In 2019, the City of Kitchener declared a climate emergency. We have an obligation to our neighbours and future generations to move as ambitiously as possible to reduce our contribution to global warming. We know that burning fossil fuels has led to an increase in heat-related deaths, biodiversity loss, air quality issues, and severe weather. Locally, the effects of climate change will result in stronger storms, hotter summers, and winters with more freeze-thaw cycles, putting increased strain on our outdoor infrastructure. 

Furthermore, those most impacted by extreme weather are often already marginalized: neighbours living in area with little green space, magnifying the urban heat island effect. Tenants without access to adequate air conditioning (this includes 44% of low- and moderate-income tenants in Canada). 

We are already seeing a shift away from fossil fuels as we choose to drive EVs, ride electric bicycles and scooters, and use heat pumps in our homes and workplaces. Investments in transit, efforts to increase our urban tree cover, and a commitment to net-zero buildings give us hope. The question is not if, but when we will hit net zero — and to help us stay on track, Kitchener has committed to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030.

Kitchener has a particularly important role in the energy transition through its ownership of Kitchener Utilities, which provides natural gas services to residents. Kitchener Utilities’ Energy Transition Plan has started the conversation about how we continue to operate this vital public service while reducing our emissions. 

The high-level land use decisions in our Official Plan mean that we can build complete communities and retrofit existing neighbourhoods to make the most of our current infrastructure, avoid unnecessary sprawl, and create neighbourhoods where we can meet our daily needs without a car.

Sam's priorities for climate change

• Help communities make the jump from last century’s technology to new, clean energy by providing affordable and convenient alternatives to car travel, increasing energy efficiency in building design, exploring district heating options, using municipal land and buildings for solar power generation, and making efficient use of existing utilities.
  

• Plan all neighbourhoods to support rapid transit with a density of at least 70 people and jobs per hectare. Require a mix of different land uses to provide opportunities for living, working, appointments, and entertainment within a walkable distance.

• Stop installing new gas utilities for new homes and businesses. Instead, expand the use of electric heat and power in our buildings. We can leverage Kitchener Utilities to move beyond just being a gas company, and playing a key role in the next generation of heat pumps, geothermal, solar power, and district energy.

• Strengthen our ability to adapt to climate change by accelerating the pace of planned creek naturalization projects. Several of Kitchener‘s creeks, which have been encased in concrete over the last 70 years, should be restored to their natural creekbeds as soon as possible. This will improve biodiversity, water quality, provide more recreation spaces, and improve quality of life in neighbourhoods, all while increasing our resilience to extreme weather.

• Retrofit the City’s network of cooling centres to meet clean air standards. As air quality issues from wildfire smoke become more frequent, we should ensure HVAC systems in public buildings can provide a safe space for neighbours to gather, especially in neighbourhoods that are underserviced or are home to marginalized populations.