Region of Peel Climate Change Strategy A Collaborative Approach April 15, 2010 Climate Change Round Table Conference Leilani Lee-Yates, MCIP, RPP Principal Planner Planning Policy and Research Division

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

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 : 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 Journey 2000 Stage 3 Embedding Sustainability 2002: Regional Official Plan Strategic Update (ROPSU) : Corporate Sustainability & Climate Change

Direction for a Climate Change Strategy Strategic Plan Regional Official Plan Amendment 20 Work with the Conservation Authorities Policy Direction at the Area Municipal Level

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

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

How Will our Climate Change? Global Climate Model Projections for Region – 2050s Scenario data from AR4 CGCM3 and HadCM3 Changes relative to Baseline Climate Annual Mean Temps Warming 2.6 – 4.0  C Annual Mean Precip Increasing 6-10%

What are the Risks? Source: Environment Canada

There are, and will be, local effects Don Valley Flooding, Toronto (Photo Courtesy of Heather Auld, 2009) Tornado, Vaughan, 2009 Thunderstorm, Mississauga, 2009

Climate 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 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 Gathering Strategic Planning

Background Research

Key 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 Hills Professor’s Lake, Brampton

Potentially Affected Sectors Built Form Energy Transportation Public Health Agriculture Industrial/ Commercial/ Institutional Human Services Water Resources Natural Heritage Public Infrastructure

A Changing Climate: Potential Local 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 Together Portions adapted from UNDP’s Monitoring Framework for Climate Change Adaptation, 2008 Policy/Planning Capacity Building Information Management Investment Practices Technology Other Actions (Mitigation & Adaptation 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 careRisks Changes in Climate 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 Sectors Transportation Public Health Water Resources Natural Heritage Public Infrastructure

Key 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) 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 Input Stakeholder Workshop #1 –Dec. 1, 2009 Stakeholder Workshop #2 –TBD Public Open Houses –TBD Councils/Boards Workshop –TBD

Thank you! April 15, 2010 Climate Change Round Table Conference Leilani Lee-Yates, MCIP, RPP Principal Planner Planning Policy and Research Division