The Sustainable Collingwood Plan outlines the Town’s vision, goals, and actions to build a resilient, environmentally responsible, and prosperous community. The plan identifies priorities for reducing emissions, protecting natural assets, supporting sustainable growth, improving energy efficiency, and strengthening community partnerships.
The Sustainable Collingwood Plan is the Town’s guide for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preparing for the impacts of climate change, and building a healthy, resilient community. The Plan supports Council’s 2019 Climate Crisis declaration and helps address community priorities such as affordability, infrastructure planning, environmental protection, economic growth, and quality of life.
Climate change is already affecting Collingwood through warmer temperatures, more frequent heatwaves, increased rainfall, stronger storms, and shorter winters. These changes can impact roads and infrastructure, public health, natural areas, and municipal finances. Taking action today will help reduce future costs, protect community assets, and strengthen our community for the future.
The Plan includes a community-wide goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% below 2019 levels by 2040. It was developed using local data, community input, and collaboration with residents, businesses, organizations, and regional partners. Community engagement identified strong support for practical climate actions that provide local benefits, including lower energy costs, improved transportation options, protect the natural environmental, and create healthier neighbourhods.
To achieve these goals, the Plan focuses on four strategic areas:
- Retrofit and Reimagine Our Buildings - Improve the performance of homes and buildings to reduce energy consumption
- Sustainable Transportation - Support cleaner transportation options and reduce transportation-related emissions
- Resilient Natural and Infrastructure Systems - Protect natural areas and ensure infrastructure can withstand the impacts of climate change
- Climate-Ready Local Economy and Community Culture - Support local businesses, organizations, and residents in adapting to a changing climate and building a strong, resilient community
These priorities are supported by ongoing climate education, awareness campaigns, and community programs that encourage shared responsibility and participation across the community.
By working together, Collingwood can reduce emissions, prepare for climate change impacts, protect the natural and built assets that make Collingwood unique, and create a more sustainable, connected, and prosperous future for current and future generations.
Community Progress through the Partners for Climate Protection Program
The Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) Program is a national network of over 500 municipalities with the shared goal of acting against climate change and reducing local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The PCP program provides a five-milestone framework, to guide municipalities through the creation, implementation, and monitoring of local climate action to achieve corporate and community GHG reduction targets.
The Town of Collingwood is currently on Community Milestone 4.
