{"id":4946,"date":"2025-09-09T05:25:46","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T09:25:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/?p=4946"},"modified":"2025-09-09T05:47:45","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T09:47:45","slug":"torontos-fight-against-climate-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/eternal-4946-torontos-fight-against-climate-change","title":{"rendered":"Toronto\u2019s Fight Against Climate Change"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The climate is shifting faster than we can adapt. Summers are getting hotter, and sudden storms and floods are becoming more frequent. These changes hit big cities especially hard. But Toronto isn\u2019t standing still \u2014 the city is finding ways to respond. The local government has taken a systematic approach: cutting emissions, rebuilding infrastructure, engaging residents, and preparing the economy for a new future. One of the most ambitious projects born out of this vision is <strong>TransformTO<\/strong>, a strategy we\u2019ll explore in more detail on <a href=\"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\">toronto-name<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3f869637a8a\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3f869637a8a\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/eternal-4946-torontos-fight-against-climate-change\/#TransformTO_A_Roadmap_to_Net_Zero\" >TransformTO: A Roadmap to Net Zero<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/eternal-4946-torontos-fight-against-climate-change\/#Greener_Transit_Cleaner_Air\" >Greener Transit, Cleaner Air<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/eternal-4946-torontos-fight-against-climate-change\/#People_as_the_Driving_Force_Programs_and_Initiatives\" >People as the Driving Force: Programs and Initiatives<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/eternal-4946-torontos-fight-against-climate-change\/#Building_Resilience_Infrastructure_for_a_Changing_Climate\" >Building Resilience: Infrastructure for a Changing Climate<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/eternal-4946-torontos-fight-against-climate-change\/#Economy_and_Education\" >Economy and Education<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"TransformTO_A_Roadmap_to_Net_Zero\"><\/span>TransformTO: A Roadmap to Net Zero<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2017, Toronto City Council adopted <strong>TransformTO<\/strong>, a climate plan with a bold goal: reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. That\u2019s ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement timeline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make this possible, policymakers and experts set out clear milestones. By 2025, emissions were to be cut by 45% from 1990 levels, and by 2030, by 65%. Official data shows that by 2020, Toronto\u2019s residents and businesses had already reduced emissions by 41% \u2014 hitting the interim target years earlier than expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"625\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4927\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-3.png 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-3-300x156.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-3-768x400.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-3-696x363.png 696w, https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-3-1068x556.png 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Buildings became a major focus, as they account for nearly half of the city\u2019s carbon footprint. That\u2019s why the city introduced the <strong>Toronto Green Standard<\/strong> \u2014 a set of requirements for all new residential and commercial developments. Architects and builders following these rules are now designing energy-efficient buildings with modern insulation, ventilation systems, and lower energy needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Greener_Transit_Cleaner_Air\"><\/span>Greener Transit, Cleaner Air<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Transportation is another key piece of the plan. Working with the <strong>Toronto Transit Commission<\/strong>, the city began transitioning its public transit fleet to electric buses. Dozens are already on the road, and by 2040, the entire fleet is expected to be electric. This will significantly cut emissions and improve air quality for Torontonians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, new charging stations are being installed across the city to make electric transit more practical. These changes are powered by thousands of people \u2014 city officials, engineers, activists, and residents. A big part of this effort comes from <strong>Community Hubs<\/strong>, local centres where residents can learn about energy efficiency, attend workshops, and share experiences on reducing household energy use. Through these hubs, the TransformTO strategy is turned into concrete, everyday actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"People_as_the_Driving_Force_Programs_and_Initiatives\"><\/span>People as the Driving Force: Programs and Initiatives<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Toronto\u2019s climate strategy doesn\u2019t rely only on city hall. Residents, grassroots groups, and community organizations play a <a href=\"https:\/\/toronto-future.com\/en\/eternal-13385-go-transit-the-experimental-system-that-transformed-toronto\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">crucial role<\/a>. To support them, the city launched the <strong>Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions<\/strong> program. Local residents receive training, resources, and small grants to run initiatives in their neighbourhoods. They host community meetings, promote energy efficiency, organize waste sorting, and help neighbours transition to renewable energy. In 2022 alone, dozens of \u201cchampions\u201d launched projects ranging from tree planting to eco-education campaigns in schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"605\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4947\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-5.png 1000w, https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-5-300x182.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-5-768x465.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-5-696x421.png 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Another tool is <strong>Climate Action Grants<\/strong>, which provide funding for individuals and nonprofits. Thanks to these grants, Toronto has seen new solar panels on community buildings, bike repair hubs, and even small-scale energy cooperatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Community organizations also play a big part. The <strong>Toronto Climate Action Network (TCAN)<\/strong> unites more than 30 groups that coordinate campaigns and share resources. Meanwhile, the <strong>Toronto Renewable Energy Cooperative (TREC)<\/strong> pioneered one of Canada\u2019s first urban wind turbines back in the early 2000s. That turbine still stands on the Lake Ontario shoreline today. Such grassroots efforts foster a culture of accountability, where seeing neighbours insulate their homes or install solar panels inspires others to join in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Building_Resilience_Infrastructure_for_a_Changing_Climate\"><\/span>Building Resilience: Infrastructure for a Changing Climate<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Toronto\u2019s climate strategy also means preparing for extreme weather. The city faces more intense storms, heat waves, and flooding risks. To protect residents, engineers and planners are reshaping infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the best-known projects is <strong>Corktown Common Park<\/strong>. On the surface, it\u2019s a vibrant green space in the Don Lands where people gather and relax. But beneath its hills lies a flood-protection berm that shields surrounding neighbourhoods from the Don River. This park blends recreation with cutting-edge safety design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1209\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-7.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4953\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-7.png 1209w, https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-7-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-7-768x508.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-7-696x461.png 696w, https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-7-1068x707.png 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1209px) 100vw, 1209px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Heat is another growing challenge. On hot days, temperatures often soar above 30\u00b0C, with asphalt and concrete making conditions worse. To help, the city opens <strong>Cooling Centres<\/strong> \u2014 safe indoor spaces where vulnerable residents can escape the heat. At the same time, more trees and greenery are being planted throughout the city to naturally lower urban temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Engineers are also using innovative solutions. One standout is <strong>Deep Lake Water Cooling<\/strong>, which has been running for more than a decade. The system draws cold water from deep in Lake Ontario and circulates it through downtown buildings, replacing energy-hungry air conditioners. Hundreds of offices and condos now use this method, significantly cutting electricity demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Economy_and_Education\"><\/span>Economy and Education<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Toronto\u2019s climate policy isn\u2019t just about the environment \u2014 it\u2019s about the economy too. The city has introduced a <strong>climate budget<\/strong>, a tool that measures how each major project affects emissions and helps direct investments into projects with the biggest impact, such as public transit expansion or building upgrades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Green energy is also driving economic growth. City reports show that investments in solar panels, wind turbines, and energy-efficient technologies are creating new jobs and spurring local businesses. Renewable energy is becoming cheaper, while healthcare costs related to air pollution are declining. In short, protecting the environment is both <strong>good for people and profitable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-8.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4956\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-8.png 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-8-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-8-768x480.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-8-696x435.png 696w, https:\/\/cdn.toronto.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/09\/image-8-1068x668.png 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Education is another key pillar. At the <strong>University of Toronto<\/strong>, the Climate Positive Energy School was launched to research renewable technologies and train the next generation of experts. Student initiatives are also making waves. For example, student activists successfully pushed the university to divest from fossil fuels \u2014 a symbolic but meaningful step that reflects the values of an engaged younger generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sources<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toronto.ca\/services-payments\/water-environment\/environmentally-friendly-city-initiatives\/transformto\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.toronto.ca\/services-payments\/water-environment\/environmentally-friendly-city-initiatives\/transformto<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/taf.ca\/project\/transformto\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/taf.ca\/project\/transformto<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toronto.ca\/legdocs\/mmis\/2025\/ttc\/bgrd\/backgroundfile-257225.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.toronto.ca\/legdocs\/mmis\/2025\/ttc\/bgrd\/backgroundfile-257225.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toronto.ca\/services-payments\/water-environment\/live-green-toronto\/neighbourhood-climate-action-champions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.toronto.ca\/services-payments\/water-environment\/live-green-toronto\/neighbourhood-climate-action-champions<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wired.com\/2014\/08\/a-gorgeous-park-designed-with-a-double-purpose-flood-protection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.wired.com\/2014\/08\/a-gorgeous-park-designed-with-a-double-purpose-flood-protection<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2024\/oct\/20\/university-toronto-financially-dissociate-fossil-fuels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2024\/oct\/20\/university-toronto-financially-dissociate-fossil-fuels<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/people-are-so-proud-of-this-how-river-and-lake-water-is-cooling-buildings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/people-are-so-proud-of-this-how-river-and-lake-water-is-cooling-buildings<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The climate is shifting faster than we can adapt. Summers are getting hotter, and sudden storms and floods are becoming more frequent. These changes hit big cities especially hard. But Toronto isn\u2019t standing still \u2014 the city is finding ways to respond. The local government has taken a systematic approach: cutting emissions, rebuilding infrastructure, engaging [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":348,"featured_media":4943,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[335],"tags":[2974,2979,2970,2977,2978,2976,2980,2972,2975,2971,2102,2844,2969,2973,2967],"moimportance":[33],"motype":[325],"moformat":[22],"class_list":{"0":"post-4946","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-innovations","8":"tag-climate-adaptation","9":"tag-climate-budget","10":"tag-climate-change-action","11":"tag-climate-strategy","12":"tag-community-initiatives","13":"tag-energy-efficient-buildings","14":"tag-environmental-education","15":"tag-green-energy","16":"tag-lake-ontario-cooling","17":"tag-net-zero-emissions","18":"tag-renewable-energy","19":"tag-sustainable-development","20":"tag-toronto-climate","21":"tag-toronto-e-buses","22":"tag-transformto-2","23":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory","24":"motype-eternal","25":"moformat-longrid-korotka"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4946","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/348"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4946"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4946\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4960,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4946\/revisions\/4960"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4943"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4946"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4946"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4946"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=4946"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=4946"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toronto.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=4946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}