Every journey begins with a first step, and thanks to Toronto City Council, we’ve embarked on the journey to turn the TransformTO climate plan into reality. As part of the 2018 budget, Council decided to invest in the low-carbon future of our city – and all the benefits that will bring. So what’s happening next?
Assemble Talent for TransformTO
With its decision, City Council supported the creation of 30 new positions in 2018 to advance all of the TransformTO short-term strategies and acceleration campaigns. This is in addition to the six positions created in 2017.
Hiring is already underway to bring on new staff in support of the acceleration and redesign of key programs, such as the Home Energy Loan Program, the development of low carbon thermal energy systems and the Better Buildings Partnership.
In addition, the City’s Environment & Energy Division is already interviewing for key positions to lead the overall management of the TransformTO program. A TransformTO program manager, a project lead and an Urban Fellow are scheduled to step into their roles in April, followed by a new research analyst in July. Meanwhile, two new TransformTO stakeholder engagement leads will join the Live Green Toronto team.
These new staff will lead internal coordination, community liaison, develop TransformTO reporting schedules, and advance the three TransformTO acceleration campaigns: Mobilize Low-Carbon Neighbourhoods, Prepare for Electric Mobility, and Develop the Workforce for High-Performance Buildings.
Benefit from Indigenous knowledge
Responding to community input and Council directives, the TransformTO team will also meet with the City’s Aboriginal Affairs Committee in April. The goal: make connections, gain insights and receive advice how to apply Indigenous principles to the implementation of TransformTO actions.
Focus on co-benefits
The Atmospheric Fund (TAF), as the co-lead of the TransformTO initiative, will tackle a slate of TransformTO activities in 2018 that recently received approval by the TAF Board of Directors. The six planned activities will focus on two areas:
Leveraging co-benefits to enhance engagement
- Deepen understanding of co-benefits and opportunities for alignment of TransformTO actions with other key City priorities.
- Strengthen climate communication and community engagement techniques.
- Broaden engagement to attract communities not traditionally engaged in climate-focused action.
- Incubate partnership brokering capacity to support excellence in cross-sectoral initiatives management.
Developing the workforce for high-performance buildings
- Clarify energy efficiency job creation opportunity in Toronto and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
- Seek out and engage key community stakeholders interested in leading this campaign.
Follow your lead
As envisioned, much of the real work of TransformTO is happening out there in the broader community. From new neighbourhood initiatives in places such as Leslieville and Mount Dennis to photo contests, to impact investing, through to strategic policy advocacy. We’d love to hear more about what YOU are doing and how we might create synergies together. Leave a comment about your ideas and activities below.
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