Region of PeelRegion of PeelClimate Change StrategyClimate Change Strategy

A Collaborative ApproachA Collaborative ApproachApril 15, 2010 Climate Change Round Table Conference

Leilani Lee-Yates, MCIP, RPPPrincipal Planner

Planning Policy and Research Division

Immigration GrowthImmigration Growth

Source: 2006 Census Immigrant Status, Citizenship and Language Peel Data Centre

20051996 2010

Stage 1

Getting Started

Stage 2

Planning and Implementation

1996: First Region of Peel Official Plan

Environment First

Ecosystem Approach

Introduces “Sustainability”

2004:Liveable Peel Initiative

Long-term Planning (2050)

More Comprehensive (Multi-Departmental Research)

Introduces Sustainable Development Thinking

Community Outreach

Built Support for new sustainability policies in ROP

2007 - 2010: Peel Region Official Plan Review

(PROPR)

ROPA 20: Sustainability

Sustainability Theme for ROP

Direction for Corporate Sustainability Strategy

Direction for Climate Change Strategy

Peel’s Sustainability JourneyPeel’s Sustainability Journey

2000

Stage 3

Embedding Sustainability

2002: Regional Official Plan

Strategic Update (ROPSU) 2008 - 2011:

Corporate Sustainability & Climate Change

Direction for a Climate Change Direction for a Climate Change StrategyStrategy

• Strategic Plan

• Regional Official Plan Amendment 20

• Work with the Conservation Authorities

• Policy Direction at the Area Municipal Level

What is Climate Change?What is Climate Change?

• Any change in climate over time whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity that cause greenhouse gases (GHGs).

Sources of Local Emissions Sources of Local Emissions

Source: Ontario Emission Actual Percentages by GGAP Theme, 2008 National GHG Inventory

Mitigation and AdaptationMitigation and Adaptation

Sewer Upgrades

Heat Alert System

Vector Disease Eradication

Control of Invasive Species

Business Continuity Planning

And others…

Reduced Air Travel

Capture Landfill Gas

Expand Transit Use

Energy Conservation

Active Transportation

And others….

Green Roofs

Better Insulation

Permeable Pavement

Reduce Peak Demand

Expand Tree Canopy

And others…

AdaptationMitigation

Source: U of T and OPPI Professional Development Course: Preparing for Climate Change, October 2008.

How Will our Climate Change?How Will our Climate Change?Global Climate Model Projections for Region – 2050s

Scenario data from AR4 CGCM3 and HadCM3Changes relative to 1961-1990 Baseline Climate

Annual Mean Temps Warming

2.6 – 4.0 C

Annual Mean Precip Increasing

6-10%

What are the Risks?What are the Risks?

Top 3 risks in Ontario municipalities

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

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alit

ies Weather

Non-weather

Weather related

Source: Environment Canada

There are, and will be, local effectsThere are, and will be, local effects

Don Valley Flooding, Toronto(Photo Courtesy of Heather Auld, 2009) Tornado, Vaughan, 2009

Thunderstorm, Mississauga, 2009

Climate Change StrategyClimate Change Strategy

• Scope of Work:– Prepare a strategy for the geographic region of

Peel to mitigate and adapt to climate change; – Assist the partners with focusing their resources

for climate change work– Provide future direction for the partners; and– Implementation will be a shared responsibility

that will be carried out as appropriate by the partners.

Strategic Plan for Climate Change

Using the StrategyUsing the Strategy• The Strategy will be used:

– To show leadership on climate change issues;

– To highlight ongoing programs and initiatives;

– To demonstrate how existing programs and initiatives align with/ can be viewed as GHG mitigation and adaptation measures;

– To integrate concepts and compatible actions from various disciplines/sectors at the strategic planning level;

– As a roadmap for next steps;

– As a reference point for newly suggested activities;

– As a basis for future prioritization of climate change adaptation actions/initiatives; and

– As a living document to be updated as circumstances/approaches change.

Project Start – Up & Consultant Retention Summer/Fall 2009

Background Research – What is being done in & outside Peel?

Stakeholder Workshop #1 – Impacts & Actions

Current Actions & Identifying Gaps

Develop the Strategy

Stakeholder & Council Consultation Fall 2010

Finalize Strategy

Approvals/Adoption Early 2011

Information Information GatheringGathering

Strategic Strategic PlanningPlanning

Background ResearchBackground Research

Key Findings: A Changing ClimateKey Findings: A Changing Climate

• Increase to annual and seasonal temperatures

• Slight increase in annual and seasonal precipitation

• An increase in the number of extreme heat days

• Change to the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events

Caledon HillsProfessor’s Lake, Brampton

Potentially Affected SectorsPotentially Affected Sectors

Built Form

Energy

Transportation

Public Health

Agriculture

Industrial/ Commercial/Institutional

Human Services

Water Resources

Natural Heritage

Public Infrastructure

A Changing Climate: Potential A Changing Climate: Potential Local ImpactsLocal Impacts

• Potential risks for each of the four main climate impacts included:– Increased insurance costs– Disruptions to the transportation

of goods and people– Increased risk of respiratory (and

other) illness– Crop yield changes– Higher demand for energy for

cooling– Structural damage to homes,

businesses and infrastructure– Expanded infestations of invasive

species and tree pests – Social isolation

Pearson International Airport, Mississauga

Bringing it All TogetherBringing it All Together

Portions adapted from UNDP’s Monitoring Framework for Climate Change Adaptation, 2008

Policy/Planning

Capacity Building

Information Management

Investment

Practices

Technology

Other

Actions Actions (Mitigation & (Mitigation & Adaptation Adaptation Responses)Responses)

Disruption to business processes

Adverse human health effects

Risks to biodiversity

Damage to infrastructure and property

Imbalanced ecosystems

Changes to recreation patterns

Increased need for the provision of social services and health care

RisksRisksChanges in Changes in ClimateClimate

An increase to annual and seasonal temperatures

Slight increase in annual and seasonal precipitation

An increase in the number of extreme heat days.

Changes to the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events

SectorsSectors

Transportation

Public Health

Water Resources

Natural Heritage

Public Infrastructure

Key ConsiderationsKey Considerations

• The science, models and climate change adaptation literature will eventually become more regionally specific. However, current uncertainty is not a reason to delay.

• Given the uncertainties, there is an inherent need to be nimble and flexible during the development and implementation of the Strategy (i.e., implement adaptive management).

• Peel is a unique region with a growing (and aging) population, an extremely multicultural composition, unique physical attributes, a combination of rural and urban landscapes, and a distinct cultural heritage. The Strategy will need to be responsive to these unique attributes.

• The actions selected for the Strategy will need to reflect the sustainability framework – considering social, economic, environmental and cultural aspects of the geographic region of Peel.

Key Considerations (cont’d)Key Considerations (cont’d)

• The action plans will need to span the six partners’ realms of responsibility including instilling climate change into the governance structures, policy development and operational plans and programs.

• The literature has shown that the costs of not adapting will be greater than inaction in many cases. “No-regret” and “win-win” strategies are cost-effective.

• A monitoring framework will be further refined during the latter stages of this project.

• Communication about the intent, outcomes and cost of the Strategy are very important, especially with decision-makers.

Next Steps: Stakeholder InputNext Steps: Stakeholder Input

• www.peelregion.ca/climatechange

• Stakeholder Workshop #1– Dec. 1, 2009

• Stakeholder Workshop #2– TBD

• Public Open Houses– TBD

• Councils/Boards Workshop– TBD

Thank you!Thank you!

leilani.lee-yates@peelregion.caleilani.lee-yates@peelregion.caApril 15, 2010 Climate Change Round Table Conference

Leilani Lee-Yates, MCIP, RPPPrincipal Planner

Planning Policy and Research Division