Climate change mitigation plan sets the stage for emission reductions

Gravenhurst council members, at their Jan. 21 meeting, endorsed the town’s Corporate Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Regional Climate Change Mitigation Plan.  

Prepared with assistance from Tatham Engineering, the plan contains emission reduction targets for the years ahead, specifically:   

• A short-term target of a 30 percent to 40 percent reduction from 2018 levels for all corporate emissions by 2030. 

• A long-term target of net zero by 2050. 

• Development of a net-zero building policy and a net-zero new fleet policy. 

To be successful, the plan calls for significant investments in the coming years, including municipal facility retrofits and a shift to EVs for the town’s fleet.  

“This plan is a valuable document that will serve as a roadmap for future decision making,” Mayor Heidi Lorenz said. “Investments in new technology will be key if we are to meet short and long-term targets.”  

Melissa Halford, director of development services, echoed the mayor.  

“This is an ambitious plan, but certainly achievable for us. As part of the work to be done, staff will sharpen their pencils and leverage funding opportunities to help offset the costs of the investments we must make for a more sustainable future,” Halford said.  

The town’s mitigation plan dovetails with the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan, which is a Muskoka-wide plan to reduce, minimize, or eliminate the adverse effects of climate change.  

As part of the regional plan, lower-tier municipalities have developed plans that relate specifically to their communities.  

Additional resources:  

Read the related staff report.   

Review the plan.   

Watch the presentation.   

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