RecoveryTO: Climate Action & Resilience

COVID-19 is a powerful reminder that the everyday stresses that Torontonians face are significantly exacerbated by external risks emerging from the natural world. The City’s TransformTO Climate Action Strategy and Resilience Strategy identify goals and actions to help Toronto survive, adapt and thrive in the face of any challenge, particularly climate change and chronic stresses such as growing inequality, systemic racism, mobility challenges and ageing infrastructure, and acute shocks such as pandemics, heatwaves, flooding or blizzards. A resilient city is focused on reducing inequities so that communities are better able to bounce back when they face a shock.

2021 priorities include developing a Net Zero Strategy to reach the City’s ambitious target: net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner.

Related Announcements

Reports to Council

Council approves cycling infrastructure upgrades under 2022 Cycling Infrastructure and ActiveTO Cycling Network Expansion Project
City Council approves extension of the Residential and Downtown On-Street Electric Vehicle Charging Station pilots until May 31, 2022, as well as the installation of at least 17 more on-street charging stations
Toronto City Council advances plans to create over 100km of new bikeways over the next three years and to make seven ActiveTO cycling routes permanent
The City and Toronto Hydro to continue collaboration on the Toronto Hydro Climate Action Plan
City makes Home Energy Loan Program permanent to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gases
Federation of Canadian Municipalities new funding for City’s Home Energy Loan Program
The Net Zero Existing Buildings Strategy will influence and support the decarbonization all existing residential, commercial and institutional buildings within the next 30 years to meet the City’s net zero greenhouse gas reduction target
Updated Toronto Green Standard Version 4 (2022) will influence and support more sustainable development and advance the City’s efforts to achieve zero-emissions buildings by 2030 and meet 2050 city-wide greenhouse gas reduction targets
Proposed amendment to the City’s Official Plan aims to provide greater clarity to enable the sale of disposal of lands while maintaining strong protection for certain infrastructure and conservation projects

Search other reports to City Council for more information

Equity & Reconciliation Initiatives

Toronto’s adopted its first Reconciliation Action Plan in April 2022, building on the City’s existing commitments to Indigenous Peoples in Toronto. The Reconciliation Action Plan sets out 28 meaningful actions to restore truth and justice, addresses the colonial practices within City policies and programs, and will impact the whole of Toronto’s government
Indigenous inclusion and consultation in the Toronto Ravines Strategy and Stewardship Manual
City Council supports review of the options for the environmentally and culturally-sensitive dispersal of funeral ashes and to report in early 2022

Partnerships & Intergovernmental Updates

The Government of Canada released its 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, which outlines $9.1 billion in new investments
The City and Toronto Hydro to continue collaboration on the Toronto Hydro Climate Action Plan.
The Government of Canada attended the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). In advance of COP26, the City of Toronto and the Big City Mayors Caucus joined the Cities Race to Zero pledge.
The Government of Canada hosted the World Circular Economy Forum, in collaboration with partners including the City of Toronto
The Government of Canada announced a new $200 million Natural Infrastructure Fund, and noted that the City of Toronto and other large cities are invited to apply for up to $20 million in funding from the Large Project Stream (June 2021)
The City launches Toronto Clean Energy Partnership to boost trade and reduce global greenhouse gas emissions
The Toronto Atmospheric Fund received a Natural Resources Canada grant for electric vehicle charging project

Data & Trends

CityInSight Visualization Tool

A tool that allows users to use data from the City’s TransformTO Climate Action Strategy to develop data visualizations, including projected emissions for Toronto.

Open Data

The Open Data Portal is the official source for Toronto open data from City Divisions and agencies, including on mobility, development and infrastructure. It allows users to explore datasets through data visualizations, data stories, blog articles and more.