By preserving and cultivating its resources, Hamilton is evolving into a city capable of sustaining itself. The City is working towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 by pioneering energy management systems, new energy technology and developing greener, safer, and healthier neighbourhoods.
The planning and construction of urban infrastructure help to reduce energy consumption, maximize the use of renewable energy sources and promote healthy and active lifestyles. This guide further explores Hamilton’s environmental initiatives and strategies for sustainable living.
Environmental Plans and Strategies in Hamilton
Hamilton has implemented different environmental plans and policies to assist in preserving its natural resources. The city’s environmental master plan outlines a long-term goal for the city’s environmental sustainability. Some of its environmental strategies include:
- Clean & Green Hamilton Strategy
The Clean & Green Hamilton Strategy emphasizes the actionable steps everyone can take to ensure the community remains clean and green. The strategy is implemented through various clean and green programs and activities. These programs and initiatives will address issues like litter, illegal dumping, graffiti and environmental stewardship. Everyone in Hamilton is encouraged to take responsibility for the community’s improvement through the strategy’s implementation.
To guarantee that renters assist one another with the experience, knowledge, and resources required to keep the environment clean and green, the Clean & Green Hamilton Strategy supports and assists in coordinating efforts to keep the environment clean and green.
The city aims to be recognized as a sustainable community where everyone heeds green building practices, from industry professionals to owners to those looking for a house for rent in Hamilton. For the Clean and Green Hamilton Strategy to be successful, tenants, property owners and community leaders must demonstrate their dedication and participation.
Get the Green Building Project Checklist
Use this handy checklist on your next project to keep track of all the ways you can make your home more energy-efficient and sustainable.
- Urban Forest Strategy
The Urban Forest Strategy is an approach to ensuring the urban forest in Hamilton is in good health over the long run. It’s responsible for ensuring the conservation, maintenance, and planting of the City’s trees and forests on land owned by the public and privately in the urban area.
Additionally, to assist Hamilton in accomplishing its urban forestry objectives as outlined in the Urban Hamilton Official Plan, a bold plan needs to be developed for the urban forest. The Urban Forest Strategy incorporates a sample inventory of trees in the residential vicinity to describe the state of Hamilton’s urban forest.
The vision generated by the community for the anticipated development of the urban forest and further components of this approach includes conducting a study on policies, bylaws, programs and collaborations already in place within Hamilton. Identifying potential and difficulties for improving the urban forest is another project objective.
- Community Energy and Emissions Plan
The Community Energy and Emissions Plan for Hamilton aims to fulfill the city’s future energy needs. It also improves energy efficiency, lowers GHG emissions and offers community-supported energy solutions.
The energy efficiency policy considers the city’s energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. These range from residential to commercial to industrial to waste management.
Hamilton has developed a Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) called ReCharge Hamilton. This outlines a significant part of the plan that will be implemented to address the climate emergency.
- Clean & Green Neighbourhood Grant
An opportunity to receive one-time money for community green projects and initiatives is being made available by the Keep Hamilton Clean & Green Committee.
This is a neighbourhood grant of about $1000. The project focus areas include environmental stewardship, graffiti and littering. This grant is intended to help businesses achieve measurable and sustained project results. These actions must support the Clean and Green Hamilton Strategy. Clean and green areas increase health, wealth and well-being for all people.
Community Environmental Initiatives
Local environmental planning has been implemented in Hamilton. Here are just some of the various community-driven initiatives:
- Community Tree-Planting
Participation in community tree planting activities encourages residents to plant trees throughout the city to expand the urban forest canopy.
The Council and City prioritize urban forest extension. Trees improve air and water quality, manage flooding and beautify cities. Trees provide wildlife habitat, reduce energy use and offer recreational opportunities. The City encourages the community to choose tree locations and remove barriers to planting.
- Adopt-a-Park
This effort involves a group of people caring for local parks. Adopt-a-Park volunteers come from corporations, service groups, schools and neighbourhood associations.
These groups maintain their park by cleaning up trash, establishing and tending gardens and reporting vandalism and graffiti. To be clean, safe, and beautiful, local green spaces need volunteers. These volunteers work with city officials to improve park facilities and create clean, safe parks.
Beautiful and lively neighbourhood parks and green spaces attract users and boost regional pride.
- Team Up to Clean Up
Team Up to Clean Up is a year-round community cleaning. Organizers will receive equipment for community cleanups through this waste reduction scheme. Special gloves, recycling bags and garbage bags are included.
Each year, around 25,000 Team Up to Clean Up volunteers spend over 45,000 hours cleaning the City. The program helps keep the community’s public places clean and safe. City parks, trails, alleyways, streets and parking lots can be selected by organizers for clean-up.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that Hamilton is trying to enhance its existing infrastructure’s environmental sustainability. The city is working towards a greener future. New green technology, trash reduction projects and air quality improvements are among these endeavours.
Although much work remains, their efforts have made progress. Hamilton keeps developing towards ecological sustainability for the city’s and people’s health and well-being.
