June 4, 2021
As World Environment Day approaches on June 5, the City of Mississauga has been recognized for its commitment to advancing climate change action. The City has received three achievement badges from the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM): the Mitigation Badge, Adaptation Badge and the Compliance Badge. GCoM’s achievement badges celebrate municipalities that have committed to becoming leaders in local climate action by transitioning to low-emission, climate resilient cities. The City will work to complete the Access to Energy Badge once guidance becomes available later this year. “I am proud that Mississauga is being recognized for its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate climate change impacts, and advance our Climate Change Action Plan,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Receiving these important achievement badges ahead of World Environment Day is timely, as many countries, communities and municipalities like Mississauga have committed to environmental actions that preserve, protect and restore our environment and green spaces. Climate change can’t be ignored – it is real. It negatively affects our communities, natural habitats and ecosystems, our health and livelihood – it makes us all vulnerable. Our time to act is now. It’s important that we do our part and make the right investments to protect the environment for present and future generations.”
The City’s Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) sets out ambitious goals to ultimately be a net-zero community, reduce 80 per cent of GHG emissions by 2050, and increase resilience and the city’s capacity to withstand and respond to current and future climate events. In addition to the CCAP, the City also has a 5 Year Energy Conservation Plan. The plan addresses greenhouse gas emissions and energy usage in City buildings.
“We’re one of a number of Canadian municipalities that has received the Mitigation Badge, Adaptation Badge and Compliance Badge as a result of our climate efforts. To receive these achievement badges, we completed an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in Mississauga, assessed climate risk and vulnerability, set targets and goals, and have the Climate Change Action Plan in place,” said Jodi Robillos, Director, Parks, Forestry and Environment. “The City’s plan is built around the central vision that Mississauga will be a low carbon and resilient community. To date, we’ve developed a Green Fleet and Equipment Policy, introduced hybrid-electric MiWay transit buses, planted trees through our One Million Trees program and converted streetlights to LED bulbs. We have also committed to reduce energy in all municipal City buildings by 25 per cent by 2030.”
Mississauga joined the GCoM in 2017. Mississauga is one of 47 Canadian municipalities who are part of the GCoM, joining other Canadian cities including Montreal, Oakville, Toronto and Vancouver.
Stay up–to-date on the CCAP by following @MiLivingGreen on Twitter or @SaugaGreen on Facebook. Learn more about the Climate Change Action Plan and the actions the City is taking to reduce GHGs.
Background:
The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy is an international alliance of cities and local governments with a shared long-term vision of promoting and supporting voluntary action to combat climate change and move to an inclusive, low emission and resilient society.
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