Who's Taking Action?

Climate change affects us all. Greater Sudbury has joined the ranks of thousands of municipalities around the world taking action to reduce energy and GHG emissions and stimulate a green economy.

Achieving a net-zero Greater Sudbury by 2050 will rely on the combined efforts of the entire community – government, businesses, not-for-profits and residents. Here are some of the actions currently underway.

Want to add your organization’s efforts? Email earthcare@greatersudbury.ca or fill out the form on our Over to You page.

Compact Complete Communities


Goal 1

Achieve energy efficiency and emissions reductions by creating compact, complete communities through infill developments, decreasing dwelling size through an increase in multi-family buildings, and increasing building type mix.
 

Organization Project Timeline/Status  
City of Greater Sudbury  Tiny/Small Home Review Short term (1-2 years); in progress   
  Commercial Parking Standards Review  Short term (1-2 years); in progress  
  Lasalle Boulevard Corridor Study - Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment  Short term (1-2 years); in progress  
  Residential Parking Review Short term (1-2 years); in progress  
  Official Plan Review Phase 2 Short term (1-2 years); in progress  

Efficient Buildings


Goal 2

Periodically increase the energy efficiency of new buildings until all new buildings in 2030 onward are Passive House energy efficiency compliant.

Organization Project Timeline/Status  
City of Greater Sudbury  Monitor local green building trends Short term (1-2 years); planned  
  Education on Building Permit Requirements for Changes in Heat Source Short term (1-2 years); planned   
  Develop a GSHC apartment building that meets Passive House standard. Short term (1-2 years); planned  

 

Goal 3

The existing building stock is retrofit for 50% increased energy efficiency by 2040 and large buildings are routinely recommissioned.

Organization Project Timeline/Status  
City of Greater Sudbury  Install regenerative elevators in one Greater Sudbury Housing Corporation building  Short term (1-2 years); not yet started  
  Conversion to more energy efficient boilers in GSHC buildings Short term (1-2 years); planned  
  Implement optimization strategy of GSHC housing stock. Short term (1-2 years); planned  
  Feasibility Study on Community Efficiency Financing Short term (1-2 years); not yet started   

 

Goal 4

Achieve net-zero emissions in City buildings by 2040.

Organization Project Timeline/Status  
City of Greater Sudbury Conduct an energy audit for the older section of Pioneer Manor identified for bed redevelopment Short term (1-2 years); not yet started  
  Continue to undertake energy retrofits as required at Pioneer Manor Medium/long term (~3+ years); not yet started   
  Conduct infrared scan of roof at Pioneer Manor Short term (1-2 years); not yet started  
  Bed redevelopment at Pioneer Manor Medium term (~3 years); not yet started  
  Assess efficacy of energy efficient technology for arenas Short term (1-2 years); in progress at 2 arenas, others in planning stage  
  Assess efficacy of laser system for standard ice thickness In progress  
  Use of building automation Long term (4-5 years); not yet started  

Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste


Goal 5

Decrease energy use in the potable water treatment and distribution system by up to 60%by 2050.

Organization Project Timeline/Status  
City of Greater Sudbury  Finalize Water/Wastewater Assessment Management Plan Short term (1-2 years); in progress   
  Apply energy-efficiency lens for routine equipment maintenance and replacement In progress  
  Develop Best Operating Practices/Best Operating Guidelines (Operational Excellence)  Ongoing  
  Conduct a full capital needs assessment for the Valley. Short term (1-2 years); in progress  
  Inflow & Infiltration Reduction Plan In progress  
  Mobile District Metered Area Testing Short term (1-2 years); in progress  

 

Goal 6

Achieve 90% solid waste diversion by 2050. An organics and biosolids anaerobic digestion facility is operational by 2030.

Organization Project Timeline/Status  
City of Greater Sudbury  Anaerobic Digester System - Ongoing Review Short term (1-2 years); in progress  
  Develop a single-use plastics strategy, especially relating to water (e.g., straws, bottled water) Medium term (~3 years); in progress  
  Feasibility study for a small biodigester in the Valley (might be initiated by Environmental Services).
Medium term (~3 years); not yet started 
 

 

Low-Carbon Transportation


Goal 7

Enhance transit service to increase transit mode share to 25% by 2050.

Organization Project Timeline/Status  
City of Greater Sudbury  Transit Technology Improvements Recurring; planned  
  Major Mobility Hub Infrastructure Improvements  Recurring; not yet started   

 

Goal 8

Achieve 35% active mobility transportation mode share by 2050

Organization Project Timeline/Status
City of Greater Sudbury  Paris-Notre Dame Bikeway Construction In progress 
  Annual Active Transportation Infrastructure Improvements  In progress
  Traffic Signal System Renewal In progress
  LED Streetlight Conversion In progress
Rainbow Routes Assocation  Trails and Non-Motorized Routes Development and Promotion  Ongoing


Goal 9

Electrify 100% of transit and city fleet by 2035

Organization Project Timeline/Status
City of Greater Sudbury  Electric Vehicle Procurement Short term (1-2 years)
  Drone Pilot Program  Short term (1-2 years); planned term 

 

Goal 10

100% of new vehicle sales are electric by 2030.

Organization Project Timeline/Status
Electric Vehicle Society, Sudbury  Electric Vehicle Education and Awareness Campaign  In progress/ongoing  

 

Industrial Efficiency

Goal 11

Increase industrial energy efficiency by 50% by 2040.Support local industrial efforts to reduce energy use and GHG emissions

Local Clean Energy Generation

Organization Project Timeline/Status
City of Greater Sudbury Assess the potential to expand landfill gas collection to Azilda and Hanmer landfill sites Medium term (~3 years); not yet started

 

Goal 12

Establish a renewable energy cooperative (REC) to advance solar energy systems and other renewable energy efforts of the CEEP.

Goal 13
Install 10 MW of ground mount solar PV each year, starting in 2022.

Goal 14

Install net metered solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on 90% of new buildings and 80% of existing buildings, supplying 50% of their electric load. 

Goal 15
Expand the downtown district energy system to 23 MW capacity.

Organization Project Timeline/Status
City of Greater Sudbury  Expand district energy  Long term (4-5 years); not yet started

 
Goal 16

Install 50 MW of renewable energy storage.
 

Low-Carbon Energy Procurement

Goal 17

Procure 100% of community-wide grid electricity and 75% of natural gas demand from renewable sources by 2050.

Organization Project Timeline/Status  
City of Greater Sudbury  Develop a green procurement strategy/plan  Short term (1-2  years); planned   

Carbon Sequestration

Goal 18
Increase the reforestation efforts of the Regreening Program.

Organization Project Timeline/Status  
City of Greater Sudbury  Develop a Regreening Master Plan  Medium term (~3 years); not yet started   
  Enhance carbon sequestration through soil creation  Medium term (~3 years); not yet started  
       

 

Other Carbon Sequestration Projects

Organization Project Timeline/Status
Junction Creek Stewardship Committee  Restoring impaired habitats and green spaces along Junction Creek  Ongoing 

 

 

Other Actions

Organization Project Timeline/Status
Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury

Net Zero Sudbury: Online presence and Community Engagement

In progress/ongoing
Sudbury Shared Harvest Establishing Edible Forests, forest gardens and educational opportunities In progress/ongoing