Climate Action Plan

What Is the Corporate Climate Action Plan?

The CorCAP is a long-term strategy focused on the Township’s municipal operations. It outlines how we will:

• Reduce GHG emissions from Township buildings, fleet vehicles, streetlights, and water systems.

• Adapt our infrastructure and services to be more resilient to climate risks such as flooding, extreme heat, and intense storms.

This plan is one piece of a broader commitment that also supports regional efforts like Grey County’s "Grey to Green" Climate Action Plan and aligns with provincial and federal emissions targets.

Our Targets

Using 2018 as a baseline year, the Township has set the following emissions reduction targets for corporate operations:

• ✅ 40% reduction by 2030

• ✅ 70% reduction by 2040

• ✅ 80% reduction by 2050

These goals are ambitious, but necessary—and the work is already underway.

Key Areas of Action

The Township’s plan focuses on seven major areas:

1. Buildings

   • Energy audits, retrofits, LED lighting, and new Net Zero construction standards.

2. Fleet & Equipment

   • Green Fleet Strategy, anti-idling policies, and transitioning to low-emission vehicles.

3. Streetlights

   • Upgrades to low-energy, Dark Sky-compliant LED lighting.

4. Water & Sewage

   • Improved energy efficiency, conservation practices, and infrastructure upgrades.

5. Waste

   • Corporate waste diversion, and integration of climate goals into future waste services.

6. Nature-Based Solutions

   • Tree planting, green infrastructure, and low-impact development.

7. Corporate Policies

   • Climate lens in decision-making, staff training, and long-term budgeting for climate action.

Why It Matters

Georgian Bluffs is already seeing the impacts of climate change: more intense storms, freeze-thaw cycles, and shoreline flooding. These weather events stress infrastructure and threaten local services. By taking action now, we’re reducing long-term costs and building community resilience.

🌱 Did you know? From 2018 to 2021, the Township reduced its corporate emissions by 22% and its energy use by over 20%—through fuel switching, lighting upgrades, and operational changes.

Implementation & Reporting

• Climate initiatives are integrated into annual budgets.

• Staff monitor and report progress through performance indicators.

• The CorCAP is reviewed and updated every 5 years.

• Ongoing community engagement and staff training are part of the plan.