Climate Change Action Plan
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.
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 PeterboroughPeterborough 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 inspiring individuals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Stayed tuned for more details!
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Renewable energy projects |
Landfill biogas generator![]() 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 generatorIn 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![]() |
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. 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
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 resilient. |
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 the effects of climate change. |
City's Climate Emergency Declaration |
On Monday, September 23, 2019, The City of Peterborough declared a climate emergency whereas:
Therefore be it resolved: That Council, pursuant to its authority under section 10 of the Municipal Act, 2001, hereby declares a climate emergency within the City of Peterborough for the purpose of naming, framing and deepening our commitment to protecting our community, its economy, and its eco systems from climate change, and,That staff, working with the PEAC, be requested to also report on the opportunities to:
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Update on Climate Change Action Plan donations |
The Community has donated $21,700 in support of Climate Change Action Plan-related activities. In March 2020, Council approved the recommendation to include an anti-idling initiative in the Transition 2050 (T2050) project – a project to target greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions through social mobilization at the neighbourhood level. The report outlined how the Climate Change donations fund will support developing and delivering this project. As this project was building off of work completed by GreenUP through the Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods project the intention was to contract GreenUP’s services to help develop and deliver materials and workshops with the two objectives:
The T2050 project was initially conceived as having an emphasis on local engagement and hosting in-person workshops to build grassroots buy in. With the realities brought about by the global pandemic the delivery of this project was significantly impacted. Once it became clear that the project could not involve neighbourhood group gatherings and close contact, the decision was made to redesign the home efficiency part of the program as an online video series, demonstrating improvements that can be made based on the type of home. In an effort to continue a focus on anti-idling as part of the broader Transition 2050 project, the immediate work was re-scoped into an anti-idling signage and information distribution program. The City continues to work with GreenUP on the home efficiency part of the program and is contracting its services to support material development and awareness building. This portion of the work is not being funded by the Climate Change donations fund. The anti-idling signage and information distribution program is focusing on school zones and recreation centres where signs can be installed on public property or in the public right of way and information can be distributed through the School Boards and facility operators. The Climate Change donations will fund the purchase and installation of these signs and educational information in keeping with the resolution that the monies be focused on supporting anti-idling. |