Climate Leadership Plan

Our Climate Leadership Plan measures the impact of programs and actions taken by the City to reduce greenhouse gases. It also outlines steps that need to be taken to achieve the City’s goal of being carbon neutral by 2040. The plan incorporates feedback and ideas from our community. It identifies the many actions we can take at the City and as a community to build a more climate-resilient and sustainable Kingston. 

This Climate Leadership Plan is one of the first of its kind in Canada because it combines tactics to adapt to a changing climate with ones to mitigate future impacts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

The purpose and goals of our plan are to: 

1. measure the impact of our programs and actions on reducing greenhouse gases 
2. outline the steps we will take to become carbon neutral by 2040 
3. capture community feedback and ideas to identify opportunities where we can work together to build a more climate-resilient and sustainable Kingston. 

What’s in the plan? 

The plan considers best practices, upcoming plans and evolving technology. It outlines 10 objectives and 54 actions in five target areas, including:  

1. Transportation 
2. Buildings and energy production 
3. Waste 
4. Food 
5. Forestry 

Several short-term and long-term actions are identified for each objective. Some actions are led by the City, some will be led by community partners like Sustainable Kingston, and some are collaborative with multiple partners.  

Get involved in climate action 

Many local businesses, organizations and individuals have joined us in our efforts to reduce greenhouse gases but to reach our ambitious targets, we need active participation from all members of our community, including you! 

Better Homes Kingston

Make your home more energy efficient and climate resilient. Through the Better Homes Kingston program, Kingston homeowners are eligible for a zero-interest loan for home energy efficiency improvements. Join the Better Homes Kingston waitlist and start planning today. 

Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions

Get to know your Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion! Each champion will be leading projects and initiatives that will help reduce our community greenhouse gases and lead us towards a more sustainable community.  

Interested in leading your own project? Program applications for 2025 champions will open in Fall 2024. 

Climate Leadership in the City

Stay up to date on climate action in the City with the Climate Action Kingston Newsletter. This newsletter will bring you in-depth stories on climate issues facing our community and updates on our work implementing the climate leadership plan. 

Find out how you can make a difference by emailing changeforclimate@cityofkingston.ca.