Environment
Environment
We Want Your Input on Windsor's Environment!
The City of Windsor is looking for the public's input on the state of our environment.
Residents are welcome until the end of June to take part in a survey that will help contribute to the latest Report On the State of our Environment (ROSE). This is the fourth ROSE since 2008 and is identified in Windsor’s Environmental Master Plan (EMP) as a way to monitor the EMP’s implementation and progress. It allows the City to track specific environmental indicators over time, and it is hoped that the indicators will improve as a result of changes to corporate policy and operations as well as community action.
This report on the environment will reflect the realignment of goals set out in the 2017 EMP, including the separation of air and water quality into two separate goals to allow a specific focus on each element. This report provides trends in data collected since 2007 and will continue to be updated every four or five years.
As part of the reporting process, residents are asked to take part in the Environmental Attitudes Survey, which will provide insight into residents’ current attitudes and opinions about Windsor’s environment. The results will assist the City in prioritizing actions and making decisions that affect the community and impact the local environment.
Help us build our Report On the State of our Environment and take the survey today!
Environmental Master Plan
Homeowner Reminders to Help Save your Sewer
Have you recently received a door hanger of educational information on fats, oils and grease (FOG) and "flushable" wipes? The Public Works Department wants to share some reminders about how to help protect your home's plumbing and your sewer connections, more specifically, what you should avoid flushing down your sink drains and toilets. For more detailed information, visit our web pages on FOG and "Flushable" Wipes or click the image below to see our door hanger.
Climate Change Emergency Declaration
On Monday, November 18, 2019, City Council unanimously agreed to declare a climate change emergency in Windsor. The City of Windsor joined over 400 communities across Canada with its declaration. The Climate Change Emergency Declaration is a great step forward as we continue to prepare for Windsor-Essex's climate future.
In response to the Climate Change Emergency Declaration, administration prepared a report titled Acceleration of Climate Change Actions in response to the Climate Change Emergency Declaration. Council approved this report on May 4, 2020.
Climate Change Adaptation Update
The City of Windsor's updated 2020 Climate Change Adaptation Plan and Climate Change Impacts in Windsor - A Technical Document were approved by City Council on Monday, June 15, 2020.
You can also read the City's 2012 Climate Change Adaptation Plan and Appendices or visit the Adaptation website to learn more.
Community Energy Plan
The Community Energy Plan was approved by City Council on Monday, July 17, 2017. For more information, please visit the Community Energy Plan web pages. Or, check out our videos, available in the shorter Community Energy Plan Ad or our full-length Community Energy Plan Education Video! 
Residential Deep Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program
The energy we consume to heat, cool, and power our homes accounts for 22% of Windsor's total energy use and 21% of Windsor's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions according to the 2019 Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
In alignment with The City of Windsor's Community Energy Plan (CEP) Strategy 1, the Residential Deep Energy Efficiency Retrofit program has ambitious targets to significantly reduce the overall greenhouse gas emissions of Windsor's residential sector and provide visible energy cost savings to homeowners. The program aims to accomplish the following:
- Retrofit 80% of all homes (single-detached, semi-detached, and townhomes) built prior to 2018 and at least 20 years old at the time of application.
- Achieve an average of 20% improvement in water efficiency, 35% improvement in energy efficiency, and up to 60% reduction in GHG emissions
- Offer standardized home retrofit packages to address the most common high-energy uses in homes (i.e. space heating, water heating, heat loss through building envelop [walls, windows, doors, roofs, etc.])
Community Engagement: Stay tuned for our community engagement schedule.
2017 Windsor Report on the State of the Environment
City approves Sustainable Purchasing Policy and Guide
Wastewater: Where does it go?
Visit our Environmental Services pages to learn about wastewater treatment and how to properly dispose of waste products. The City of Windsor's Downspout Disconnection program is also available for residents who would like to divert clean rainwater collected on the roof from the sewer system.
Environment History
Background
In 2005, the City of Windsor started on the path of environmental actions with its first Environmental Master Plan. The City then developed many other plans to help balance the environment with Windsor’s economy and social atmosphere.
The Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Office has helped make the environment a part of decision making for the City of Windsor. This has been through the creation of many plans and policies, which include:
- Environmental Master Plan (2017)
- Climate Change Adaptation Plan (2012)
- Community Energy Plan (2017)
- Corporate Climate Action Plan (2017)
- Report on the State of Our Environment (2017)
- Green the Fleet Manual (2012)
- Community Garden Policy
- Sustainable Purchasing Guide (2015)
Responsibility
The Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Office is responsible for spearheading the different environmentally focused plans of the City of Windsor. The plans the Office is responsible for are:
- Environmental Master Plan (2017)
- Community Energy Plan (2017)
- Corporate Climate Action Plan (2017)
- Climate Change Adaptation Plan (2012)
The Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Office also conducts regular public engagements to ensure the community’s knowledge and awareness of different environmental topics. The office is also responsible in part for the development and support of community gardens in the City of Windsor. The Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Office aims to promote environmentally responsible behaviours for both the Corporation of the City of Windsor and the Windsor community.
The image below and background above show the different plans by the City of Windsor that the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Office is involved in. Although the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Office has three core plans, it has provided input on a number of other plans. This helps indicate that the environment is embedded throughout the City of Windsor; many of these other plans involve the public, which indicates that the environment is also the responsibility of Windsor residents.
Environmental Master Plan
Community Energy Plan
Climate Change Mitigation
Climate Change Adaptation
Climate change adaptation consists of actions that are conducted in response to impacts of climate change. Windsor has started experiencing the effects of climate change, for example, more severe storms with flooding as a consequence. The City of Windsor is working to continually to identify the possible impacts of climate change. In 2012, the City of Windsor approved the Climate Change Adaptation Plan. In 2018, the City of Windsor is undertaking a review/redevelopment of the Climate Change Adaptation Plan: Degrees of Change. An example of an adaptation measure being studied for the plan are shade structures.