Greener Collingwood Plan

Understanding where emissions come from is the first step in reducing them. In 2022, the Town completed a baseline greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory to measure emissions from municipal operations, including buildings, facilities, fleet vehicles, street lighting, and waste management activities.

The inventory established 2019 as the baseline year, providing a clear picture of the Town's carbon footprint and identifying the largest sources of emissions. This information helps the Town set realistic reduction targets, prioritize actions, and track progress over time.

By creating a baseline inventory, the Town established a foundation for informed decision-making and evidence-based climate action. The inventory also allows the Town to measure the effectiveness of emissions reduction initiatives and report transparently on progress toward its climate goals.

Why it matters: You can't manage what you don't measure. Establishing a baseline ensures the Town can accurately track emissions reductions and demonstrate progress toward a more sustainable future.

In 2023, Council adopted a target to reduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30% below 2019 levels by 2030. This target demonstrates the Town's commitment to reducing its environmental impact, improving energy efficiency, and supporting broader climate goals.

The target provides a benchmark for evaluating municipal projects, investments, and operational decisions. It also helps prioritize actions that deliver the greatest emissions reductions while improving the efficiency and sustainability of Town services.

Why it matters: Setting a reduction target creates accountability, provides direction for climate action, and enables the Town to measure and track progress over time.

With a baseline inventory and emissions reduction target in place, the Town developed the Greener Collingwood Corporate Climate Change Action Plan to identify the actions needed to achieve its climate goals. The Plan was approved by Council in 2023 and serves as the Town's climate change mitigation framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from municipal operations.

The Plan outlines 19 actions across five focus areas: buildings and facilities, fleet and transportation, waste management, natural environment and biodiversity, and corporate culture and leadership. These actions focus on improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions, integrating sustainability into decision-making, and demonstrating environmental leadership within the region.

The Greener Collingwood Plan provides a clear path forward for implementing emissions reduction initiatives, measuring progress, and ensuring climate considerations are incorporated into municipal planning and operations.

Why it matters: The Action Plan turns climate commitments into action by identifying practical steps the Town can take to reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and support a more sustainable future.

With the Greener Collingwood Plan in place, the Town is working to implement the actions identified in the Plan and integrate climate considerations into municipal operations.

The Town takes a phased approach to implementation, prioritizing actions based on their potential environmental benefits, cost-effectiveness, available funding opportunities, and alignment with corporate priorities. Progress is achieved through collaboration across departments and by incorporating climate considerations into everyday decisions.

Monitoring and reporting are essential to ensuring the Town remains on track to achieve its climate goals. By measuring results and reporting on progress, the Town can identify successes, address challenges, and adjust priorities as needed. Ongoing monitoring also supports transparency and accountability while helping inform future decisions and investments.

The Town of Collingwood supports electric vehicle (EV) use by providing public charging stations at convenient locations throughout the community. 

Public EV charging stations are available at: 

• Pine Street Parking Lot (28 Second St.) - 4 x Level 2 chargers, 2 x Level 3 chargers
• Ste. Marie Street Parking Lot (adjacent to the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena) - 2 x Level 2 chargers, 2 x Level 3 chargers
• Curling Club Parking Lot (250 Hume St.) - 4 x Level 2 chargers
• Central Park Arena Parking Lot (85 Patterson St.) - 4 x Level 2 chargers

Please note: Parking is included in the charging cost while an EV is actively charging.

This network of public charging stations helps support cleaner transportation options and contributes to Collingwood's climate action and sustainability goals.

Town of Collingwood owns 7 hybrid SUVs and 3 electric pickup trucks as part of its efforts to lower energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas production. In addition to on-road vehicles, the Town has also invested in 3 electric ice resurfacers, and 1 electric riding lawn mower.

The Town will continue to prioritize the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles when replacing fleet vehicles, where practical and cost- effective. This supports the Town’s goal of reducing operational greenhouse gas emissions. As part of the fleet vehicle replacement policy, the Town evaluates the total life-cycle costs of light-duty vehicles. Electric and hybrid vehicles are considered whenever they meet operational needs.

We acknowledge that expanding the electric fleet will increase the amount of electricity consumed at some facilities. However, electric vehicles play a significant role in reducing the Town's overall corporate GHG emission reduction targets.

The Town of Collingwood uses by-laws, policies and programs to support climate action and environmental sustainability.

Long Grass & Nuisance Weeds By-law

The Town's Long Grass and Nuisance Weeds By-law supports sustainability by encouraging environmentally responsible landscaping practices while maintaining community health, safety, and property standards. The by-law recognizes the value of gardens and naturalized areas, which can support pollinators and biodiversity, improve soil health, and reduce the need for frequent mowing and maintenance. It also establishes clear standards for managing grass, weeds, and boulevards across the community.

Long Grass & Nuisance Weeds By-Law

Water Conservation

The Town of Collingwood promotes responsible water use to help conserve water resources, reduce demand on municipal infrastructure, and support long-term environmental sustainability. 

Under the Town's Water Use By-Law, outdoor water use is permitted year-round based on street address numbering: 

• Properties with odd-numbered addresses may use municipal water outdoors on odd-numbered days of the month.
• Properties with even-numbered addresses may use municipal water outdoors on even-numbered days of the month.

These water conservation measures help ensure the sustainable use of municipal water resources and support the community's environmental stewardship goals. 

Water By-Law

Anti-Idling By-Law

The Town's Idling Control By-law helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and decrease unnecessary fuel consumption.

Anti-Idling Control By-Law  Anti-Idling Control By-Law Amendment