Climate Action Plan

What climate change means for the County of Brant

Climate change poses significant challenges for the County of Brant, affecting both the natural environment and the community's quality of life.

Here in Brant, we see the effects of climate change in many ways: heavier and unpredictable rainfall, more extreme weather, droughts, heatwaves, and flooding. Rising temperatures can disrupt agriculture - greatly impacting our local farmers, damage infrastructure, and increase the risk of flooding. These changes threaten local ecosystems, water supplies, and biodiversity.

For the community, climate change can impact public health and safety, economic stability, our food supply and our overall well-being.

Benefits of climate action

Taking climate action can bring numerous benefits to the County of Brant and its residents.

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions can improve air quality and public health.
• Enhancing resilience and preparedness for extreme weather events can protect infrastructure and reduce recovery costs.
• Promoting sustainable agriculture can ensure food security and support local farmers.
• Protecting natural resources and biodiversity helps maintain ecosystem services that are vital for clean water, fertile soil, and recreational opportunities.

Overall, climate action can lead to a healthier, more sustainable, and prosperous community.

How the County is responding to climate change

Back in 2019, the County of Brant Council declared a climate emergency, joining many other municipalities across Canada in recognizing the urgent need to address climate change. Our goal? To become carbon net neutral by 2050. That means we want to balance out the carbon we emit with actions that remove carbon from the atmosphere.

For years, the County has been promoting smart, sustainable solutions. We’re investing in renewable energy, improving our trail systems and outdoor spaces, supporting tree planting, and more.

To build on these successes and prepare for the future, we’re creating our first-ever Climate Action Plan – a road map to help guide the County toward a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future for everyone. The goal through this plan is to support climate action both at the corporate level and within our community with actions that are cost-effective and meet the needs and priorities of our diverse community.

How your input helps

• Determine community priorities: We can identify what matters most to you and ensure the plan reflects these priorities.
• Identify impacts and solutions: Sharing your experiences with how climate change impacts you and your surroundings will help us pinpoint specific local challenges and develop targeted actions to address them.
• Support community-led action: We want to know how the County can best support community-driven initiatives. Your insights will help explore opportunities to provide resources and support.

FAQs

We have included a list of frequently asked questions to help answer some questions you may have about the project.

Stay informed

Scroll down to see the news feed of information including opportunities to engage, a timeline of events, supporting information, and more.

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