Environment and Sustainability

In 2019, Town of Whitby Council voted to declare a climate emergency. Since then, the Town has been taking steps to protect our environment, make our Town more sustainable, and act on climate change. We invite you to explore this site to learn how we're building a connected and resilient community through our plans, programs, and initiatives.

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Whitby's Climate Emergency Response Plan

The Town has finalized the Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan, which provides a framework to address both climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The Plan has two phases:

Phase 1: Resilience

Endorsed by Council in September 2022, the Resilience Plan outlines how we can adapt to the impacts of climate change we’re already experiencing and those we expect in the future.

Phase 2: Mitigation

Endorsed by Council in December 2023, the Mitigation Plan identifies actions to help the community reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. The Town will work with residents, businesses, and partners to reduce emissions.

Zero Carbon Whitby

Endorsed by Council in March 2021, Zero Carbon Whitby provides a framework to guide the Town in meeting its corporate GHG reduction targets. The Plan empowers staff to develop and implement actions that align both capital and operating budgets with these targets.

The Zero Carbon Whitby Costing Study details the specific actions the Town will need to take to reduce its corporate operational emissions to net zero by 2045.

Whitby Green Standard

As part of our commitment to sustainability, the Town developed the Whitby Green Standard to ensure new developments meet environmental, social, and economic design standards.

Annual Sustainability Report

Each year, we write an annual report that highlights the Town’s activities, projects, and programs. The report follows the One Planet Living Framework; an international framework with ten simple principles that help guide our work on social, environmental and economic sustainability.

Pollinators

Approximately 75% of all flowering plants depend on bees and other pollinators. Canada is home to over 1,000 species of pollinators, but these populations are threatened by:

Loss of natural habitats
Pesticide use
Climate change

Bees aren't the only pollinators that need our help. Other important pollinators include:

Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Moths
Beetles
Bats

Learn more about how the Town of Whitby is helping protect pollinators in our community.

Pollinator Gardens

To support pollinator species, we are committed to planting native plants that diversify existing habitats across the community. By creating more pollinator-friendly spaces, including gardens and meadows, we’re helping ensure a sustainable environment for these important species.

You can find locations of pollinator gardens and meadows across the community using The Whitby Geohub.

Whitby as a Bee City

The Town of Whitby is proud to be a designated Bee City, an honour given to municipalities that commit to protecting pollinators and their habitats through action and education. This designation reflects our ongoing efforts to support and raise awareness about the importance of pollinators in our community.

Mayors' Monarch Pledge

The Town of Whitby has taken the Mayors Monarch Pledge through the National Wildlife Federation to help protect monarch butterflies. By committing to this pledge, Whitby has dedicated efforts to restore habitat within the community and educate residents on ways they can support monarch conservation.

Urban Beehive

The Town of Whitby has installed an urban beehive on the rooftop of the Whitby Civic Recreation Complex, thanks to support from Elexicon Energy. This beehive demonstrates the Town's commitment to protecting local pollinators and promoting biodiversity in our community.

Elexicon Energy logo.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Chargers

The Town is committed to supporting sustainable transportation by expanding the availability of electric vehicle charging stations. To help residents and visitors easily locate charging stations, we’ve provided an interactive map of all EV charger locations in the Town.

Thank you to our sponsor for supporting sustainable transportation through EV charging infrastructure.

Memberships and Affiliations

The Town of Whitby is proud to be a member of various environmental and sustainability programs and initiatives. Explore our memberships and affiliations to see how we’re working together with others to create a sustainable Whitby: