Windsor is reducing emissions ahead of its 2041 goal — but that could change, staff say
Council expected to review report on program to retrofit homes this year
Windsor's greenhouse gas emissions are continuing to drop — but city staff caution the change might be the lingering effects of pandemic restrictions.
Community-wide emissions dropped by 20 per cent in 2022 compared to the 2014 baseline year, according to a city staff report headed to council's environment and transportation committee next week.
That puts Windsor ahead of schedule as it aims to reduce 40 per cent of emissions by 2041, part of a council-endorsed community energy plan.
But, the total volume of emissions has plateaued since pandemic restrictions were introduced in 2020.
Those restrictions led to reduced vehicle traffic when officials shut down workplaces, reducing emissions overall.
The staff report says the pandemic played a big role in reducing emissions and that it may have a moderate impact on the 2022 emissions.
As the community returns to normal, the city will need to follow what it called "ambitious climate actions and programs," staff say.
The City of Windsor, as a corporation, makes up around two per cent of the community's emissions and isn't on track to meet the 2041 target.
Total emissions are up nearly six per cent compared to the 2014 baseline year, largely caused by a wastewater treatment facility that Windsor took over in 2019.
The biosolids processing facility pulls a sludge-like substance from Windsor's wastewater and turns it into pellets for fertilizer.
In doing so, it produces emissions equal to 12.85 per cent of the city's overall total.
City working on solutions
A key part of the plan to reduce community-wide emissions in Windsor is upgrading aging homes with energy-efficient technology and materials.
The average home in Windsor was built in 1960 and uses 20 per cent more energy than an average Ontario home, the report notes.
Council is expected to look at a business case for a Deep Energy Retrofit program later this year that will make homes 30 to 50 per cent more efficient.
The staff report stated a goal of retrofitting 80 per cent of homes by 2041.
Council approved hiring a consultant to develop the business case in 2019.
That business case will be used to build a similar program for businesses and public buildings once it's reviewed by council.
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