• Start year: 2011
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status: In operation

The Peel Climate Change Strategy was initiated in 2009, and finalized in 2011. This Strategy was built through a unique partnership between the Region, Partner Municipalities (including Caledon), and Conservation Authorities, who all have a role in implementing the Plan. The Strategy was developed in 3 phases (1) Summarizing potential Climate Change impacts and risks to the Region (2) A Mitigation Strategy that analyzes partner ghg inventories, summarizes mitigation best practices and recommends a baseline and target (3) Climate Change Strategy which contains a vision, goals, targets, actions and implementation priorities. The partners meet quarterly to discuss the Strategy’s progress.

• Start year: 2012
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status: Completed

The Town developed a Corporate Green Building Standard requiring that all future facilities and major renovations achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver designation (an international building accreditation program). The Town also requires additional non-LEED credits including alternative fuel vehicles, storm water design, water efficiency and enhanced commissioning to ensure environmentally sustainable building design principles through the planning, development, and lifecycle of all future facility construction and expansion projects. The Town built its first LEED Facility in 2012, an Ontario Provincial Police station, in keeping with many of the Standard's requirements.

• Start year: 2012
• Type: Technical/Infrastructure investment
• Status: Completed

Town Hall underwent a recommissionming exercise, which is a commissioning exercise to existing buildings. This exercise was initiated in response to the Town's Corporate Energy Management Plan, and the Mayors MegaWatt Challenge (A national challenge to reduce Town Hall Energy use). This process improved operational activities, reduced energy use and GHG emissions, and improved staff comfort and understanding of the building operations. The results from this initiative was so successful, the Town has initiated a similar exercise at another facility, Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness, where energy savings and improved building operations are already experienced.

• Start year: 2007
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status: Completed

With the adoption of the Environmental Progress Action Plan (EPAP) in 2005, the Town committed to regular biannual reporting on the progress of the Plan. The reporting was completed in 2007, 2009 and 2011. The 2011 Environmental Action Report concluded the 2005 EPAP, and outlined quantitative and qualitative results of the Town's environmental work. In 2014, the Town initiated an update of both strategic "green" plans: the EPAP and Corporate Energy Management Plan. The Town has committed again to regular reporting on the progress of both Plans.

• Start year: 2009
• Type: Technical/Infrastructure investment
• Status:

Initiated in 2008, the Green Development Program is unique amongst municipalities since it provides development charge discounts for pre-qualified green technologies or LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification at industrial or commercial buildings. This required the Town to amend its Development Charge By-Law. To date, the program has had one successful applicant, ProLogis Canada Inc. who achieved LEED-CS (Core and Shell) silver rating, amongst the first industrial buildings to achieve this rating in Canada.

• Start year: 2011
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status: In operation

As part of the Partners for Climate Protection program, the Town developed a Community Climate Change Plan. This Plan, driven by a Community Working Group, suggested actions that focused on ghg emissions reduction. Three public consultation sessions were held to gather input on the actions, which are Council endorsed. These actions focus on renewable energy, waste reduction, low impact development and sustainable agriculture. To assist with Plan implementation, the Town has recently hired a Climate Change Coordinator. This Plan received a Credit Valley Conservation Award of Distinction 2011 and was a finalist for the Ontario Power Authority Community Conservation Award.

• Start year: 2013
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status: Completed

The Town of Caledon adopted an outdoor Street Lighting Standard because of the continuous improvements to light emitting diode (LED) technology, and the varied economic, environmental and public safety benefits. This standard requires that all new streetlights put in the Town (Residential, Commercial and Industrial) have to use LED lighting technology. Additionally, the Town is currently looking into the business case of retrofitting all existing cobra head street lights to LED technology. There are also currently many facility LED street light and parking lot installations throughout the Town.

• Start year: 2009
• Type: Technical/Infrastructure investment
• Status: Completed

The Town installed a solar wall on one of its largest recreation facility energy users in 2010. This was partially funded with provincial and federal grants. The project was to provide the pool area with fresh solar heated air with the intent to reduce the facility's natural gas consumption.

• Start year: 2006
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status: Completed

In 2006, the Town was the first Ontario municipality to "bullfrog power" its Town Hall. This purchase helped the Town address its greenhouse gas reduction target. Town staff were challenged in generating Town Hall energy savings to help offset the premium associated with the green electricity purchase. The Town expanded its green electricity purchase in 2008 to permit all facilities in the Caledon East campus to be powered by zero-emission; low impact hydro and switched retailers- Direct Energy. The Town currently purchases green electricity for the Town's new LEED certified OPP detachment.

• Start year: 2011
• Type: Technical/Infrastructure investment
• Status: Completed

Town Council approved 3 solar microfit ground mount projects in 2011. These projects addressed key actions in both Corporate Environment and Energy Plans. They also tie into the Province's Feed-In-Tariff program and contract, which requires the Town to make all generated "green" electricity available to the electricity grid. The revenue generated through this program is re-invested into other Town energy conservation programs.

• Start year: 2006
• Type: Fiscal / Financial mechanism
• Status: In operation

The Town established the Community Green Fund in 2006 to assist local Caledon, not-for-profit or volunteer groups to leverage provincial, federal or other funds to carry out important environmental work. Community groups apply annually outlining their project scope and associated environmental benefits. As of 2013, the Town granted a total of $143, 312 supporting 32 community projects. Due to the program's success, the Town also established a School Green Fund program in 2012 for local schools. As of 2013, this program has funded approximately $20, 000 supporting 11 projects.

• Start year: 2013
• Type: Technical/Infrastructure investment
• Status: Completed

Lighting Retrofits with more efficient technologies was identified as an action under the Town’s Corporate Energy Management Plan. Two arena facilities had an older more energy intensive lighting system consisting of metal halides. The Town decided to retrofit these with more efficient T5 High output lights due to their increased energy efficiency, lifespan, and improved quality of light. The project experienced significant success in maintaining momentum in the Corporate Energy Management Plan, with many positive staff and patron comments regarding the improved light quality.

• Start year: 2014
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status: In operation

The Town recently updated both the Corporate Energy and Environmental Plans to challenge the Town against other municipal best practices and maintain the Town’s environmental leadership. While updating both plans, staff engaged over 80 staff and 40 residents in a world café style discussion to gain input on actions that should be included in both plans. Over 60 actions have been included in both plans to reduce the Town's environmental footprint, and help achieve the Town’s energy reduction target of 9% below 2012 levels by 2019. The Town has also committed to regular reporting on the progress of these plans.

• Start year: 2014
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status: Completed

The Town established “A Guide to Eco-Business Zone Planning & Development” in partnership with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. This document was designed to act as a staff guide to implement Eco-Business zones in new employment areas. These guidelines were the result of developer and staff workshops and extensive consultation with the TRCA’s review team, and Regional staff. The intent with this guide is to ensure the appropriate policies, procedures and standards are in place to create more sustainable lands.

• Start year: 2013
• Type: Policy/Strategies/Action Plans
• Status: In operation

The Peel Climate Change Partnership, made up of members from the Town of Caledon, cities of Brampton and Mississauga, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), and the Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), and Peel Region, has initiated a number of vulnerability assessments to increase our understanding of the impacts from climate change across a variety of sectors, including agriculture.  The agriculture vulnerability assessment, led by TRCA, is examining impacts of climate change on grain and oilseed production in Caledon.  The assessment is intended to facilitate a process of engagement with local farmers and decision makers to respond to the potential risks as well as leverage any opportunities.

• Start year: 2003
• Type: Public Participation/Stakeholder engagement
• Status: In operation

Since 2003, the Town of Caledon has run a tree seedling program for residents interested in planting native trees on their properties, encourage private reforestation, and reduce ghg emissions throughout Caledon. In 2013, the Town experienced a devastating ice storm that damaged a significant portion of the Town’s tree canopy. In response to this, the 2014 tree seedling program is focusing on replacing these trees, offering up to 10 replacement tree seedlings, free of cost. As of 2013, 153,824 tree seedlings were distributed to residents for planting.