FAQs

Climate change is the process of greenhouse gasses emitted into the atmosphere changing our planet's climate patterns such as temperature, precipitation, winds and other factors. This is due largely to the emissions of greenhouse gases by human activities.

Greenhouse gasesinclude:

• carbon dioxide;
• methane; and
• nitrous oxide.

Mississauga's climate is changing and has already experienced a half-degree average temperature increase over the last 100 years. 

There have been three major climate events in Mississauga in the past nine years. Recent storms include the Cooksville flood of 2009, the rain and windstorms of July 2013 and the ice storm of December 2013. 

The three hottest years on record globally were 2014, 2015, and 2016. 

Examples of climate change actions taken by the City, residents and businesses across Mississauga include:

• The City has a 5 Year Energy Conservation Plan to reduce energy and GHG’s by an additional one percent for the next five years with a total annual savings of approximately $575,000 per year.

• The City’s Greening Our Fleet program reduced greenhouse gas emissions equal to taking approximately 39 cars off the road per year. The program avoided over $500,000 in fuel costs between 2006 and 2012.

• Between 2014 and 2015, converting city streetlights to LEDs reduced greenhouse gas emissions equal to taking approximately 150 cars off the road per year.

• In 2016, a new stormwater charge was introduced to better maintain and expand stormwater infrastructure in Mississauga.

• Through the City’s One Million Trees program, more than 245,000 trees have been planted by the City, its partners and the community.

• Through City-run initiatives like Earth Markets, residents learn more about environmental actions and green activities.

Yes. The panel will include organizations that have a major stake in climate change action in the Mississauga. The panel will provide guidance throughout the development of the Plan, and participate in the creation of actions for the community. 

We plan to monitor our progress and release reports to the public each year. We will also update our plan, including our GHG emissions targets, every five years. You can follow our progress on Twitter @MiLivingGreen and Facebook @SaugaGreen.

For more up to date progress report visit: https://www.mississauga.ca/projects-and-strategies/city-projects/climate-change-action-plan/

Cities play an important role in tackling climate change. Cities are major contributors to GHG emissions. For example, cities consume large amounts of energy to heat and cool buildings, and use large quantities of gasoline or diesel to fuel vehicles. At the same time, cities are already feeling the impacts of climate change (e.g., more extreme weather events). It is therefore important for cities to be prepared for these changes.

Funding for CCAP actions will be requested as part of the City’s annual Business Plan and Budget.

For the CCAP to be successful, we all have to work together! The first step is to fill out our survey to help inform the updated City Climate Action Plan. Additionally,  there will be many opportunities for the public to engage with the City on climate change. 

• Eat a more plant-based diet

• Drive less and walk, cycle or take transit more

• Plant trees

• Grow local food

• Plant a rain garden

• Conserve more and waste less

• Hang your clothes to dry

• Replace light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs

• Purchase a programmable thermostat and turn down your thermostat at night
  and when you are not at home

•  Assemble a 72-hour emergency preparedness kit

• Install an electric heat pump