Climate Action Plan and Reports

The County of Brant is taking steps to reduce corporate and community GHG emissions, support sustainability, and help us cope with the changing climate.

In November 2024, the County of Brant’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) was developed which outlines a long-term roadmap that includes goals, targets, and actions to help the County and community mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The CAP outlines three guiding goals to focus the County’s climate action work:

  • Decreasing corporate and community emissions through reducing energy use, improving efficiency, and switching to cleaner sources of energy when suitable.
  • Fostering resiliency to adapt and cope with the impacts of climate change.
  • Promoting overall environmental sustainability.

It also includes 10 measurable targets:

  1. Reduce emissions from County owned and operated facilities by 40% by 2035 by the baseline year of 2013.
  2. Reduce emissions from County owned and operated facilities by 60% by 2040 by the baseline year of 2013.
  3. Offset 50% of electricity used at corporate facilities through generation of renewable energy by 2040.
  4. Replace a minimum of 10 gas- or diesel-powered vehicles with hybrid/EV alternatives by 2035.
  5. Add a minimum of 5 new EV charging stations in high priority areas throughout the County by 2030.
  6. Reduce solid waste disposed in the landfill by 20% from 2023 levels by 2035.
  7. Plant 55,000 trees throughout the County (public and private land) by 2035.
  8. Plant 110,000 trees throughout the County (public and private land) by 2045.
  9. Increase tree canopy on all County land to a minimum of 30% by 2050.
  10. Add more naturalized areas on County property by reducing mowing requirements by 5% by 2035.

For more information and details on all proposed actions, view the County of Brant Climate Action Plan.

Recent Accomplishments

In addition to developing these guiding plans, in recent years the County has taken strides to become more efficient and support our environment.

Actions like flooding mapping, planning for emergencies, and helping the community prepare.

We have started to replace light duty fleet with hybrid and EV options when financially viable and in alignment with the vehicle needs. 

Alongside Brant Municipal Enterprises (BME), the County has invested in adding solar projects throughout the County. These valuable projects offset electricity use and help support a greener electricity grid. 

We are retrofitting our facilities by improving insulation and building envelope, replacing windows, adding LED lighting, incorporating building automation systems to control heating/cooling, and more. The County is also designing new buildings to be energy efficient, like the new Wilkin Family Community Centre.

Tree planting and changing horticulture practices, are just some ways the County is taking a nature-based approach to respond to climate change. The County is also recognized as a Bee City.

Partners for Climate Protection 

The County of Brant has joined a nation-wide movement of municipalities dedicated to becoming leaders in local climate action.

The Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program guides municipalities through a five-step Milestone Framework to help us take action on climate change by reducing emissions in our municipality. From creating an inventory to setting and reaching our emissions reduction targets, each step moves us closer to achieving our climate goals.

Follow along the County of Brant’s journey to achieving all five milestones.

Stream Milestone 1: Creating an Inventory Milestone 2: Setting a target      Milestone 3: Developing a Plan Milestone 4: Implementing a Plan  Milestone 5: Monitoring the Impact
Corporate Stream In progress To submit To submit In progress Not started
Community Stream  In progress To submit To submit In progress Not started

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