Hamilton council approves $3.26M investment for 16 local climate action projects

Hamilton City Council has approved $3.26 million from the city’s climate change reserve to support 16 projects.

The projects aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, expand the city’s urban forest, enhance parks and natural areas, to protect the environment and improve local quality of life.

“Hamiltonians are seeing the impacts of climate change in their daily lives, from extreme heat to more frequent severe weather,” said Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath in a statement. “By investing in projects that expand our urban forest, improve energy efficiency and protect our natural environment, we’re taking practical steps to build a healthier, more resilient city, while supporting residents today and into the future.”

Some of the projects and investments approved include:

• $1.5 million for Heat Pump Hot Water Tank Project with CityHousing Hamilton, where older gas water heaters in low-rise units and multi-level residential buildings will get older water heaters replaced;
• $400,000 for Affordable Housing Acquisition Plan Retrofits, where the city will use funding to make affordable housing more energy efficient and keep rents low;
• $300,000 for Bird Friendly Window Glazing Study and Implementation, a project checking buildings where birds are most at risk and put solutions in place to make them safer for birds over time;
• $250,000 for Tree Canopy and Industry Initiative, a program that will plant more trees in industrial and commercial areas, expanding Hamilton’s urban forest canopy cover;
• $180,000 for Open Space Management and;
• $108,000 for Public Health’s “Cool Kits” and “Cool Neighbours Pilot Program”, which will provide residents — especially those without cooling at home — basic tools to keep cool and build neighbourhood networks, so residents can check in on others during extreme heat events.

Hamilton’s climate change reserve was established in 2018 to fund the city’s approved climate change goals.

“Hamilton took an important step in 2019 by declaring a climate emergency, and we continue to act with a clear plan to address the real impacts our community is facing,” said director of Climate Change Initiatives Lynda Lukasik in a statement. “With the Climate Change Reserve funding and a strong, transparent review process, we’re investing in projects that cut emissions, build resilience and deliver meaningful benefits for residents.”

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