Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP)
The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is developing a Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) to better understand how energy is used across the community and to identify opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, and strengthen local resilience.
This work is being supported by QUEST Canada, a national charitable organization that helps municipalities across Ontario and Canada set and achieve community energy and emissions-reduction goals.
Ontario Net-Zero Communities Accelerator Program
Niagara-on-the-Lake is participating in the Ontario Net-Zero Communities Accelerator Program, led by QUEST Canada. The program provides municipalities with tools, expertise, and peer support to develop practical, community-driven energy and emissions plans.
Through this program, communities receive support to:
- Build local expertise and municipal capacity
- Collaborate with regional and community partners
- Develop a customized Community Energy and Emissions Plan aligned with local priorities
What Work Has Been Completed
As part of the program, the Town has completed two key technical studies:
Benchmarking Assessment
This assessment looks at how Niagara-on-the-Lake compares to Canadian best practices across areas such as land use, transportation, buildings, energy systems, governance, and planning. The results help identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities to move toward net-zero goals.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory
A comprehensive inventory was completed to understand where community-wide emissions come from, including transportation, buildings, and waste. The inventory also includes future emissions projections to 2050 based on population growth and compares results with other Ontario municipalities.
Energy Mapping and Action Planning (Current Phase)
The Town is now in the final phase of the program: Energy Mapping and Action Planning. This phase focuses on turning data into practical, locally informed actions through community and stakeholder input.
Climate Change Adaptation
The purpose of a Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP) is to prepare the Town to adapt to climate change, extreme weather, and to minimize the results of climate impacts. This will be accomplished by:
- Creating a vision statement to support the Town’s position on climate change.
- Identifying potential impacts related to climate change on infrastructure, assets, services and operations.
- Prioritizing adaptation actions to reduce risk and vulnerability.
- Developing a detailed plan of implementation including cost estimates, funding sources, responsibilities, timelines and evaluation framework.
The impacts of climate change will be felt across the entire region and will continue. Adaptation planning enables the Town to develop a guideline and evaluate vulnerabilities, manage the impacts, risks and opportunities presented by changing climate. While efforts to combat climate change are necessary at all levels, municipalities are on the frontline of planning for climate change adaptation and engaging stakeholders.
The CCAP includes twenty-seven actions that the municipality will undertake to adapt to climate change. These actions contribute to six overarching goals that the Town will strive toward as it implements the CCAP. The goals are as follows:
Image  | Integrate Climate Change into Plans, Policies, By-Laws and Standards |
Image  | Build Urban Forest Resiliency |
Image  | Reduce Flooding Risks |
Image  | Incorporate Climate Change in Design and Construction |
Image  | Minimize Health and Safety Risks to Community Members |
Image  | Support Public Awareness and Education |
Read the full Climate Change Adaptation Plan
Climate Change Mitigation
Mitigation is focused on the reduction and prevention of greenhouse gas emissions, alongside other efforts to reduce the rate of climate change.
The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has made the following mitigation efforts to date:
- Decreased energy use in municipal buildings, facilities, and general operations
- Reduced carbon footprint with LED streetlight conversion project
- Installed an electric charging station
- Reduced the use of single-use plastics at Town events
- Water bottle refill stations installed at Town facilities
- Four stream garbage bins were installed to dispose of organics at Town facilities
Climate Change and Human Health
Climate change is contributing to more frequent and extreme weather events that can impact human health, including extreme heat and precipitation. Access to cooling and warming spaces is being promoted to help individuals safely manage these conditions, alongside measures to reduce risk associated with standing water.
To report immediate threats to safety and well-being, call 9-1-1.
Health and Safety in Extreme Heat
Environment Canada issues heat alerts when:
- Two or more consecutive days of maximum daytime temperatures are expected to reach 31°C or warmer,
- Nighttime minimum temperatures are expected to be 20°C or warmer
- Two or more days of humidex values are expected to reach 40 or higher
Visit Environment Canada for current weather conditions and local forecasts and Public Health for a list of at-risk populations and ways to protect yourself during a heat warning.
Free Public Transit During Extreme Heat Events
During official extreme heat events issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada, Niagara Region Transit (NRT) offers free rides to designated cooling facilities. Visit the Niagara Transit's website for more information.
Cooling Centres and Outdoor Spaces
Anyone seeking relief from extreme heat is welcome at the following Town facilities and outdoor spaces (subject to operating hours):
Health and Safety in Extreme Cold
Niagara Region Homelessness Services works with community partners to support people experiencing homelessness during extreme cold weather by providing supplies, safety information, and access to warm spaces and other supports. Visit the Niagara Region webpage to learn more and read the full Homelessness Winter Weather Response Plan.
Visit Environment Canada for current weather conditions and local forecasts.
Warming Centres
The following Town facilities are available to those seeking relief from extreme cold, subject to operating hours.
- NOTL Library, 10 Anderson Lane
- Community Centre, 14 Anderson Lane
These locations are not emergency shelters or equipped to provide social services. For overnight accommodation, call 2-1-1 to connect with the Niagara Assertive Outreach Team. For more information, visit the Niagara Region's Emergency Shelters page.
Free Transportation to Warming Centres
During extreme cold advisories, NRT OnDemand offers free transportation to warming centres in the Niagara Region. Trips must be booked through their booking agents at 1-833-678-5463 or via the Niagara Transit Plus App. Availability is subject to their travel guidelines. Learn more about the Warming Centres in Niagara.
Standing Water Health and Safety
Increased precipitation can raise the risk of flooding and standing water, creating safety, contamination, and health risks. Avoid walking or driving through flooded areas, as water can conceal hazards, affect visibility, and vehicle mobility. Standing water can also contaminate wells and cisterns through runoff, increasing the risk of waterborne illness. Learn how to test your well/cistern water and ensure it is disinfected. Standing water can also provide breeding habitat for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of West Nile Virus. The Niagara Region conducts a catch basin inspection program for mosquitoes and runs from June to October.
Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Standing Water
- Keep yards clean
- Clean out eaves, gutters, and drains
- Maintain yards and lawns
- Clean and remove debris from catch basins
- Always inspect swimming or wading pools, hot tubs, and ponds
- Clean up and empty water in toys, birdbaths, tires, flowerpots, wheelbarrows, and other garden objects
- Drill holes in the bottoms of containers so water can't collect
- Change water in bird baths frequently
- Repair window and door screens
- Fix faucets and hoses
To learn more about climate change impacts on human health, please visit the Niagara Region's webpage.