surplus in the 2019 utilities/energy budget. This surplus will be credited to the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund (BSR). As such, Administration is requesting that $150,000 from the BSR be directed to the new Climate Change Reserve Fund to help fund mitigation actions in 2020. Administration will seek to leverage these dollars through grant or partnership opportunities. In order to ensure that we can act quickly in seeking grants and implementing priority initiatives, Administration is recommending that it be authorized to access funding in this reserve though Delegation of Authority reports to the CAO. Approvals would be restricted to initiatives which broadly aim to achieve the goals discussed in this report; all such DOA approvals would be reported to Council in the normal semi annual report on approvals made through the DOA process.

Administration will continue to monitor for applicable grant opportunities and has requested authority from Council to apply for grant funding to support climate initiatives, contingent upon any matching funding, if needed, being available for immediate use. Administration will provide notification to Council of any successful grant applications at an appropriate time.

Though this report outlines the immediate next steps to accelerate Climate Action, it is by no way an exhaustive list of actions that will be required over the next decade to meet current emissions reduction targets, build a resilient community or meet the IPCC recommendations to keep global average temperature increase to 1.5°C. The CEP recognized that complete implementation of the 16 strategies identified in the plan will fall short of achieving the current emissions target. Developing a pathway to carbon neutrality, as recommended by the IPCC, proposed by the Government of Canada and adopted by many municipalities, will require the actions well beyond those outlined in the CEP. These measures will no doubt require additional future funding allocations.

Consultations:

Conclusion:

The climate change emergency declaration speaks to the urgency for climate action. In response, this report proposes an ambitious and aspirational pathway towards reaching the current emissions target of 40% below 2014 levels by 2041 as well as prioritizing adaptation actions required to build climate resiliency. The City of Windsor is well positioned to take quick action as robust climate change mitigation and adaptation plans are already in place and next steps are known.

However, it is noted that reaching mitigation targets and adaptation objectives will not be easy. In addition to a strong Council, corporate, and community focus on prioritizing climate change mitigating measures, dedicated and sustainable resources (funding and staffing) are required to maintain and accelerate climate action within the Corporation and the Community.