Brampton’s Climate Action Plan Summary and Critique

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 Brampton’s Climate Action Plan Summary and Critique

Summary

In the 21st century, climate change has been one of the most challenging issues. It has

posed a major threat to the well-being of people and the sustainability of the environment. GHGs

are the leading cause of global warming shifting the climate patterns globally. Various parts of

the world are feeling the impact of climate change. For instance, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada,

these effects are becoming increasingly evident, with more frequent and severe precipitation,

snowfall, ice events, and windstorms. Temperature fluctuations and extremes are on the rise,

altering the migration patterns of various species. Additionally, there is a notable increase in the

prevalence of diseases, further highlighting the tangible consequences of climate change in the

region. In the next two decades, the projections of the climate change impacts will escalate

leading to extreme weather conditions, global warming, and shifting ecological patterns.

Brampton City Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and developed

“Brampton’s Community Energy and Emissions Reduction Plan (CEERP)” to mitigate climate

change. CEERP is an all-inclusive plan that drives various initiatives such as economic

development, employment, and innovation while achieving Brampton’s climate change and
environmental goals, as well as the related social benefits (Brampton Climate Change Action

Plan. Republic. (n.d.). The plan is a guideline for Brampton to mitigate and reduce GHGs,

improve the efficiency of energy, and create economic gains. The plan considers green measures

of generating energy, for example, wind turbines and solar panels are renewable sources of

energy. Brampton Energy Management recognizes the urgency of global warming in the city and

they are inspiring the community to use renewable sources of energy (David. laing, 2022).

Global warming is generally related to various types of emissions that are associated with human

activities, for example, the use of fossil fuels. The plan provides appropriate guidelines on how

the community and the energy production companies should join hands to reduce the costs of

energy to our environment.

The major components of CEERP involve people having a sustainable and healthy life,

saving and protecting water which is essential for human existence, reducing air pollution and

impacts on the air, and managing energy consumption and impacts on the environment. CEERP

has provided a sustainable strategic plan for the city's transportation growth and development for

over 25 years. The strategic plan includes a multi-modal transportation system that encourages

sustainability. The plan also consists of natural and environmental strategies to conserve, restore,

and enhance green spaces in the city (Hamilton, 2020). The strategies support the health of

natural environments and build green diversity in such spaces with a main focus on maximizing

the structure, function, and services, of the ecosystem. Another important component of CEERP

is the master plan for parks and recreation. According to Huang et al., 2022). The plan consists of

various recommendations for managing parks sustainably such as protecting the natural heritage

features of Brampton through diverse initiatives, for example, park spaces naturalization.

"Brampton's 2040 vision: Living the Mosaic" vision is another component included in the plan
that guides the people in what the community will become in the future. The vision is to build

various initiatives including jobs, transportation, neighborhood, health, jobs, culture,

transportation, and art.

Brampton's CEERP interim goal is to reduce the effects of GHG emissions by 20 percent

below 2010 by 2024 (Energy Manager, 2020). The city has taken various steps to cut GHG

emissions such as regulating corporate operations. It encourages organizations to utilize

sustainable growth and development strategies including compact, mixed-use, transit-oriented

development, and renewable energy systems in the city. Climate mitigation efforts focus on

reducing human-induced contributors to climate change, aiming to restrain future impacts. This

involves initiatives like minimizing the combustion of fossil fuels, which emit greenhouse gases

(GHGs) during energy production. While the merits of mitigating climate change unfold over

time, their success can significantly mitigate the severity of future climate impacts on

communities. Moreover, effective mitigation efforts can reduce the necessity and cost of

adaptation measures.

The plan adopts a community energy planning approach, focusing on the city’s objectives

and initiatives to combat climate change. The plan consists of effective strategies to foster

economic advantages, reduce GHG emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and increase the

prospects of the city being resilient against the climate change impacts. “Grow Green

Environmental Master Plan” fosters a more resilient and healthier environment, and a sustainable

community, refer to “Brampton’s 5-year energy, Emissions Management Plan. Municipal

World.” It outlines specific objectives, actions, and goals across various areas including people,

land, air, and water aimed at enhancing the city’s environmental sustainability. In particular, the

plan addresses concerns related to air quality by aiming to create a sustainable environment.
 Critique

Brampton's efforts in combating climate change have been on a downward trajectory.

The city management prioritizes budget reductions rather than on investing in measures to

“mitigate and adapt to climate change” and has failed to align its policies with its goals for

reducing GHG emissions.

Fig 1. Brampton fails to achieve many significant environmental sustainability targets

The 2019 declaration of climate emergency and its commitments are being threatened by

the expanding energy and waste facilities. Brampton's CEERP GHG emissions targets and

budget are weak as compared to the neighboring municipalities. Brampton’s CEERP emissions

reductions short-term target at 20 percent below 2010 levels by 2030. The long-term target at 80

percent by 2050.
 Fig 2. Brampton’s Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets (2019)

These targets are weak compared to the neighboring municipalities. Mississauga is

targeting a reduction of 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, with a longstanding aim of net

zero. Toronto on the other hand is targeting a 45 percent reduction below 1990 levels by 2025,

with an adjacent goal of 65 percent reduction by 2030, and a long-term goal of net zero by 2040

(Urban, 2021). Moreover, Brampton allocates less budget to mitigation measures as compared to

their neighbors. For example, in 2022, Brampton allocated 13 percent of its budget to directly

and indirectly support mitigation and adaptation efforts with more money allocated to

infrastructure and future development (Wright, 2022). Environmental projects were also

allocated less money. On the contrary, neighbors such as Mississauga allocated 57 percent of its

budget in 2023 to climate action.

 Fig 3. Brampton’s Budget Allocation for Climate Change Action

Despite the limited funds allocated by Brampton, there is a lack of transparency regarding

how these funds will be utilized for climate initiatives. “Grow Green Environmental Master Plan

(EMP)” is the community’s initial comprehensive strategy aimed at sustainability and reducing

its environmental impact, was introduced in 2014. The plan sets forth ambitious objectives for

addressing various environmental issues, involving both City Hall and the community. However,

the first update in 2020 revealed that the city was failing to attain many of the set goals. The city

only achieved only 3 out of 20 goals (Wright, 2022). The update lacked crucial information on

the reasons for these shortcomings and the prospects of the city aside from mentioning several

educational campaigns. There is more to be done for sustainable initiatives across the city.

Recently the Goreway plant proposed its expansion to the city to increase its production

by 40 megawatts creating an additional 48,000 tonnes of GHG emissions annually. The company

proposed to store energy using batteries. The leadership of leaders suggests that the proposal was

adopted with no municipal consultation (Robin MacLennan, 2020). Despite the Ford
government's assurance that no gas plant expansion would be permitted if a municipality

objected, this was not the case with the Portland gas plant in Toronto. This incident illustrated

the government's decision to expand the capacity for gas-powered electricity production. Under

the Ford administration, there has been a clear emphasis on natural gas in Ontario's energy policy

to bolster the capacity of the electricity grid (Energy Manager, 2020). Notably, the proportion of

oil and gas generation in the electricity grid has increased from 4 percent in 2017 to 10.4 percent

in 2022 under this energy policy. Natural gas generation is the primary source of methane. It is a

GHG that can cause more than 80 percent of warming than carbon dioxide once released into the

atmosphere for a period of 20 years (David. laing, 2022).

Fig 4. Brampton Methane Levels Rising

Huang et al. (2022) studies indicate that methane has contributed to approximately 25

percent of the Earth's warming since the onset of its widespread utilization during the industrial

age. Expansion of waste-burning facilities such as Emerald Energy will increase GHG emissions,

which will make it harder for Brampton to attain its emissions reduction targets. The plan should
include a climate adaptation plan. Climate adaptation involves implementing measures to adapt

to the challenges posed by a changing climate. Although climate adaptation falls outside the

scope of current Brampton's climate mitigation plan measures it offers benefits for adaptation as

well (Urban, 2021). However, recognizing the distinct focus required for adaptation, it is

important to develop a dedicated climate adaptation plan to support Brampton's climate action

plan. The holistic approach underscores the city's commitment to addressing both mitigation and

adaptation strategies to enhance its resilience to climate change.

Conclusion

Brampton's Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP) is a comprehensive policy and

strategy that gives the community a unique approach to examine, integrate, and guide its diverse

programs, services, policies, and plans to become more robust to the growing impacts of climate

change. The plan examines current programs and initiatives, strengths and weaknesses, other

opportunities and threats, and presents appropriate scientific solutions to increase the “City's

resilience” to the impacts of “climate change.” While primarily CREEP focused on mitigation

measures, it recognizes the interconnectedness of mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Consequently, certain actions within the plan may yield positive outcomes for both mitigation

and adaptation. Although the CEERP encompasses some elements that could support climate

adaptation. It is important to acknowledge that a separate adaptation plan is essential to support

Brampton's CREEP objectives, actions, and goals. This recognition underscores the importance

of addressing both mitigation and adaptation strategies comprehensively to enhance the city's

overall climate resilience and sustainability.

References
Brampton Climate Change Action Plan. Republic. (n.d.).

https://www.republicurbanism.com/home-old/brampton-climate-change-action-plan

Brampton's 5-year Energy, Emissions Management Plan. Municipal World. (n.d.).

https://www.municipalworld.com/press-releases/brampton-five-year-energy-emissions-

management-plan/

The city of Brampton endorses a community energy and emission reduction plan. Energy

Manager. (2020, October 28). https://www.energy-manager.ca/city-of-brampton-endorses-

community-energy-and-emission-reduction-plan/

Community Energy and Emissions Reduction Plan. (n.d.).

https://www.brampton.ca/EN/residents/GrowGreen/Pages/Community-Energy-and-

Emissions-Reduction-Plan.aspx

David. laing. (2022, October 18). Brampton Council approves Centre for Community Energy

Transformation. BEA. https://www.bramptonea.org/2022/02/05/brampton-council-

approves-centre-for-community-energy-transformation/

Hamilton, C. D. (2020, October 13). City of Brampton's climate plan - resilience 2. 1.

https://resilience2to1.com/2020/10/13/city-of-bramptons-climate-plan/

Huang, H., Wang, H., Hu, Y.-J., Li, C., & Wang, X. (2022). Optimal plan for energy

conservation and CO2 emissions reduction of Public Buildings considering users’

behavior: Case of China. Energy, 261, 125037.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.125037
Robin MacLennan, E. (2020, October 9). Brampton endorses community energy and emission

reduction plans. Ontario Construction News.

https://www.ontarioconstructionnews.com/brampton-endorses-community-energy-and-

emission-reduction-plan/

Urban, R. (2021, December 26). Climate action plans & strategies Canada 2021. energyhub.org.

https://www.energyhub.org/climate-action-plans/

Wright, D. V. (2022). Canada’s 2030 federal emissions reduction plan: A smorgasbord of

ambition, action, shortcomings, and plans to plan. SSRN Electronic Journal.

https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4141497