Endorsed yesterday by Toronto City Council, the City of Toronto has created an Accountability and Management Framework to help shape the implementation of the TransformTO Net Zero climate action strategy. The Framework aims to ensure meaningful engagement with Toronto’s diverse communities and key stakeholders to provide oversight, ensure clear accountability, facilitate ongoing communication and guide the effective and equitable implementation of Toronto’s climate strategy.
The Framework was developed in response to a need identified by the public, stakeholder organizations, and Council, and recognizes that achieving Toronto’s accelerated climate goals and targets will require collaborative action by the public, private and non-profit sectors, and residents at a scale and pace rarely seen before.
Three new groups will be created through the Framework:
- A Climate Advisory Group comprising diverse individuals and organizations representing all sectors of the city will advise the City on TransformTO Net Zero Strategy implementation.
- A Joint TransformTO Implementation Committee comprising City management and unionized staff, as well as labour unions, will help reach the City’s Council-directed corporate climate targets.
- A Net Zero Climate Leadership Table comprising cross-corporate City senior management staff will manage high-level issues and ensure overall accountability.
These groups will be established in the coming weeks and meetings will begin later this year. Information about the City’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy and opportunities for the public to get involved are available on the City’s TransformTO webpage.
Council adopted the City’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy in December 2021. With a target to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to net zero by 2040, Toronto’s climate strategy is one of the most ambitious in North America.
Last month, the City also announced the Deep Retrofit Challenge, which is aimed at accelerating the reduction of GHG emissions from existing buildings – the largest source of emissions in Toronto today. Through the Challenge, the City will provide funding to support deeper-than-planned energy retrofits in 10 to 16 privately-owned, multi-unit residential and commercial office buildings, with the goal of accelerating emissions reductions and identifying pathways to net zero that can be replicated in other buildings. The Challenge is funded through a $5 million investment from Natural Resources Canada.
Yesterday’s Council item, Accountability and Management Framework for the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy, has more information on the Framework.
Quotes:
“The City of Toronto is committed to implementing its TransformTO Net Zero climate action strategy in ways that also improve our health, equity and our economy. The advisory and oversight groups we create through the Framework will ensure input and ongoing dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders, including equity deserving groups, to ensure that we get this right.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Reducing Toronto’s community-wide emissions to net zero by 2040 will require a high degree of collaboration, engagement and input, to ensure that we meet our target and deliver a low-carbon, more equitable and more resilient Toronto. This accountability framework, and the resulting advisory bodies, will help us get there.”
– Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter 
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