Centre for Climate Change Management hosting public forum on June 27

HAMILTON – The Centre for Climate Change Management (CCCM) at Mohawk College is hosting an important public forum on June 27 – the culmination of an intense stakeholder engagement process that began in March of this year. The CCCM has a mission to accelerate the region’s advancements to a low-carbon economy to ensure a thriving, resilient region for its citizens for generations to come. The public is being invited to review the results of the stakeholder discussions and recommendations for the formation of the Bay Area Climate Change Office and action priorities going forward. June 27 is a key opportunity for citizens to provide their input.

The CCCM was created following some deep thinking at the 2016 Bay Area Economic Summit, as a regional response to shared goals for climate action. All participants will operationalize their climate and energy-related plans and implementation through regional partnership and with Bay Area stakeholders. The CCCM has three programs, addressing different aspects and all designed to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Bay Area Climate Change Office (BACCO) is the public catalyst program, charged with opening the doors and inviting the community in to share opinions, goals, concerns and ideas. This stakeholder input is helping the partnership to design a structure for the BACCO organization and inform key priorities for a regional action plan. The session is free and all are welcome to participate in creating a stronger, healthier future and economy.

“Climate change is one of, if not the, greatest threats we face, the biggest risks but is also the biggest community and business opportunity of our era,” says Sandi Stride, Executive Director, Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College. “The need to reduce carbon pollution and address the impacts of climate change are the greatest drivers of innovation and new jobs in the world today. The actions we need to take to reduce carbon emissions will also be the major contributors to our long-term health and wellness. We are collaborating with as many members of the community as possible, as we need the diversity of ideas and community participation to address this extremely complex issue. to make this opportunity have a lasting impact. We are not waiting to drive change – the right time is now.”

The information, feedback and priorities generated through the session on June 27 will allow BACCO to co-ordinate regional efforts to mitigate climate change and position the Bay Area to prosper in the low-carbon economy. How boldly the region responds to climate change will determine whether it can have a resilient, thriving community going forward. The Centre for Climate Change Management is the first of its kind in Ontario, and is a partnership of Mohawk College, the City of Hamilton, the City of Burlington, Sustainable Hamilton Burlington, with funding from the Province of Ontario.

“Through its 25-year strategic plan, Burlington is committed to partnering with the community and all levels of government to work towards the goal of being a net carbon-neutral city,” said Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring. “The development of the Bay Area Climate Change Office will help to guide and engage residents, institutions and businesses to take actions that will mitigate climate change and improve the quality of life in our city.”

“The City of Hamilton is a committed partner to the Centre of Climate Change Management. Climate change is already impacting our community and this type of powerful collaboration will help accelerate innovation and climate action ensuring the prosperity of the Bay Area’s community and economy,” said Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger. “I strongly encourage organizations, businesses and citizens to attend the forum on June 27 to have their say on climate change action across the cities of Hamilton and Burlington.”

The event on June 27 is from 6 to 8 pm at Royal Botanical Gardens. Shared transportation, cycling or public transit is encouraged. To learn more and register for free, visit the Eventbrite page.

Fascinating facts:

• Mohawk was the first college in Ontario to adopt an Environmental Management Plan in 2011. Mohawk exceeded its 20 per cent reduction target for baseline carbon emissions six years ahead of schedule and has since adopted a new EMP with more aggressive reduction targets. The College has been awarded recognition as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for five years in a row.
• Burlington’s Community Energy Plan is a 20-year plan, and was created with support from local community stakeholders. The plan outlines a roadmap to help the community conserve energy, reduce its carbon footprint, commit to a sustainable and secure supply of energy, and improve energy resilience. It provides a plan of action for today, and creates an active forum for collaboration to achieve shared goals over longer timeframes.
• The Hamilton Climate Change Action Plan is comprised of 10 priority actions aimed at reducing local greenhouse gas emissions by 283,467 tonnes of CO2, creating savings of $69.1 million for households, businesses and government, and creating the equivalent of 1,123 full-time jobs in Hamilton.
• Sustainable Hamilton Burlington is a non-profit social enterprise focused on supporting businesses through education, empowering support and credible recognition in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

For more information, contact:

• Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College: Sandi Stride, Executive Director, 905-575-1212, ext. 4323, [email protected]
• City of Hamilton – Trevor Imhoff, Senior Project Manager – Air Quality and Climate Change, 905-546-2424, ext. 1308, [email protected]
• City of Burlington – Lynn Robichaud, Senior Sustainability Coordinator - Staff Representative, 905-335-7600, ext. 7931, [email protected]