Toronto to net-zero: Where are we in relation to this ambitious goal?

In 2021, Toronto announced a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2040 to combat climate change. In order to meet climate targets set by the Paris Agreement, Canada needs to reduce carbon emissions in the coming years drastically. With a net-zero approach to governing Canada's most populated metropolitan area, Toronto can contribute significantly towards reducing Canada's carbon budget.

The baseline levels that the Net Zero Strategy sets as the reduction targets are from greenhouse gas emissions in the 1990s. According to [1], the reduction targets, by year, are:

• 30 percent by 2020
• 45 percent by 2025
• 65 percent by 2030
• Net zero by 2040

In 2021, it was estimated that Toronto was on track to have achieved its 2020 goal. As the greenhouse gas inventory is released on a two-year basis, it was recently confirmed that this goal was met.

According to [1], there are already some programs in place that will help achieve this goal:

• The Net Zero Existing Buildings Strategy will aim to reduce fossil fuel usage in buildings within 30 years significantly. The strategy begins with implementing voluntary performance measures and targets and will transition to mandatory requirements in 2025.
• By 2040, the target year for net-zero, The Net Zero Carbon Plan will reduce emissions from over 2,500 City-owned buildings (approximately 9.5 million square metres) by at least 80 percent.
• The BetterHomesTO and the Home Energy Loan Programs are two programs for homeowners, providing resources like low-interest loans for home energy retrofits.
• The TTC already has one of North America's largest fleets of electric buses, but the TTC Green Bus program includes a commitment to a 50 percent zero-emission bus fleet by 2032.

Coordination between major industry players and all levels of government is required to meet the 2040 Net Zero goal, as the municipal government only can regulate a small portion of local greenhouse gas emissions - approximately 5% of the total [2].

This goal requires complete dedication to this goal from critical sectors, such as infrastructure, transportation and waste. Additionally, the city will need to influence, regulate, advocate and facilitate transformation in five areas [1]:

• Create a carbon budget for municipal activities, showcasing carbon accountability on a local and global scale.
• Minimize reliance on natural gas use.
• Designate performance targets for existing infrastructure in the Greater Toronto Area.
• Increase accessibility to low-emission or zero-emission transportation alternatives, including walking, biking, public transit and electric vehicles.
• Increase local renewable energy creation and usage to contribute to a resilient, carbon-free grid.

[1] Toronto City Council. (2021, December 15). Net zero by 2040: City Council adopts ambitious climate strategy. Retrieved from https://www.toronto.ca/news/net-zero-by-2040-city-council-adopts-ambitious-climate-strategy/ (external link, opens in new window) 

[2] City of Toronto. (n.d.). TransformTO: Climate action for a healthy, equitable, prosperous Toronto. Retrieved April 6, 2023, from https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/environmentally-friendly-city-initiatives/transformto/ (external link)