Cities100: Toronto - Accelerating Climate Action to Reduce Emissions

Toronto is fast-tracking climate action with its new plan, which sets the city on a sure path to 80% emissions reduction by 2050.

The Challenge

TransformTO recognizes the acute danger of climate change and accelerates the current climate action plan to ensure carbon emissions reductions of 80% by 2050.

The Solution

Toronto is picking up the pace when it comes to saving the planet. Building on the success of the city's first climate action plan and aiming to accelerate action, the city's council initiated TransformTO in 2015. The renewal of the action plan recommends cross-sector targets, including 75% of energy to be renewable and 100% of transportation to use zero-carbon energy by 2050; 100% of new buildings to be near-zero emissions by 2030; and 100% of existing buildings retrofitted by 2050. Toronto seeks to not only address climate change mitigation with these goals, but equally to focus on adapting the city, making it resilient against future impacts. When implemented, these accelerated actions are projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 857,000 metric tons by 2020. To reach the ambitious targets, Toronto has developed acceleration campaigns to mobilize low-carbon neighborhoods, prepare the city for electric mobility, and educate the workforce to construct high-performance buildings. Achieving these targets will ensure that Toronto exceeds its short-term target of 30% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2020 and successfully set the city on a path to reach a city-wide emissions reduction target of 80% by 2050.

Environmental Benefits – In order to reduce carbon emissions and waste to landfill, TransfromTO also aims to achieve a 95% waste diversion goal by 2050.

Social Benefits – The transformative plan aims to advance social equity, improve affordability, and reduce poverty to increase quality of life for all Torontonians.

Economic Benefits – Meeting Toronto’s emissions targets is estimated to save the city approximately $11 billion between 2016 and 2050 via lower heating, cooling, and power costs.

Health Benefits – TransformTO encourages the use of active transportation for 75% of trips under five km by 2050, reducing illness and mortality associated with inactivity.

About Cities100

Presented by C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), Sustainia and Realdania – Cities100 2017 showcases leading solutions to urban climate challenges in five sectors: Energy, Waste, Adaptation, Mitigation and Transportation.

Available online and in print, Cities100 provides stakeholders an accessible format to explore achievable solutions for climate action in cities, and will be a useful tool for relevant groups ranging from impact investors and development organizations, to mayors and city governments. You can access the full Cities100 2017 publication online here.