Actions

1. Active Transportation

• 1.1.1

  Implementation

  Plan a network of major active transportation corridors across cities and townships, that will provide high-volume prior…
• 1.1.2

  Planning

  Plan for and build neighbourhood connections to the active transportation network
• 1.1.3

  Implementation

  Implement further policies across the region to prioritize active transportation in road and trail design and reconstruc…
• 1.1.4

  Implementation

  Identify and implement policy and program opportunities to de-incentivize driving
• 1.1.5

  Planning

  Design and maintain active transportation infrastructure to ensure year-round access, safety, and comfort for people of …
• 1.2.1

  Planning

  Complete Phase 2 ION to Cambridge, and plan for future higher-order transit service on additional key corridors
• 1.2.2

  Planning

  Ensure priority access for walking, cycling, and rolling to transit stations and bus stops
• 1.2.3

  Implementation

  Continue to expand access to transit across cities and townships
• 1.2.4

  Implementation

  Connect people to intercity, multimodal, and emerging transportation solutions
• 1.2.5

  Planning

  Improve transit infrastructure and technologies to increase rider comfort and convenience
• 1.3.1

  Continuous

  Launch micro mobility systems (bike, e-bike and e-scooter-sharing systems) in Waterloo Region communities
• 1.3.2

  Implementation

  Expand and innovate on existing programming (e.g. Travelwise) that supports employers and employees in making active tra…
• 1.3.3

  Not started

  Create community active transportation hubs to provide customized support, education, training, and resources
• 1.3.4

  Implementation

  Develop active transportation and transit programs that target equity-deserving communities
• 1.3.5

  Implementation

  Post-pandemic continued adoption of work from home and flexible work schedules for reducing trips or shifting trips to o…
• 1.4.1

  Planning

  Increase the efficiency of commercial goods movement
• 1.5.1

  Planning

  Create “15 minute neighbourhoods” where people can meet their daily needs by walking, cycling, or rolling
• 1.5.2

  Planning

  Implement design standards for new developments to build for walking, cycling, and rolling to be the primary mode of tra…
• 1.5.3

  Planning

  Site key community services, health facilities, subsidized housing, etc., in central areas where they can be easily acce…

2. Zero Emission Vehicles

• 2.1.1

  Planning

  Complete a region-wide electric vehicle strategy
• 2.1.2

  Implementation

  Plan and begin to implement a transition to zero emission vehicles for municipal fleets, working towards a goal of at le…
• 2.1.3

  Planning

  Plan and begin to implement the transition of commercial vehicle fleets to zero emissions vehicles
• 2.1.4

  Implementation

  Grand River Transit to pilot zero emission vehicles, and implement a full zero emission vehicle strategy (full transitio…
• 2.1.5

  Planning

  Develop and implement an electric vehicle public outreach and communication strategy for personal vehicles
• 2.1.6

  Address barriers to a transition to zero emission school buses
• 2.2.1

  Planning

  Provide more public electric vehicle charging stations in public spaces, commercial spaces and other places visited by t…
• 2.2.2

  Planning

  Require all new residential parking spaces, and a portion of new non-residential parking spaces, to be constructed as "E…
• 2.2.3

  Planning

  Investigate and implement local opportunities to address barriers to adding electric vehicle charging infrastructure in …
• 2.2.4

  Planning

  Investigate hydrogen vehicle trends and refuelling infrastructure options

3. Fuel Switching Our Buildings

• 3.1.1

  Implementation

  Upgrade commercial and residential building walls, foundations, attics, windows and doors to reduce heat losses
• 3.1.2

  Implementation

  Implement a public literacy campaign to explain and promote the adoption of electric heat pumps for space and water heat…
• 3.1.3

  Implementation

  Switch home and business heating and water heating off of fossil fuels
• 3.1.4

  Planning

  Investigate and plan for full replacement of natural gas with other, non-fossil fuel sources, such as a combination of r…
• 3.1.5

  Planning

  Identify and implement necessary supports to transition anyone still using fuel oil, or propane for heating to other fue…
• 3.1.6

  Planning

  Install renewable energy generation in business and residential buildings
• 3.1.7

  Planning

  Support households on lower income with building envelope improvements, electrifying space and water heating, and renewa…
• 3.1.8

  Not started

  Identify opportunities to incentivize landlords to perform energy efficiency upgrades
• 3.1.9

  Planning

  Offer innovative loans for energy-related residential and commercial building upgrades
• 3.1.10

  Planning

  Create a one-window service to support energy-related upgrades for homes and businesses
• 3.1.11

  Implementation

  Education for the development industry, architects, engineers, building inspectors, and trades on deep energy building u…
• 3.1.12

  Not started

  Integrate energy profiles of buildings and homes into real estate sales and leases
• 3.2.1

  Implementation

  Support the adoption of highly efficient building envelope designs, hyper efficient mechanical systems, and onsite renew…
• 3.2.2

  Planning

  Develop resources for assessing the life-cycle emissions of building materials
• 3.2.3

  Planning

  Develop region-wide building standards to encourage and support zero-carbon development of all new buildings in the regi…
• 3.2.4

  Planning

  Incorporate energy planning considerations into the development application review process
• 3.2.5

  Planning

  Provide training for and build capacity of building operators and property managers in operating their buildings to zero…
• 3.2.6

  Planning

  Build capacity and expertise in the local design and construction sector to build net-zero carbon buildings
• 3.2.7

  Planning

  Show leadership by building net-zero carbon in the public sector

4. Use Less and Waste Less

• 4.1.1

  Implementation

  Continue to maximize opportunities to expand residential curbside diversion programs, landfill gas capture, and waste to…
• 4.1.2

  Planning

  Provide organics collection in all multi-residential buildings
• 4.1.3

  Implementation

  Support the use of compost/organics collection programs for all commercial buildings
• 4.2.1

  Implementation

  Implement community waste reduction and circular economy campaigns
• 4.2.2

  Planning

  Build community champion programs to provide best practices and recognition for innovative commercial waste management
• 4.2.3

  Implementation

  Build incentives or a local program for low to zero waste take-out options
• 4.2.4

  Reduce unnecessary building demolitions and construction waste
• 4.2.5

  Implementation

  Support programs and services that offer repair, refurbishment, and resource sharing in the community

5. Thriving Local Food System

• 5.1.1

  Planning

  Continue to develop and enforce robust land use planning protections for prime agricultural land
• 5.2.1

  Planning

  Create a region-wide agricultural industry strategy to support the agriculture and agri-food sector
• 5.3.1

  Support the reduction of GHG emissions from livestock, and develop methane capture and energy production from manure
• 5.3.2

  Not started

  Support ongoing efforts to reduce and replace fossil fuel use, and sequester carbon, in the agricultural industry
• 5.4.1

  Not started

  Education on low GHG/ sustainable eating habits
• 5.4.2

  Planning

  Provide a variety of low GHG food options and plant-based dining options in local restaurants, grocery stores, and cater…

6. Equity, Prosperity & Resilience

• 6.1.1

  Planning

  Establish metrics to measure progress on increasing equity through GHG reduction initiatives in our community
• 6.1.2

  Planning

  Incorporate education on sustainability justice and equity into climate action planning
• 6.1.3

  Not started

  Fund a climate justice committee led by community members from equity-seeking groups
• 6.1.4

  Planning

  Provide specialized resources/support to organizations on prioritizing equity while planning their transition
• 6.1.5

  Not started

  Collaborate with Mennonite communities in the rural townships to build customized energy transition support to meet thei…
• 6.1.6

  Planning

  Build reciprocal relationships between Indigenous groups and local municipalities and climate action organizations to en…
• 6.1.7

  Not started

  Increase broadband internet access
• 6.1.8

  Implementation

  Apply an equity lens to all the actions in this transformation
• 6.2.1

  Implementation

  Develop and support a clean technology cluster in Waterloo Region
• 6.3.1

  Not started

  Build the capacity for renewable energy installation
• 6.3.2

  Not started

  Implement a public literacy campaign for homeowners and property owners on renewable energy systems
• 6.3.3

  Not started

  Implement a literacy and awareness campaign for commercial scale renewable energy generation
• 6.3.4

  Not started

  Evaluate how to identify and protect optimal areas for industrial-scale renewable energy generation
• 6.4.1

  Not started

  Develop an energy transition plan template, and provide outreach programs and target setting support for all organizatio…
• 6.4.2

  Not started

  Develop an energy transition plan template and outreach programs for all households
• 6.5.1

  Planning

  Bring community organizations and local government together to collectively identify and communicate advocacy priorities…