What to know
- Toronto’s latest emissions inventory shows the city is behind on all major TransformTO targets, with emissions rising one per cent in 2023 and the 2025 goal now out of reach.
- City officials say ambitious goals still drive progress, highlighting ongoing investments in transit electrification, EV charging, cycling infrastructure, and net-zero public buildings.
- Residents can help cut emissions by choosing alternatives to single-passenger trips, exploring electric vehicles, and making their homes more energy efficient.
A City of Toronto official warns that the city will unlikely hit its 2040 climate goals, but is sharing impactful tips that residents can implement now for a greener future.
In 2021, Toronto adopted its TransformTO Net Zero Strategy, which includes the ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2040. The strategy also includes other gradual targets, including reducing emissions to 45 per cent of 1990 levels by 2025, and 65 per cent by 2030.
As the end of the year nears, Executive Director for the City’s Environment, Climate and Forestry division James Nowlan says it is unlikely the city might meet any of the targets, considering results from its last progress report in 2023.
The City of Toronto’s 2023 Sector-Based Emissions Inventory (SBEI) revealed that greenhouse gas emissions have increased by one per cent in 2023 compared to 2022, representing a 35-per cent reduction from 1990 levels, still 10 per cent away from the 2025 goal.
“We were going to be close to the goal, but we’re likely to be a bit over when we get to 2025. Lots of factors go into that, but I think we’ll be kind of close to the goal, but we’ll likely miss that one,” Nowlan told Now Toronto on Friday.
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On the other hand, the city official says missing the targets doesn’t mean the city isn’t making progress and stressed the importance of taking action.
“It’s important to have an ambitious goal, because without having an ambitious goal, then you’re not going to take the necessary actions to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.
“If we don’t get there, that’s not a failure. It’s how close we get, it’s the actions we take to get there, because everything’s going to matter. So, the more we do and the sooner we do, the better it is for the climate.”
Meanwhile, Canada is also at risk of not meeting its climate targets, after experts at the Canadian Climate Institute (CCI) warned that the country is not on track to hit its 2030 goal.
CITY LEADING INITIATIVES TO REDUCE EMISSIONS
Despite failing to meet the upcoming targets, Nowlan says the city is currently leading a series of initiatives to advance its emission reduction efforts.
Firstly, Nowlan highlights that the city is investing in transit projects to drive more people into taking public transit, which would reduce emissions by limiting the number of vehicles on the road. In addition, the city is also investing in adding more electric vehicles, which would make the overall public transit system cleaner.
“This is not something that happens overnight, but as older buses retire, they’ll begin to be replaced more and more with fully-electric buses. And that really makes a difference,” he said. “We’re not only able to offer other alternatives to driving, we’re offering clean alternatives to driving. So, that’s really key.”
Although the city had some challenges expanding bike lines, after the Ontario government passed a controversial plan to tear up bike lanes in Toronto as part of its 2025 budget earlier this year, Nowlan says the city has also made some progress with bike lane investments.
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On Thursday, the city proposed a plan to install more than 20 kilometres of new bike lanes that could still comply with the province’s recently-passed legislation and will be voted on by city council next week.
Nowlan says the city is also investing in resources and incentives to help more Torontonians who drive to transition to electric vehicles, including adding 500 public charging ports across the city, and providing financial incentives.
Other city efforts also include transitioning its buildings into net zero, an effort that involves investing in clean energy and heating.
“We have a net zero day care now. We have near zero community centers. We’re building low carbon communities, for example, around the Etobicoke Civic Centre that will be supported by district energy. So, a lot of work in terms of creating those first of kind, net zero projects in the city and in the city buildings that we hope will become ways so that others can do that.”
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HOW CAN RESIDENTS DO THEIR PART?
Although the city currently leads a series of efforts to reduce emissions, Nowlan explains that Torontonians can also make changes in their daily routines which could have an impact on the environment.
“I get this question sometimes in the context of ‘Canada’s really small in comparison to the world, Toronto is really small in comparison to Canada, I’m one individual,’ and I said, ‘If we all looked at it from that perspective, then no one would do anything,’” he explained. “Part of climate action is recognizing that every contribution matters when it comes to the climate.”
Avoid single-passenger vehicles whenever possible
Nowlan says residents’ personal climate impact resides on the day-to-day choices, including their commute.
In order to reduce emissions, residents could start by seeking alternatives to taking their personal vehicles whenever possible. These alternatives could include taking public transportation, cycling, or walking.
Consider an electric vehicle
For those who need a personal vehicle to move around, Nowlan suggests they consider an electric vehicle when looking for a new car.
To help residents explore this option, the City of Toronto offers a series of resources for EV, including helpful information, public EV charging, funding for charging stations, and even incentives of up to $5,000 for residents who make the change.
“There’s a lot of misconceptions around electric cars. People often think they drive a lot more than they do, and ‘Will I be able to actually do everything I do now with an electric vehicle? There’s a lot of information out there to help people understand what that looks like and how it can fit into their lifestyle, smart commuting, all of those types of things,” Nowlan added.
Make your building sustainable
For those who own their own houses or buildings, Nowlan says there are smaller changes that can reduce the emissions on those buildings, including considering clean energy alternatives, and replacing old heat pumps for more sustainable options.
“Especially if they’re coming up to the end of life, you’re going to eventually have to replace it at some point in time. So, starting to think about when that time is, it’s energy efficiency appliances and lighting…There’s lots of different things you do, and we have lots of programs that can help people to do that.”
The City of Toronto also leads a Home Energy Loan Program, which offers low-interest loans to Torontonians looking into adopting sustainable technologies.
Take part in local initiatives
Those wanting to get involved beyond their daily habits can also participate in several sustainable projects and initiatives offered by the city and environmental groups.
The city provides a series of incentives for neighbourhood-led climate initiatives, including the Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants, which fund local projects such as bike repairs and renewable energy studies.
“There’s lots of groups across the city, at the neighbourhood level, the local level, [that] are doing really amazing things and just becoming involved. And that not only helps people to figure out things they can do, ways they can contribute, but often that work will help them talk to their neighbours, their friends, their family, about other things they can do,” Nowlan added.
For more information about the city’s climate initiatives, and how to get involved, visit the City of Toronto’s website.
