The City’s priority on greening its own operations demonstrates leadership and supports the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy and target to reduce emissions to net zero by 2040.

City initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions include:

  • retrofitting City-owned buildings to improve energy efficiency
  • installing solar photovoltaic PV systems on City properties
  • connecting City-owned buildings to the Deep Lake Water Cooling system
  • collecting methane at City landfills
  • planting trees

Emissions reduced through these projects and others can generate revenue for the City if they are sold as carbon offset credits. Carbon offset credits are greenhouse gas emissions reductions that are quantified, verified by a third party, and serialized on a carbon registry.

Carbon Credit Policy

The City’s Carbon Credit Policy outlines the guidelines under which the City will sell its carbon offset credits including a condition that credits, once sold, must be retired immediately and not re-sold to potential polluters.

Public Notice: City of Toronto List of Carbon Offset Credits

Consistent with its policy, the City has created a list of projects and programs that may be eligible for future carbon offset credits. This list provides notice of the City’s ownership or potential ownership of these carbon offset credits. It does not include all of the projects that the City has undertaken to reduce Toronto’s greenhouse gas emissions, only those that are or may be eligible to be registered as carbon credits. This list will be continually updated to reflect additions and changes, as required.

Project/Facilities Type City Division, Agency, Board or Commission
Fleet Vehicles Acquisition of hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles Fleet Services
Tree Plantings Afforestation Parks, Forestry & Recreation
Biodiesel Alternative Fuel Purchase Fleet Services
Ethanol Gasoline Alternative Fuel Purchase Fleet Services
Natural Gas Vehicle Alternative Fuel Purchase Fleet Services
City Hall Deep Lake Water Cooling Facilities Management
John Street Roundhouse Deep Lake Water Cooling Economic Development & Culture
Metro Hall Deep Lake Water Cooling Facilities Management
Old City Hall Deep Lake Water Cooling Facilities Management
Police Headquarters Deep Lake Water Cooling Facilities Management
Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant Digester Gas Utilization Toronto Water
R.L. Clark Water Treatment Plant Energy Efficiency Retrofit Toronto Water
Ellesmere Pumping Station Energy Efficiency Retrofit Toronto Water
Evergreen Brickworks Energy Efficiency Retrofit Economic Development & Culture
LED Traffic Signal Lamp Conversion Energy Efficiency Retrofit Transportation Services
R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant Energy Efficiency Retrofit Toronto Water
Arenas Energy Efficiency Retrofit Facilities Management / Parks, Forestry & Recreation
Central Maintenance Garage Energy Efficiency Retrofit Facilities Management
Civic Centres Energy Efficiency Retrofit Facilities Management
Community Centres Energy Efficiency Retrofit Facilities Management / Parks, Forestry & Recreation
Direct Energy Centre Energy Efficiency Retrofit Facilities Management / Exhibition Place
EMS Stations Energy Efficiency Retrofit Facilities Management / Emergency Medical Services
Exhibition Place Energy Efficiency Retrofit Facilities Management / Exhibition Place
Fire Halls Energy Efficiency Retrofit Facilities Management / Fire Services
Police Headquarters Energy Efficiency Retrofit Facilities Management
Police Stations Energy Efficiency Retrofit Facilities Management
Public Libraries Energy Efficiency Retrofit Facilities Management / Toronto Public Library
Recreation Centers Lighting Energy Efficiency Retrofit Facilities Management / Parks, Forestry & Recreation
Ricoh Coliseum Energy Efficiency Retrofit Facilities Management / Exhibition Place
St. Lawrence Hall and South Market Energy Efficiency Retrofit Facilities Management
Transfer Stations Energy Efficiency Retrofit Facilities Management / Solid Waste Management
Wychwood Barns Geo-thermal heating / cooling system Economic Development & Culture
Beare Road Landfill Landfill gas collection, combustion and electricity generation Solid Waste Management / Technical Services
Brock West Landfill Landfill gas collection, combustion and electricity generation Solid Waste Management / Technical Services
Keele Valley Landfill Landfill gas collection, combustion and electricity generation Solid Waste Management / Technical Services
Better Buildings Partnership Loan Repayment Reserve Fund Facilities Management
Queensway Fieldhouse New Construction Parks, Forestry & Recreation