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GTA CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVES TRCA

RPCO GTA Caucus June 19, 2009

Chandra Sharma, MCIP RPPWatershed Specialist

Focus of Presentation

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Regional Climate Change Issue

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TRCA Climate Change Initiatives

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Gaps

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Collaborative Actions

Climate Models Project Global Climate Warming of 1.4 –

5.8°C by 2100

IPCC, 2001

Presenter�

Presentation Notes�

I would like to start with some CC issues that impact municipal planning initiatives So what is in store for us? This slide shows how stable global temperatures were for many centuries, but also what is happening and can be expected to happen by the year 2100. The IPCC developed a new series of greenhouse gas emission scenarios based on different views of how society and the economy might evolve over the next century. They include such factors as technological change and population growth, but do not include any climate change mitigation policies or measures. The emissions can be translated into atmospheric concentrations and this information fed into climate models to produce temperature changes. In all cases, fossil fuel emissions continue to grow and will continue to be the dominant influence on the climate. The full range of temperature change is between 1.4 and 5.8 oC. Most of the results of these models overlap around 3 oC. This increase is five times larger than we have seen over the last 100 years. It is likely to be larger than we have seen over the past 10,000 years. Mitigation actions will not alter this overall conclusion - they will only affect the rate at which change occurs. And, as the climate continues to change, more and more impacts will be felt, and the need to develop appropriate adaptation measures will continue to evolve. We need more than just Kyoto, and we will also need to adapt. The 2001 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change consensus is that the average global surface temperature is likely to increase 1.4 to 5.8 °C by 2100. This projected warming for 2100, even for the most optimistic estimate, is MUCH, MUCH larger than that observed in the past century, and is likely to be unprecedented in human history. While these changes may seem numerically modest, even a small change in average temperature can have a big impact. For example, when temperature was 5oC colder, Canada was covered with three kilometres of ice. �

2005 Toronto Flood Damage

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Up to 183 mm rainfall over a few hours: a 100+ year return period event overwhelming urban drainage systems

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Ontario’s costliest weather disaster: $500 million in insured losses

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Impacts included thousands of flooded basements, flooded interchanges, sink holes, erosion impacts to critical infrastructure and a large section of Finch Avenue washed away

Water management Issues: Increased Flood Risk

Biodiversity: Changes in Family Forest Diversity in Ontario under 2XCO2 Climate Warming

Current and Modelled Future

Family Forest Diversity Potential

Current

2 X CO2

Water Management Issues: Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystem Impacts

GHG Reduction for Canada -60% by 2050 (NRTEE)MITIGATION

Maximise sustainability and efficiency of CA Infrastructure/ Building retrofits/ Education

Natural HeritageProgram

Wind/Solar or Water Power Generation (dams)

TRCA Strategy/Approach: Framework

Presenter�


November 1999 Symposium on Climate Change and Watershed Management was held to broaden the awareness of local municipal and natural resource professionals about the need to identify and develop appropriate adaptive management techniques to deal with the impacts of climate change in the Toronto area. Joint TRCA, C-CAIRN November 3, 2005 Workshop on Climate Risks Related to Water Management Workshop and Adaptation into Municipal Policy and Programs: �Report and Presentations. NRCAN Workshop on Coastal Zone and Climate Change in Great Lakes, November 22, 2005. Integration of Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation into Municipal Policy and Programs: �A Focus on Water Management, Nov 2005 � Partnership studies with Environment Canada on water resources impacts (2002 – ongoing) Integration of climate change into watershed plans (2007) Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change: Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Action Plan for The Living City (2008) �

TRCA’s Climate Strategy

A proactive strategy that provides a business planning framework for integrating CC over the next 5 to 10 years under the eight existing service

themes of our Business Plan

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Ecology •

Watershed/Waterfront management •

Conservation Lands •

Planning and Design •

Cultural Heritage •

Sustainable Lifestyles•

Living City Campus-

Leadership •

Corporate Services

TRCA’s Approach to Mitigation and Adaptation

Mitigation•

Focus on conservation, eco-efficiencies and human health benefits.

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TRCA is showing leadership by reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) within its own operations.

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New partnerships to accelerate the knowledge and implementation of new technologies. i.e, Canada Green Building Council & LEED, STEP for LID and renewable energy.

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Increasing awareness through the Living City Campus and Education Programs.

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Reaching out to the community through several community transformation programs.

Presenter�


Within the Watersheds of the TRCA Climate Plan ….. �

TRCA’s Approach to Creating Adaptive Capacity in Watershed Management

Adaptation • CA’s are inherently in an adaptive management

business- Watershed Management.(Long range planning)

• Our adaptation approach is based on reducing harm to individuals and building resilient natural systems and watersheds.

• We have initiated work to identify climate risks to our communities and natural systems.

• Adaptation strategies will be implemented over a long period of time as our understanding of systems improves through watershed planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Climate Strategy -Priority Actions and Recommendations

MITIGATIONGREENING OUR OWN OPERATIONSPROMOTING A CULTURE OF CONSERVATION THROUGH MARKET TRANSFORMATION

ADAPTATION

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

REDUCING RISK TO OUR COMMUNITIES

BUILDING A RESILIENT NATURAL SYSTEM

PARTNERSHIPS/ FINANCIAL CAPACITY AND SELF SUFFICIENCYCONSERVATION CENTRE OF CLIMATE RESPONSE

MEASURING OUR PERFROMANCE

LIVING CITY REPORT CARD

Presenter�


GOING FORWARD ----Building on our existing programs and Action, TRCA’s climate Action Plan highlights key action and Directions to not only achieve our business plan objectives but also bolster our ability to support our communities and municipal partners in dealing with climate change. Some of these actions are … I will now highlight a few of these in details KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Regional IDF pilot study for southern Ontario Climate change modeling scenarios in watershed plans Analysis of historic GTA climate trends Review of current climate change adaptation practices in storm water and floodplain management REDUCING RISK TO OUR COMMUNITIES Erosion and Remedial works-Natural Hazard Control Flood management; Protection of flood vulnerable areas and enhanced early warning system�BUILDING A RESILIENT NATURAL SYSTEM Terrestrial and aquatic habitat impact study PARTNERSHIPS/ CAPACITY AND SELF SUFFICIENCY- York-TRCA –Regional Climate Change Collaborative and Modeling Unit GTA Climate Change Working Group MEASURING OUR PERFROMANCE Enhanced Regional Monitoring Program Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP) Collaboration between government, NGO, industry, private sector, and academic institutions to facilitate strategic and focused climate change researchCoordinate regional/national action for climate change adaptation and mitigation Living City Policies Community Design – Seaton ( town of Pickering) �

Mitigation:Community

Transformation

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Mayor’s Megawatt Challenge•

Greening Health Care

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Greening Retail•

Eco-Industrial/Business Zone (Pearson)

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The Living City Carbon Footprint Calculator (individual action through education )

Pearson Eco-Business Zone Opportunities

•Eco-Efficiency•Renewable Energy•Green Job Development•Resource Re-Utilizatization

Presenter�


Mayor’s Megawatt Challenge is targetted at area municipalities … 13 municipalities, 2,709 tonnes GHG reduction, $1,006,915 energy savings Greening Health Care 20 Toronto hospitals 9,600 GHG reduction $2,442,682 energy Savings Approx 60 hospitals in Ontario Greening Retail 10 major retailers Establish Canada’s largest Eco-Industrial Zone (12,000 ha) to encourage ICI Sector transformation: co- Efficiency (Clean-Tech), Pollution Prevention, Renewable Energy, Low-impact Development, Green Procurement, Transportation Management and Eco-Economic Development. 12,500 businesses Logistics/warehouses Food Processing Airport Related Aerospace 12,000+ hectares of industrial and commercial lands 355,000+ employed in the area Total electricity:7,203,000 MWh Total natural gas:46,447,000 GJ Estimated GHG:2,130,000 TeCO2 108,500,000 m3 of water consumed 1,900 ha building footprints 2,200 of roads 8,000 hectares�

Mitigation:Carbon

Sequestration (Forest)•

Largest public land owner in the GTA –

16,000 Hectares approx.

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Over 400,000 trees planted on an annual basis across TRCA’s jurisdiction.

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Carbon Forest Feasibility currently underway to establish a forestry-

based GHG project.

Climate Change Adaptation Initiatives at TRCA1. Regional IDF pilot study for southern Ontario

2. Climate change modeling scenarios in watershed plans

3. Analysis of historic GTA climate trends

5. Review of current climate change adaptation practices in storm water and floodplain management

6. Terrestrial and Aquatic habitat impact studyEngineers Canada Protocol- Infrastructure

Assessment

7.MOE - SWM Guidelines review

8.Ground and Surface Water Monitoring Network Review – MNR /CO

Presenter�


To Develop a regional approach to allow capture of data over a larger spatial area, working with EC Create a collaborative data inventory for long term assessment and maintenance of Regional Curves Define a protocol to ensure an adaptive approach to update and maintain the IDF Curves a) Canadian Global Circulation Model (CGCM2 A21) – “Warmer and wetter” b) Hadley Global Circulation Model (HADCM3 A1F1) – “More warmer, much more wetter” To determine if there have been trends in temperature and precipitation in GTA over the past several decades attributable to climate change Analysis of 30+ long-term Environment Canada weather station records Will examine trends in annual and seasonal precipitation and temperature, also frequency and intensity of extremes Protocols for data preparation and trend analysis from EC and IPCC To identify ways in which SWM practices are being adapted in other jurisdictions to potential future changes in climate: Actions by Canada, US and international municipalities and supporting agencies Literature review Survey of major Canadian municipalities �

Gaps in Knowledge and Understanding•

Local level understanding of climate impacts-

Great

Lakes?

• Data and technical support /modeling and downscaling capabilities and methodologies (standard downscaling procedures)

• Infrastructure related standard and guidelines to support appropriate adaptation measures (buildings, flood control structures, SWM infrastructure)

• Integration of science and policy is lacking

• Agency coordination ……

Presenter�


Major Gaps ..identified �

Collaborative ActionsRegional Climate Change Collaborative (York/TRCA)-to be located at the Proposed Conservation Centre of Climate Response

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Regional Modeling Unit Modeling Unit

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Mainstreaming Climate Adaptation –

Risk Based Approach Canadian Standard Association/York/TRCA

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Executive/decision makers training (proposed)

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Public-private sector partnerships/ Great Lake universities

Presenter�


Project is just starting to begin and will be housed within �

Collaborative Actions

..cont…

GTA Climate Change Working Group

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Collaborate on climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives by sharing information, resources and project outcomes, as well as undertaking cooperative projects when appropriate.

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Provide leadership to local municipalities and other agencies or

groups acting at a local level by providing information on climate change science, mitigation strategies, and adaptation planning, that is developed through the activities and contacts of the Steering Group.

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Advocate to other levels of government for their provision of improved scientific information and greater practical support of municipal climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Toronto Urban Climate Change Network-TUCCN

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Forum on infrastructure

Presenter�


discuss how we formed it (in cooperation with Toronto) because we realize that climate change issues and impacts will be the same across the GTA and that we can respond better if we collaborate rather than working separately. how much we have worked to stay connected to everything that is going on around climate change, Objective is to representing the interests of our GTA partners and making sure they have access to the latest knowledge and tools EARLY SUCCESSES -City of Toronto will include the broader GTA to the extent possible in their advanced climate modelling study -Climate change leads at all municipalities are now aware of one another and are communicating for ideas, for example on approaches preparing a municipal climate change strategy -Group is providing a forum to input on Environment Canada Toronto-oriented research based on TRCA contacts -Group members are all made aware of current status of climate modelling and science at Environment Canada and elsewhere based on TRCA and City of Toronto contacts York: Laura Atkins-Paul (and Wendy Kemp at next meeting) Peel: Leilani Lee-Yates and Kiran Ghai Toronto: David MacLeod and Christopher Morgan Durham: Nancy Rutherford and Jenna Dunlop Halton: Linda Axeford Hamilton: TBD �

Collaborative ActionsOntario Regional Adaptation Collaborative (RAC) 2009 2009 -- March 2012March 2012-- NRCan announced six Regional Adaptation NRCan announced six Regional Adaptation CollaborativesCollaboratives ((RACsRACs) )

across Canada. across Canada. Maximum of $4 million (minimum of $2 million) matching funds to Maximum of $4 million (minimum of $2 million) matching funds to each RAC. each RAC. Partners:Partners:•• Ontario MinistriesOntario Ministries

•• Ministry of the Environment (IEPD, DWMDMinistry of the Environment (IEPD, DWMD--SPPB)SPPB)•• Ministry of Natural Resources (NRMDMinistry of Natural Resources (NRMD--LWB, SIRDLWB, SIRD--ARDB)ARDB)•• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and HousingMinistry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

•• NonNon--Governmental OrganizationsGovernmental Organizations•• Clean Air Partnership (CAP)Clean Air Partnership (CAP)•• Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources (outOntario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources (out of Laurentian University) of Laurentian University) •• York University York University •• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority/ Conservation Ontario Toronto and Region Conservation Authority/ Conservation Ontario •• Pollution ProbePollution Probe

•• Private SectorPrivate Sector•• Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR)Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR)•• Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)

•• MunicipalityMunicipality•• Toronto Public Health Unit (TPHU)Toronto Public Health Unit (TPHU)

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Proposed Ontario RAC Proposed Ontario RAC InitiativesInitiatives

Weather and Water Information Gateway:Create a web-based integrated Provincial weather and water information discovery and access service to facilitate decision- making the community level..

Source ProtectionEnsure assessment reports and source protection plans for vulnerable communities in Ontario include climate change adaptation (e.g. potential water shortages) policies and data.

Building ResilienceDocument and make available best practices to retrofit existing homes to improve resilience to climate extremes. Information could be used to update provincial building code, municipal bylaws, current constructions practices, etc.

Public Health ToolsDevelop heat vulnerability assessment tool to enable public health units to deliver scarce resources during a heat event.

Sewer/Stormwater AssessmentDevelop validated vulnerability assessment tool for sewer and stormwater systems in light of climate change.

Urban ComponentBuild capacity through outreach and training with large urban communities (e.g. municipalities, public health units) across Ontario.

Rural/Northern ComponentBuild capacity through outreach and training with small, rural, agricultural, resource-based and Northern communities across Ontario.

Municipal Risk Assessment ToolsExpand and update municipal guide to assist municipalities to create risk- based vulnerability assessments.

Source: OCCIAR and MOE

Presenter�


Ontario Ministries Ministry of the Environment (IEPD, DWMD-SPPB) Ministry of Natural Resources (NRMD-LWB, SIRD-ARDB) Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Non-Governmental Organizations Clean Air Partnership (CAP) Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources (out of Laurentian University) York University Toronto Region Conservation Authority/ Conservation Ontario Pollution Probe Private Sector Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) Municipality Toronto Public Health Unit (TPHU) Urban �

Questions?

Documents

GTA CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVES TRCA › trcaca › app › uploads › ...Integration of climate change into watershed plans (2007) 䴀攀攀琀椀渀最 琀栀攀 䌀栀愀氀氀攀渀最攀

GTA CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVES TRCA › trcaca › app › uploads › ...Integration of climate change into watershed plans (2007) 䴀攀攀琀椀渀最琀栀攀䌀栀愀氀氀攀渀最攀