CLIMATE CHANGE

Ontario’s plan – adding it up

Go Green is Ontario’s Action Plan on Climate Change. It includes some of the most wide-ranging, progressive steps on the environment that Ontario has ever taken. You can benefit from it – and save money too.

Go Green will improve the way we live and travel in southern and central Ontario, how we heat and light our homes and encourage and support businesses and industries in thinking green.

Go Green is a five-point action plan:

• Green Targets – We have set short-, medium- and long-term targets for reducing Ontario’s greenhouse gas emissions. We’ll be achieving these targets through:
  • new regulations
  • conservation
  • a phase-out of coal-fired power plants and much more renewable energy.
  • phasing out inefficient light bulbs
  • rebates for energy audits
  • provincial sales tax breaks for energy efficient products
  • new programs and incentives for Ontario consumers, businesses, and municipalities to get green.
• MoveOntario 2020 – The largest transit investment in Canadian history is a $17.5 billion plan that includes 52 rapid transit projects in the GTA and Hamilton.
• Creating Jobs by Going Green – The Next Generation of Jobs Fund, a new $1.15 billion program will secure the next generation of high-paying jobs for Ontarians by supporting the use and sale of clean and green technologies and businesses right here in Ontario.
• Green Power – A $150 million investment is helping Ontario homeowners fight climate change, conserve energy and adopt green technologies. We have set long-term targets to double the amount of electricity from renewable sources by 2025. We have gone from 10 to nearly 700 windmills, in place or planned.  A new standard offer program for clean energy helps small renewable energy producers sell their power to Ontario’s electricity grid.
• Grow Green – Ontario’s Greenbelt Act protects green spaces and agricultural land around our most populated areas.  And 50 million new trees will be planted in southern Ontario by 2020. Under the Places to Grow Act, we are growing more sustainable, energy-efficient, transit-friendly communities. We’re also bringing in new programs to promote locally grown Ontario food – the best in the world.

Ontario is working to address climate change. To find out more read our Go Green Action Plan or a progress report contained in Ontario’s first Annual Report.

Find out what we are doing to help you make a difference.  We are offering rewards and programs to make it easier for you to cut greenhouse gas emissions, help address climate change … and save money. Go to ontario.ca/additup to find out more.

What's in this Section

Main WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE? Why is it happening? How does it affect us?

What the Ontario Government Is Doing

GHG Reduction Targets

Our Plan: Adding It Up

Cap and Trade

Climate Change Secretariat

Ontario Climate Change Announcements

Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Initiatives