Overview
The Town of Georgina’s first-ever Climate Action Plan, approved by Council on June 4, 2025, outlines the risks caused by climate change and the priority actions for the corporation and broader community from 2026-2030. These actions will help Georgina adapt to current and future risks of climate change, protect Lake Simcoe, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to slow future climate change.
The Climate Action Plan contains six objectives:
- Protect vulnerable people and promote safe summer recreation during extreme heat
- Reduce Lake Simcoe nutrient loading for continued use and enjoyment
- Protect vulnerable people and adapt winter recreation to warmer and rainier winters
- Ensure infrastructure and lands can handle more intense one-day storms
- Reduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from buildings
- Reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from transportation
Hundreds of residents, staff and partners contributed to the development of the Climate Action Plan. Without their support and contributions, this plan would not reflect the realities and priorities in Georgina.
The actions will be integrated into the Town’s annual budget and business planning process over the next five years. As the Town continues to change and evolve, so will the plan, and the Town encourages residents and community partners to reach out with ideas and ways to get involved.
If you have questions or want to get involved, email climateaction@georgina.ca.
Town contact
Provide feedback and ask questions of the Town by emailing ClimateAction@georgina.ca.
Important links
Important links
Learn more about flooding safety tips, water, wastewater and stormwater projects, environment and sustainability, and tree preservation.
Refer to York Region’s Climate Change Action Plan and Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment.
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority has a Mitigation Strategy and Adaptation Strategy for the Lake Simcoe watershed.
Documents
Council Reports and Briefing Notes
Climate Change Action Plan Status Update to Mayor and Council – Nov. 20, 2024 – report; presentation
Climate Change Action Plan Priority Risks and Opportunities to Georgina Environmental Advisory Committee – Oct. 22, 2024 - presentation
Climate Change Action Plan Risks and Vulnerabilities to Georgina Agricultural Advisory Committee – June 25, 2024 – briefing note; presentation
Climate Change Action Plan Risks and Vulnerabilities to Georgina Economic Development Advisory Committee – June 24, 2024 - presentation
Climate Change Action Plan Threats and Opportunities to Georgina Environmental Advisory Committee – June 11, 2024 – briefing note; presentation
Project introduction to Georgina Environmental Advisory Committee on May 7, 2024 - briefing note; presentation
Frequently asked questions
What is climate change?
The United Nations definition of climate change provides a good explanation: “Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.
Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures.
The main greenhouse gases that are causing climate change include carbon dioxide and methane. These come from using gasoline for driving a car or coal for heating a building, for example. Clearing land and cutting down forests can also release carbon dioxide.”
How does climate change impact Georgina?
Climate change impacts many aspects of life in Georgina and around the globe. The purpose of the Climate Change Action Plan is to better understand these impacts and plan accordingly. Some examples of what these impacts might be include:
- Less predictable growing conditions for farmers (variable precipitation, temperature)
- More stormwater and extreme precipitation causing damage to buildings, roads and other infrastructure
- Impacts to physical health such as injuries during extreme weather events, heat illnesses and exposure to worsening air quality
- Impacts to mental health caused by feeling anxious, sad and/or scared about the future, or trauma from first-hand experience of extreme weather events
- Impacts on Lake Simcoe related to tourism, water level and quality and ice-free periods
What is climate action?
Climate action is participating in any of the thousands of solutions to prevent or adapt to climate change on an individual or group level. These can be reducing your carbon footprint by driving an e-bike instead of driving a fossil-fuel burning car, writing green building policies, or advocating to preserve wetlands. Climate action can be in the form of mitigation, which means preventing future impacts by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change. One example of this is increasing the energy efficiency of your home by installing a heat pump to replace a gas furnace. Climate action can also be in the form of adaptation, which means adapting to the impacts that climate change is already having such as strengthening the building codes to withstand more extreme weather. Many climate actions have co-benefits, which are benefits beyond reducing climate risk. For example: planting trees can provide habitat, food and prevent erosion in addition to absorbing carbon dioxide (mitigation) and providing shade (adaptation).
What is a Climate Change Action Plan?
A Climate Change Action Plan is a document outlining priority actions on climate change. The plan will identify the greatest risks to Georgina from climate change and corresponding actions that can prevent or reduce that risk. The Town’s Climate Change Action Plan will include climate mitigation and adaptation actions for the corporation and the community at large.
Why does Georgina need a Climate Change Action Plan?
During the 2023-27 Corporate Strategic Planning process, feedback from the public highlighted that taking care of the natural environment including Lake Simcoe is vital to community identity and well-being. The community emphasized the need to support Georgina’s resilience through environmental sustainability including preventing and adapting to climate change. Developing a Climate Change Action Plan was identified as a priority.
The main advantages of a Climate Change Action Plan are coordinating existing actions, strengthening partnerships, enhancing community engagement, and demonstrating leadership and vision on new initiatives. This will continue to make Georgina a great place to live, work and play.
Who is the Town engaging with to create the Climate Change Action Plan?
The Town is consulting a number of regional partners regarding climate risks and vulnerabilities, including the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and York Region. Local community organizations and the public are also key informants to ensure the plan reflects a range of perspectives and realities, and have been engaged throughout the summer 2024.