Climate Change Mitigation

In 2017, City Council approved the City’s first Community Energy Plan (CEP) and Corporate Climate Action Plan. The CEP aims to create economic advantage, mitigate climate change, and improve energy performance. It strives to position Windsor as an energy centre of excellence that boasts efficient, innovative and reliable energy systems that contribute to the quality of life of residents and businesses.

The CEP set an ambitious and transformative greenhouse gas target of 40% below the 2014 baseline by 2041. Similarly, the corporate greenhouse gas target is also 40% below the 2014 baseline by 2041. These targets are currently in-line with the federal greenhouse gas reduction targets. However, the Government of Canada has also recently announced that it will develop a plan to set Canada on a path to achieve a prosperous net-zero emissions future by 2050.

Reaching the council-approved targets will require a reduction in yearly emissions of 760,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. This report outlines seven priority mitigation strategies that, if fully implemented, will achieve a reduction of 540,000 tonnes of CO2 annually or 71% of the target reductions. In addition, three additional strategies were recommended to mitigate future growth in emissions. Failing to address future growth emissions will further challenge the feasibility of meeting targets.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special report “Global Warming of 1.5°C” in 2018 outlined that emissions must decline by about 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. Due to the scale of changes required, each year mitigation actions are delayed, the feasibility of reaching targets is diminished. The IPCC also identifies that most adaptation needs will be lower if global warming is limited to 1.5°C compared to 2°C, therefore reinforcing the urgency of mitigation actions.

In 2014, the Windsor Community spent $842 million on energy. The Community Energy Plan estimated that without concerted effort the annual energy costs for the Community could rise to $1.8 billion (low price risk) and $3.1 billion (high price risk) per year in 2041.

Climate Change Adaptation

Since 2010, the City of Windsor has been actively implementing adaptation actions. Then in 2012, the City’s first Climate Change Adaptation Plan formally outlined actions to reduce the risk of extreme temperatures and precipitation. The successful implementation of the 2012 plan lead to the redevelopment of the Climate Change Adaptation plan in 2018/2019 (S20/2020).

This report outlines five priority adaptation actions to be completed in the short-term. These include notable projects such as the Sewer Master Plan and the Urban Forestry Master Plan.

Public Safety Canada estimates that for every dollar invested in climate change adaptation $3 to $5 is saved in recovery costs.