Caledon Solidifies its Reputation as an Environmental Leader
The Town of Caledon is very proud of its reputation for being a green community, but we are well aware that in order to maintain this reputation we must constantly search for ways we can improve on our environmental track record.
With that objective in mind the Town of Caledon continues to initiate a variety of projects to solidify its reputation as an environmental leader and continue on our path toward sustainability.
In the fall of 2012, Council endorsed a Corporate Green Building Standard. This standard sets out the Town’s commitment to incorporate sustainable building design principles into the planning, design, and construction of new municipal buildings and major renovations of existing buildings. Sustainable building design can lead to monetary savings, reduced environmental impact and a healthier and a more productive working environment.
Climate Change has also been a major priority for the Town with two supporting strategies:
1) Caledon Community Climate Change Plan, and
2) Peel Climate Change Strategy.
Both strategies have been Council endorsed which have led to various initiatives. A pilot School Green Fund was developed in 2012 to assist Caledon schools with developing and launching climate change education programs. There were four school recipients and staff will be asking Council to continue considering the Fund as a long term program.
Another climate change recommendation included an action on anti-idling. Staff presented a proposed by-law which will prohibit non-exempt vehicles from idling for more than two minutes within a 60 minute period. A number of by-law exemptions have been prepared based on a municipal review of best practices for idling control by-laws. Staff intends to bring the final by-law to Council for endorsement in the fall.
Finally, the Town recently submitted its facility 2011 energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions as per the requirements of new Provincial legislation. This reporting will continue on an annual basis. The Town was well positioned to meet the requirements since it developed its energy management plan 3 years in advance of the Provincial requirement. Caledon has since been cited as a model for other municipalities.
We will continue to seek new green opportunities and continue to make Caledon a place that you can be proud to call home while building on our reputation for being the Greenest Town in Ontario. More information on any of these initiatives can be found by sending an email to environment@caledon.ca or visiting www.caledon.ca/environment
