodies or jurisdictions
64. Provide Adequate Resources for Implementation
Recommended that the City consider the financial, social and economic implications of each recommendation contained in
the Environmental Plan and direct City staff to include adequate financial and human resources for implementation in their
2001 budget submissions and budget projections for subsequent years.
65. Set Moving Targets
Recommended that the City and the Sustainability Roundtable set targets for implementation, review them over time
against overall goals, and tighten them when appropriate to reflect program successes, environmental conditions, and
public concern.
66. Address Future and Emerging Issues
Recommended that the City, through the Sustainability Roundtable, monitor future and emerging issues that relate to
sustainability and the natural environment. These issues include:
- the addition of fluoride to drinking water;
- options for decentralizing the sewer system;
- the expansion of Pearson International Airport;
- the increase in air shipment of goods;
- noise;
- indoor air quality;
- genetically altered foods;
- those identified in the ETF Public Consultation report, the TEA Environmental Leaders report and the forthcoming
report of the Toronto Cancer Prevention Coalition such as the integration of the implementation of water, energy and toxics
reduction programs through the creation of interdepartmental pollution prevention teams; and
- others as appropriate.
