Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan

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The Town has completed the Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan, which was developed in two phases: Phase 1: Resilience and Phase 2: Mitigation. Phase 1 identified risks, like heat and flooding, to better prepare for future climate-related events. Phase 2 is focused on climate change mitigation, to identify actions to reach the Town's target of net-zero emissions.


The Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan includes corporate actions for the Town, as well as community actions for Whitby service providers, businesses and residents to help reduce and prevent the risks of climate change. The Plan clearly outlines the resources and the timing required to implement each of the actions.

The Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan has two phases:

  • Resilience: Identify future risks and vulnerabilities and increase the resilience and capacity of the Town to prepare for future climate-related events; and,
  • Mitigation: Identify actions that can be taken to achieve zero emissions in the community and enable the Town to position to take advantage of a low carbon economy and emerging technology.

Climate Emergency Response Plan - Phase 1: Resilience

Phase 1 involved the development of a Resilience Plan, which was endorsed by Council in September of 2022. The purpose of the Plan is to address the climate changes we already experience in Whitby and expect to experience in the future even with the adoption of GHG emissions mitigation measures. Risk and vulnerability modelling was done by developing two future scenarios for the Town:

  • An adapted scenario, where measures to reduce the direct and indirect risks of climate change are applied across the community; and
  • A business-as-usual scenario, which includes growth and development without a climate adaptation lens.

To support the achievement of the adaptation actions, a detailed five-year community-led Implementation Plan has been developed. View Phase 1 of the Plan below:

Climate Emergency Response Plan - Phase 2: Mitigation

Phase 2 involved the development of a Mitigation Plan, which was endorsed by Council in December of 2023. The Mitigation Plan focuses on climate mitigation and identifies the sources of GHG emissions in Whitby. It provides guidance and recommendations to meet the Town's community-wide GHG emissions reduction target of net-zero by 2045. To support the Mitigation Plan, a short-term Implementation Plan has been developed to actively guide progress from 2024 to 2030 on the low-carbon pathway. View Phase 2 of the Plan below:

Next Steps

As part of next steps for Phase 1: Resilience, the Town is working on implementing a variety of action items identified in the Implementation Plan for 2024, such as:

  • Develop and implement a community wide education campaign on climate risks, preparedness and recovery; and
  • Select a neighbourhood for a pilot project to install green infrastructure, with signage and community participation where possible.

For Phase 2: Mitigation, a variety of action items will also be implemented in 2024, such as:

  • Complete a study to determine the areas throughout the Town that are best suitable for a district energy, and wastewater heat recovery. Based on study, install one geothermal pilot project by 2026.
  • By end of 2024, update the Whitby Green Standard's (WGS) minimum requirements to Tier 2 and develop a Terms of Reference (TOR) outlining specific requirements for each performance criteria.
  • Investigate the development of a residential and a commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program.

The Town has completed the Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan, which was developed in two phases: Phase 1: Resilience and Phase 2: Mitigation. Phase 1 identified risks, like heat and flooding, to better prepare for future climate-related events. Phase 2 is focused on climate change mitigation, to identify actions to reach the Town's target of net-zero emissions.


The Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan includes corporate actions for the Town, as well as community actions for Whitby service providers, businesses and residents to help reduce and prevent the risks of climate change. The Plan clearly outlines the resources and the timing required to implement each of the actions.

The Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan has two phases:

  • Resilience: Identify future risks and vulnerabilities and increase the resilience and capacity of the Town to prepare for future climate-related events; and,
  • Mitigation: Identify actions that can be taken to achieve zero emissions in the community and enable the Town to position to take advantage of a low carbon economy and emerging technology.

Climate Emergency Response Plan - Phase 1: Resilience

Phase 1 involved the development of a Resilience Plan, which was endorsed by Council in September of 2022. The purpose of the Plan is to address the climate changes we already experience in Whitby and expect to experience in the future even with the adoption of GHG emissions mitigation measures. Risk and vulnerability modelling was done by developing two future scenarios for the Town:

  • An adapted scenario, where measures to reduce the direct and indirect risks of climate change are applied across the community; and
  • A business-as-usual scenario, which includes growth and development without a climate adaptation lens.

To support the achievement of the adaptation actions, a detailed five-year community-led Implementation Plan has been developed. View Phase 1 of the Plan below:

Climate Emergency Response Plan - Phase 2: Mitigation

Phase 2 involved the development of a Mitigation Plan, which was endorsed by Council in December of 2023. The Mitigation Plan focuses on climate mitigation and identifies the sources of GHG emissions in Whitby. It provides guidance and recommendations to meet the Town's community-wide GHG emissions reduction target of net-zero by 2045. To support the Mitigation Plan, a short-term Implementation Plan has been developed to actively guide progress from 2024 to 2030 on the low-carbon pathway. View Phase 2 of the Plan below:

Next Steps

As part of next steps for Phase 1: Resilience, the Town is working on implementing a variety of action items identified in the Implementation Plan for 2024, such as:

  • Develop and implement a community wide education campaign on climate risks, preparedness and recovery; and
  • Select a neighbourhood for a pilot project to install green infrastructure, with signage and community participation where possible.

For Phase 2: Mitigation, a variety of action items will also be implemented in 2024, such as:

  • Complete a study to determine the areas throughout the Town that are best suitable for a district energy, and wastewater heat recovery. Based on study, install one geothermal pilot project by 2026.
  • By end of 2024, update the Whitby Green Standard's (WGS) minimum requirements to Tier 2 and develop a Terms of Reference (TOR) outlining specific requirements for each performance criteria.
  • Investigate the development of a residential and a commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program.
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.
    Now through October 27, take a short survey on emergency preparedness and climate change for the chance to win one of 50 emergency preparedness kits (must live in the Town of Whitby to participate).
     
    Your insights will make a difference in shaping strategies to mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters. By sharing your thoughts, you're helping the Town understand how we can better equip the community to be prepared for challenges posed by a changing climate. Your voice matters.

    Note: Before starting the survey, please make sure that your browser and device are updated with the latest software.

    Thank you in advance for your valuable feedback.
    Share Emergency Preparedness and Climate Change Survey on Facebook Share Emergency Preparedness and Climate Change Survey on Twitter Share Emergency Preparedness and Climate Change Survey on Linkedin Email Emergency Preparedness and Climate Change Survey link
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Now through July 14, you're invited to take a new climate change survey. The Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP): Resilience plan has been developed to address the needs of a changing climate and help the Town to prepare for future climate-related events. It includes actions to protect people, infrastructure and the environment from increasing heat events, flooding and severe storms.

    We want to know your thoughts on the plan and how much you think climate change will impact you – now and in the future.

    Note: Before starting the survey, please make sure that your browser and device are updated with the latest software.

    Thank you in advance for your valuable feedback.

    Share Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP): Resilience on Facebook Share Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP): Resilience on Twitter Share Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP): Resilience on Linkedin Email Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP): Resilience link
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Note: Before starting the survey, please make sure that your browser and device are updated with the latest software. 

    Thank you for your interest in the Whitby Climate Change Master Plan.

    Now through Friday, May 6 you're invited to visit Connect Whitby to take a new survey. This is an important one as it will be used to help shape the actions of the plan! We want to know how you perceive climate risk, how to best reach the community, and more. Your responses will help us make a difference as we look to increase Whitby's resilience to climate risks.

    Thank you in advance for your valuable feedback.

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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.
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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.
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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.
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Page last updated: 17 Sep 2024, 11:20 AM