Community Mitigation

In 2023, the City of Peterborough launched its Source Separated Organics program to divert food waste from the landfill to the newly constructed Peterborough Organics Facility. Collecting residential food waste is estimated to lower GHG emissions created during the decomposition process by 4,700 metric tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030. Restaurants and multi-unit residential buildings are slated to join the composting program in 2026 and 2027. 

In 2017, six electric vehicle charging stations were installed to create the first network of electric vehicle charging stations in Peterborough. Since then, over 60 charging stations have been added throughout the community. The City of Peterborough has since installed several more public chargers, which can be found at the following locations:

• King Street Parking Garage (202 King St.)
• Simcoe Street Parking Garage (190 Simcoe St.)
• Del Crary Parking Lot (92 George St. N.)
• Memorial Centre Arena (151 Lansdowne St. W.)
• Riverview Park & Zoo (1300 Water St.)

Transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) helps reduce GHG emissions and other toxic pollutants emitted from combustion engines, from impacting the climate and the health of residents. However, EVs do have some GHG emissions associated with charging because of the carbon content of electricity generation within the Ontario electricity grid. The best time to refuel EVs to avoid peak grid electricity emissions in Ontario is overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Overnight charging is also the least expensive time to refuel. 

In 2021, Green Economy Peterborough (GEP) was launched to support local businesses and organizations in transitioning to become low-carbon enterprises. GEP is a membership-based hub that coaches members to identify, set, and achieve low-carbon and sustainability goals. New members of GEP are guided in creating a baseline of their businesses' current energy consumption and in developing a plan to achieve targeted reduction goals. Curbing commercial energy consumption through GEP is anticipated to lower community GHG emissions by 375 metric tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030. 

The City of Peterborough is undertaking the Electro-Mobility Study to identify new locations to install public electric vehicle charging stations. The Study is mapping out where existing charging stations are located to identify areas of the city that are commuter charging deserts. Once completed, the City will work to install stations to expand the public charging network.  

The City of Peterborough is working on improving the mitigation and resiliency features of the Main Library (345 Aylmer St. N.). A study is underway investigating the cost and impact of installing the following measures:

• Emergency backup power system
• Solar panels with emergency battery backup power system
• Wheelchair charging stations
• Exterior misting stations during extreme heat events 

These upgrades are intended to provide community members with a central building to shelter in during extreme weather events and during prolonged power outages. The charging receptacles for wheelchairs can help residents during power outages to keep devices charged and extend their mobility devices' range. The misting stations can offer residents access to cooling during extreme heat waves, reducing health risks.  

Upon completion of the study, recommendations will be submitted for consideration. 

An interactive solar panel map that identifies the solar potential of buildings in Peterborough was developed in partnership with Fleming College. Installing solar technologies like solar panels to generate electricity or solar thermal systems to heat water are excellent solutions to help lower your carbon footprint and actively tackle sources of climate change. Solar panels can also support property owners with decreased monthly electricity bills during peak time-of-use periods. 

Check out the map and learn if your building is ready for solar technologies today.

How to use the solar panel eligibility map:

1. Select and click your building on the map
2. A pop-up window will appear that lists:
   • Suitable rooftop area in square meters for installing solar technologies on your building
   • Usable annual solar radiation in megawatt-hours (MWh) for the rooftop
   • Estimated solar electricity produced (MWh) and avoided greenhouse gases associated with grid electricity in kilograms
   • Potential range of annual electricity cost savings from not purchasing grid electricity 
3. Next steps: 
   • After reviewing the preliminary capacity for solar for your building, contact a local solar installer for a refined building assessment 

The Climate Action at Home video series are focused on improving homeowners’ understanding of what should be considered when pursuing a home energy retrofit. Local expert Chris Magwood of the Endeavour Centre describes entry-level DIY renovations that a homeowner can undertake, which include helpful instructions on how to tackle insulation, water heaters, and draft-proofing projects. The Climate Action at Home series also describes what should be considered to achieve a net-zero energy home renovation.

How to improve your home's insulation

How to insulate your water heater

How to draft-proof your home

Things to consider for a net-zero home renovation

The City of Peterborough is increasing awareness of the vehicle idling by-law with the installation of 75 anti-idling signs around high-priority areas to limit exhaust from impacting vulnerable community members. Targeted areas include schools, daycares, playgrounds, parks, and health care facilities. Vehicle exhaust is toxic and can harm individuals with underlying health conditions, such as asthma. Idling also adds CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. 

What is vehicle idling?

Idling is the operation of a combustion vehicle's engine when parked or stopped in an active lane longer than two minutes. Traffic congestion is not included.

What kind of pollution is produced during vehicle idling?

A combustion vehicle's engine creates CO2, a greenhouse gas that is the primary driver of climate change. Idling a vehicle adds CO2 into the atmosphere regardless of the idling time allowed. Idling also generates volatile organic compounds (VOC), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other pollutants that can negatively impact local air quality and produce smog.  

How much greenhouse gas emissions are produced after 5 minutes of idling?

According to Climate Air Partnership, an average gasoline engine car idling for 5 minutes will emit approximately 0.115 kg CO2.

For example, if 12 cars idled for 5 minutes waiting to pick up students at a school would collectively generate 1.4 kg of CO2. Extending the 12-car idling scenario to include all 31 schools in Peterborough, 43.4 kg CO2 per school day and 217 kg CO2 per week would be emitted. Forecasting an entire school year under this scenario would create 8,463 kg CO2, or 8.4 metric tons of CO2. These emissions are equivalent to driving one car 40,500 km per year. 

1 L of gasoline = 2.3 kgCO2    1 minute = 0.023 kgCO2            5 minutes = 0.115 kgCO2

What are common health impacts caused by idling?

Vehicle emissions and idling can increase the health risk of vulnerable individuals like children or the elderly to respiratory illnesses, increased rates of adverse heart conditions, and lower resistance to infections. Limiting idling near schools, daycares, playgrounds, retirement homes, and health facilities can avoid undue harm to our most vulnerable community members.   

What does the Anti-idling By-law allow and prohibit?

In 2008, City Council passed By-Law 08-077 to Control the Idling of Vehicles in the City of Peterborough. The By-law prohibits the following:

• Idling a vehicle for longer than two minutes
• Idling a municipal vehicle longer than one minute

The By-law is exempt for the following situations:  

• Emergency vehicles
• Crossing guard vehicles
• A vehicle being repaired or serviced
• Vehicles in a drive-through
• Transit vehicles

Additionally, a vehicle is not considered to be idling if the vehicle is powering or operating auxiliary equipment essential to the vehicle's function.

Why are some corporate vehicles exempt?

Emergency and transit vehicles are not included within the By-law because those vehicles require the use of an engine to power auxiliary equipment or to maintain appropriate internal temperatures for heating or cooling for passengers or vehicle operators' well-being.

What can a driver do to avoid idling?

Avoiding situations that would encourage idling is an easy first step. By parking in the shade during the summer to limit the need to cool their vehicle or wearing winter clothing to limit the need to heat their vehicle, drivers will be more comfortable turning off their vehicle while they are stopped. If purchasing a vehicle, select one with Stop-Start technology that automatically turns off the engine, buy a hybrid electric, or fully electric car to eliminate idling altogether. Lastly, simply recognizing your idling habits and actively changing your behaviour by turning the key off.