Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan

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 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:

• CERP Phase 1: Resilience- Executive Summary
• CERP Phase 1: Resilience- Implementation Plan
• CERP Phase 1: Resilience - Technical Summary
• CERP Phase 1: Resilience - Consultation Report

Climate Emergency Response Plan - Phase 2: Mitigation

Phase 2 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:

• CERP Phase 2: Mitigation - Mitigation Plan
• CERP Phase 2: Mitigation - Implementation Plan
• CERP Phase 2: Mitigation - Financial Analysis
• CERP Phase 2: Mitigation - Engagement Summary
• CERP Phase 2: Mitigation - Data, Methods, and Assumptions

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 2026, such as:

• A new Invasive Species Management Plan will be developed.
• The SNAP Team will draft the Action Plan and begin implementing projects that align with municipal goals and community priorities.
• Plant trees and shrubs across the community through the Community Greening Program.

For Phase 2: Mitigation, a variety of action items will also be implemented in 2026, such as:

• Complete a study to determine the areas throughout the Town that are best suitable for a district energy, and wastewater heat recovery.
• Develop an interactive public dashboard, that displays energy consumed and carbon emissions saved in the building.
• Host energy retrofit workshops and demonstrations, including Durham Greener Homes and Home Energy & EV Expo, to help residents learn about home energy upgrades, rebates, and electric vehicle options.