Climate Change Action Plan

Cenotaph

The City of Peterborough is a partner in the Greater Peterborough Area Climate Change Action Plan, which includes targets and recommends actions for each of the partners.

We are committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2031.

For the City, our community produced 349,743 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year based on the 2011 baseline year. A 30% reduction will reduce our emissions to 244,820 tonnes per year.

For our municipal government, our baseline year emissions were 15,129 tonnes in 2011 and a 30% reduction will bring it down to 10,590 tonnes a year.

You can find more information on our targets and actions in the Climate Change Action Plan chapter for the City.

We are accepting donations in support of the Climate Change Action Plan.

Donate online

Climate Adaptation Plan
 Greening Cities Operations

Find out about some of the action the City of Peterborough has completed to become a more sustainable!

Green Economy Hub Peterborough

Peterborough is developing a Green Economy Hub for local businesses, organizations. The Green  Hub will help agencies combat climate change by encouraging the use of responsible energy tracking and reporting, as well as insipring individuals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Stayed tuned for more details! 

Image of electric vehicle chraging station located at Lansdowne place mall in Peterborough, Ontario. Electric vehicle charging stations

In partnership with Peterborough Utilities Inc., the City of Peterborough installed electric vehicle charging stations at the Riverview Park & Zoo, Lansdowne Place Mall, King Street Parking Garage, and the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

  • Riverview park & zoo – a level 2 station
  • Lansdowne Place mall – a level 2 & level 3 station
  • King Street parking garage – two level 2 stations
  • Memorial Centre – a level 2 station

Active transportation

Riding your bike is now easier! By 2018, the City has invested in more than 70 kilometers of cycling lanes and multi-use trails. Support active transportation, improve your own physical health, and reduce emissions by getting on the trails. 

City wide streetlight projects

In the fall of 2018, we participated in the SaveONEnergy Retrofit program to retrofit 7,205 streetlights to adaptive LEDs. This project is estimated to generate an energy savings of 4,944,930.6 kWh which has reduced the City’s streetlight energy consumption by 80%. This retrofit savings is the equivalent energy used by 858 homes annually.

Fuel switching at City arenas

By fall of 2019, all gasoline powered ice edgers at the City arenas will have been replaced with electric ice edgers.  Powered by a rechargeable battery, the edger is totally pollution-free and environmentally friendly, helping to reduce our greenhouse gases! 

Replace your toilet with an added incentive

We offer a $50 rebate program for homeowners to install low-flow toilets. Save money on your water bill by switching to a low-flow toilet. Complete our online rebate application form to receive your $50 rebate.

Solar parking meters

Did you notice the solar powered pay and display parking meters in the downtown? The machines run independently by solar power, reducing the city’s energy consumption as well as simplifying snow removal from the sidewalks. Just another sustainable achievement by the City of Peterborough! 

Public transit

Public transit ridership increased significantly, by 18% in 2018. It is estimated that just over 11 million vehicle-kilometers of travel has been avoided resulting in just over 2,000 tonnes of GHG emissions avoided. 
 Renewable energy projects

Landfill biogas generator

Image of the sign for the land fill gas facility located on Bensfort Rd

In 2013, Peterborough Utilities Inc. constructed a biogas generator at the Peterborough Landfill Site. Methane, produced from decomposing waste, is captured through a network of pipes placed in the waste and delivered to the biogas digester for combustion. In 2018, the facility produced 4,188,715 kilowatt hours of electricity, which is the equivalent energy used by 727 homes annually.

Wastewater biogas generator

Image of the bio gas engine inside the waste water treatment plant facility.

In August 2016, Peterborough Utilities Inc. constructed a 380 kilowatt combined heat and power facility at the City of Peterborough’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. The facility uses methane gas produced from the waste in a biogas generator. In 2018, the facility produced 2,197,914 kilowatt hours of electricity, which is the equivalent energy used by 381 homes annually.

Kinsmen solar project

Ariel image of the solar panels mounted on top of the Kinsmen Civic Centre.In August 2016, Peterborough Utilities Inc. installed 1,544 solar panel in the roof of the Kinsmen Civic Arena. In 2018 the project generated 535,781 kilowatt hours of renewable energy which is the equivalent energy used by 92 homes annually.
 Phantom power
 

Phantom Power, also known as stand-by power, is the power consumed by an appliance or device when not in use. Common examples include television sets, computers, and cordless telephones. Most home electronics use 0.5 to over 25 watts of phantom power which accounts for to 10% of all electricity used in a Canadian home. Bar graph of phantom power

Photo description: Bar graph displaying appliances and devices active energy consumption and stand-by / off mode energy consumption.

Top 10 tips to fight phantom power

  1. Plug electronic devices into power bars with timers – plug electronic devices into power bards with timers to shut them off automatically.
  2. Group Appliances & Electronics – Group appliances & electronics that are used together by plugging them into the same power bar (i.e. coffee maker & toaster, Tv & game console, computer, monitor & printer, etc)
  3. Unplug Cellphone & Table Chargers – unplug cell phone & tablet chargers once devices have finished charging. Up to 50% of the electricity they draw is lost as heat.
  4. Renovating or Building New – consider installing switched outlets to turn off a group of electronics with the simple flick of a switch.
  5. Disable Computer Screen Savers – Disable Computer screen savers, as they can use up to twice as much energy. Instead, activate “sleep” mode or unplug the computer entirely.
  6. Energy Star Label – When purchasing home electronics, look for products certified with the Energy Star label. They use less energy & typically have built in power saving features.
  7. Unplug Hair Dryers, Curling Irons, or Electric Shavers – In the bathroom, unplugging hair dryers, curling irons or electric shavers when not in use – it is much safer & you will save energy.
  8. Energy Star Certified PVR – if you use a personal video recorder (PVR) check to see if cable provider offers an Energy Star certified model. Typically, 70% of a PVR energy is consumed in standby mode, so it is worth the upgrade.
  9. Plug coffee makers into power bars with timers – plug coffee makers and other small kitchen appliances into power bars with timers so they are only on during hours you typically use them.
  10. Unplug vacuums, power tools & other appliances – unplug vacuums, power tools & other appliances from chargers once they have finished charging.

References

Hydro One. (2019, August 21). Saving Money & Energy: Phantom Power. Retrieved from Hydro One: https://www.hydroone.com/saving-money-and-energy/residential/tips-and-tools/phantom-power
 Targets and actions

The City of Peterborough is undertaking both adaptation and mitigation actions to become more resilent.  

Building climate resilience graphic
 How You Can Make a Difference! 
Below are some helpful tips and action you can take to reduce your overall energy consumption and emissions. Check out each category and see what works best for you, remember every small action helps with the greater picture of reducing th eeffects of climate change.