Climate Leadership Plan

Consultation has concluded.

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Download the Climate Leadership Plan Summary Report


The City of Kingston wants your input on the draft Climate Leadership Plan Summary Report. This action-filled document is the City’s response to the climate emergency and acts as its roadmap to achieving carbon neutrality.

This plan is one of the first like it in Canada, combining actions to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate. It was built through engagement with the community, City staff, and leading experts. This Fall, it will be sent to members of Council for their review. If approved, the City will begin to implement the actions

climate leadership banner


Download the Climate Leadership Plan Summary Report


The City of Kingston wants your input on the draft Climate Leadership Plan Summary Report. This action-filled document is the City’s response to the climate emergency and acts as its roadmap to achieving carbon neutrality.

This plan is one of the first like it in Canada, combining actions to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate. It was built through engagement with the community, City staff, and leading experts. This Fall, it will be sent to members of Council for their review. If approved, the City will begin to implement the actions immediately. First, we need your feedback!

Get Involved!

  • Help validate the core elements of the Plan, such as the objectives and key actions.
  • Provide insight on how to promote the Plan and leverage community partnerships to ensure long-term implementation.
  • Review the draft Climate Leadership Plan Summary Report.
  • Attend a Virtual Open House on Sept. 29 at 6 p.m.
  • Complete the Draft Climate Leadership Plan Survey by 4 p.m. on Oct. 13.

About the Climate Leadership Plan

This plan builds off of previous climate work completed by the City in collaboration with the community, such as the Climate Action Plan (2014). In 2019, the City of Kingston became the first city in Ontario to declare a climate emergency, requiring an urgent response. The Climate Leadership Plan outlines objectives and actions for the City and community to become carbon neutral by 2040.

Goals of the Climate Leadership Plan

  • Define a clear path to reach corporate and community carbon neutrality.
  • Engage the most influential local stakeholders who can make the biggest GHG reductions.
  • Identify climate risks and adaptation priorities.
  • Consider solutions that stimulate economic development and prosperity.

Consultation has concluded.

Do you have questions about the Climate Leadership Plan? Please ask them below. 

Note: Comments are moderated, and staff will not respond to questions that do not adhere to the City’s Guidelines for Public Participation or that are unrelated to this work.

  • What is the city doing to reduce carbon, which is a known cause of climate change?

    Tara Kainer asked over 4 years ago

    Thank you for this question! The City of Kingston is implementing a number of initiatives to lower its GHG emissions towards its target of carbon neutrality by 2040 or earlier. Examples of these initiatives include the following:

    • Adding electric vehicles to the fleet to replace older vehicles that use fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel;
    • Constructing new buildings to high energy performance standards to minimize emissions, such as the Kingston East Community Centre, which will emit about 85 per cent less emissions than if the building did not include the optional renewable energy and advanced efficiency measures;
    • Retrofitting existing City facilities to reduce use of natural gas and improve efficiency of equipment and systems using electricity; and,
    • Improving wastewater treatment plants and processing of bio solids and organic waste to reduce emissions of methane. 


    More initiatives currently underway can be viewed here.