Green Initiatives

The Municipality of Clarington is committed to protecting our environment. As our community grows, we will continue working to minimize our environmental impact and maintain a healthy environment for future generations. The Municipality is involved in a variety of initiatives to promote environmental sustainability and respond to climate change.

Clarington Corporate Climate Action Plan (CCCAP)

Clarington Council approved the Clarington Corporate Climate Action Plan (CCCAP) to prepare for climate change and reduce the negative impact Municipal service delivery may have on the environment. The CCCAP outlines over one hundred actions the Municipality can take to respond to climate change while adapting services and operations to minimize climate risks. It also sets targets to reduce corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The CCCAP sets a target to reduce corporate GHG emissions by 35 per cent by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

• Clarington Climate Action Plan

Clarington has also begun to budget and change its vehicle fleet to low-carbon electric vehicles (EVs) where possible. We have also built charging stations to support our fleet and assist residents who have chosen this green transportation option to ensure their vehicles are charged.

Green municipal operations

• Energy Conservation Demand Management
• EV Plan for the Municipality of Clarington: Research and Recommendations Report (PDF)

Green community initiatives

• Durham Community Climate Adaptation Plan
• Durham Community Energy Plan (DCEP)
• Trees for Rural Roads

Durham Greener Homes Program

The Region of Durham has launched a home energy retrofit program to assist homeowners who want to move forward with deep energy retrofits on their homes. The Durham Greener Homes Program is a retrofit accelerator program that features a one-stop shop and links homeowners with an energy coach service to help walk them through the complexities of retrofitting homes. The home energy coach is an independent advisor who provides the homeowner with assistance on different topics, from understanding home energy efficiency needs/priorities to sourcing contractors, accessing rebates, and undertaking the home retrofit project.

Environmental wins

• Milestone achieved: Clarington one step closer to reaching its climate goals
• Clarington continues to build its green fleet by adding seven new EVs and eight charging points
• Clarington declares a climate emergency as it works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions
• LED streetlight replacement to save $400,000 each year (PDF)
• De-oxygenated Water System Retrofit (PDF)

It’s time to break up with plastic...for good!

Did you know? In 2019, Clarington banned all single-use plastics in all our facilities and community halls to help minimize our environmental impact. That ban is still in place today.

How you can help:

• When shopping for food, choose products that create less waste.
• Bring reusable cups and dishes to work.
• Don’t buy bottled water.
• If you’re bringing food to a meeting or celebration, avoid single-use plastics.