Climate change is affecting communities through rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and increased pressure on infrastructure, natural systems, and public health. Municipalities play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and preparing communities for the impacts of a changing climate.
Climate change adaptation focuses on strengthening resilience and reducing risks to infrastructure, services, the environment, and community well-being as climate conditions continue to change. Climate change mitigation focuses on reducing or avoiding GHG emissions to help limit the severity of climate change.
The City is advancing a range of climate action and sustainability initiatives focused on both mitigation and adaptation. These initiatives support more sustainable municipal operations while also helping residents, businesses, and the broader community transition toward a low-carbon and climate-resilient future.
The Community & Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emissions -
2026 Annual Progress Update provides a transparent, evidence-based assessment of GHG emissions trends and climate action progress. Highlights include:
- Community emissions: 4% below 2018 baseline.
- Community per-capita emissions: 14% below 2018 baseline.
- Corporate emissions: 2.3% above 2022 baseline.
- Landfill gas collection remains one of the City's largest sources of emissions reductions.
Climate Change Mitigation
Climate change is driven by the buildup of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and natural gas. These emissions trap heat and contribute to global warming.
Climate change mitigation refers to actions that reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to slow the pace of climate change. This includes transitioning to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and supporting low-carbon transportation. The goal is to limit global warming and avoid the most severe climate impacts.
Barrie has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, aligning with national and international climate targets established through the Paris Agreement. In 2019, City Council declared a climate emergency and has since advanced initiatives to reduce emissions in both municipal operations and the broader community.
Did you know?
The City's Conservation & Demand Management Plan is updated every five years, and the City reports annually on its energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
Corporate Climate Change Mitigation
Community Climate Change Mitigation
Climate Action Milestones
The City has been committed to climate action for over two decades. Climate change is a complex issue that affects all aspects of our lives and requires coordinated action on multiple fronts. The City is addressing this challenge through both climate change mitigation—reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—and climate change adaptation—increasing resilience to the impacts of a changing climate. By acting on both fronts, the City is taking a leadership role: lowering emissions from its own operations, strengthening the resilience of municipal assets, and supporting community-wide efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to climate risks. Below is a brief overview of key milestones the City has achieved in advancing local climate action.
- 2001 – Climate Mitigation Network
The City joins FCM and ICLEI Canada’s Partners for Climate Protection program. - 2006 – Climate Plan & GHG Inventory
Completion of the City’s first Community and Corporate GHG Emissions Reduction Plan. - 2019 – Climate Emergency Declaration
Council declares a climate emergency, joining over 500 municipalities across Canada. - 2020 – Bicycle Infrastructure Expansion
New bike lanes, urban shoulders, sidewalks, and trails added across the city. - 2022 – Circular Economy Strategy
Completion and approval of the City’s first Circular Economy Strategy. - 2022 – Community Energy & GHG Reduction Plan
Approval of the updated Community Energy and GHG Emissions Reduction Plan. - 2023 – Electrify Barrie Program
Launch of the Electrify Barrie Program to support the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).
Climate Action Networks
The City is an active member of several organizations that promote climate action and foster collaboration among municipalities across Ontario and Canada. These networks support local governments in advancing sustainability initiatives, sharing best practices, and working collectively toward climate goals. The following are key networks in which the City actively participates: