January 21, 2013
Policy Proposal Notice
November 13, 2012
Ontario’s comprehensive Climate Change Action Plan is helping Ontarians make better, greener choices that will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint and position our province for a sustainable future. Here are the key components of the plan:
- Setting green targets
- Phasing out coal
- Participating in Cap and Trade
- Investing in MoveOntario 2020
- Supporting green power
- Protecting our green spaces
- Working with provincial and federal governments and ministries
- Helping communities “go green”
Learn more about Ontario’s efforts to address climate change by reading:
- Climate Progress: Ontario’s Plan for a Cleaner, More Sustainable Future
- Climate Ready: Ontario’s Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan 2011-2014
- Climate Action: Adapting to Change, Protecting Our Future
Setting green targets
We have firm targets for reducing Ontario’s greenhouse gas emissions: six per cent below 1990 levels by 2014, 15 per cent by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050. We’ll be achieving these targets through:
- phasing out coal-fired power plants and supporting more renewable energy
- creating a culture of conservation
- creating a cap-and-trade system for industry
- giving provincial sales tax breaks for energy-efficient products
- introducing programs and incentives for consumers, businesses, and municipalities to go green
Phasing out coal
Ontario was the first jurisdiction in North America with a regulation in place to phase out coal-fired electricity. This bold action represents one of the largest single greenhouse-gas-reduction measures in North America and will reduce our carbon footprint from electricity by 75 per cent.
Investing in MoveOntario 2020
Ontario has made significant investments in public transit and is moving ahead with putting more than $9 billion toward priority rapid transit identified in the Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan.
Supporting green power
Ontario’s forward-looking Green Energy Act will:
- expand Ontario’s use of clean, renewable energy: wind, solar, hydro, biomass and biogas
- implement a 21st-century “smart” power grid to support the development of new renewable-energy projects and prepare Ontario for new technologies such as electric cars
A $150 million investment toward a bundle of green energy programs and tax rebates and exemptions 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. In 2009, more than 80 per cent of Ontario’s electricity came from emissions-free sources like wind, water, solar, biogas and nuclear. We have gone from 10 wind turbines in 2003 to nearly 700 today, either 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.
- Learn more about the Green Energy Act from the Ministry of Energy.
- Read more about Ontario’s renewable energy initiative
Protecting our green spaces
Ontario’s Greenbelt protects 1.8 million acres of green space around our most populated areas – helping establish green areas and preserving agricultural land in metropolitan areas. We are protecting the boreal forest in the north, planting 50 million trees in southern Ontario by 2020 and encouraging Ontarians to eat fresh, locally-grown foods.
Working with provincial and federal governments and ministries
Climate change is a challenge that requires efforts from across government and across the province. The Climate Change Secretariat, which was created in February 2008, works with ministries and agencies from across government to drive results on the Climate Change Action Plan.
The secretariat’s mandate is to provide corporate leadership and support for government-wide efforts on all aspects of climate change, particularly in tracking progress and risks related to the Climate Change Action Plan.
Using a consistent mechanism for tracking progress enables the Climate Change Secretariat to:
- keep the plan and its targets on track
- recommend course corrections when needed
- take the lead role for the development of the Climate Change Action Plan Annual Report
Helping communities “go green”
In the four years it was available, the Community Go Green Fund provided more than $6 million to 90 community groups.
Groups included charitable or environmental organizations, youth or cultural associations, educational institutions and Aboriginal communities.
Projects engaged people in the community to change their behaviour in order to reduce their carbon footprint.