Energy
Energy is consumed constantly in our day to day activities, whether at home, at work or on the road. The majority of the energy we use is from non renewable resources. Locating, processing and transporting these resources to our homes and businesses produce emissions that contribute to poor air quality and/or climate change.
Legislation directs how we plan our neighbourhoods and buildings which can greatly impact our energy use. Changes to the Ontario Building Code came into effect in 2012 providing for enhanced energy efficiency requirements. Also in 2012, the city embarked on a process to update the city's Official Plan which is anticipated to take 2 - 4 years.
Energy related initiatives are weaved throughout Burlington City Council's strategic plan for 2011-2014 titled Burlington, Our Future. These include but are not limited to:
- Prepare corporate energy reduction targets
- Implement a plan to reduce the city's greenhouse gas emissions
- Implement a green procurement policy
- Use partnerships to develop and implement a community energy plan
- Expand renewable energy initiatives
- Strengthen the partnership with the Burlington Hydro Grid Smart City initiative
- Promote walking and cycling-friendly neighbourhoods to ensure community safety and accessibility
- Update the Transit Master Plan
- Develop a common vision and coordinated plan to decrease reliance on vehicles
- Encourage a vibrant and healthy mixed-use downtown
- Create a strategy to redevelop aging retail areas into mixed-use "people places"
Please click on the links below to learn more about the topics covered in this section.
