Waterloo Region – Reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, more efficient services, cost savings and better protection from the impacts of climate change are some of the benefits residents can expect from the Region of Waterloo’s new Corporate Climate Action Plan (CorCAP). 

The CorCAP is part of the Region’s Growing with Care Strategic Plan under the priority of “climate-aligned growth.” It’s a long-term plan to reduce emissions from the Region’s own operations and to reach net-zero emissions from energy use by 2050. The plan supports sustainable growth, community-wide climate action goals and economic resilience for today and future generations. 

“Investing in climate action today is an investment in the wellbeing of our residents tomorrow,” said Regional Chair Karen Redman. “This plan demonstrates how the Region will lead by example—through cleaner buildings, greener fleets, and sustainable infrastructure—to ensure Waterloo Region continues to be a place where people can thrive.”  

CorCAP outlines actions the Region will take to reduce its operating emissions across four key areas: 

1. Buildings – Achieve net-zero energy emissions from regional facilities by 2050. 
2. Waste, Water, and Wastewater – Reduce methane and innovate to lower emissions in essential services. 
3. Fleet & Transportation – Transition to low-carbon vehicles and improve transit and active transportation (an important note: while emissions may temporarily rise due to the Region’s transit expansion, this is a planned and positive step toward broader community climate goals, reducing the need for individual car trips and enhancing public transit accessibility). 
4. Capacity Building – Embed climate considerations into decision-making and grow internal climate literacy. 

“This plan is a product of collaboration across all departments,” said Region of Waterloo Acting CAO, Mathieu Goetzke. “Each team has a role to play in reaching our targets and delivering meaningful change for our community. The plan also allows for a flexible approach to decarbonization investments that considers affordability, technological advancements, opportunities for local partnerships, and municipal services for a growing community.” 

The CorCAP focuses on climate mitigation, which means reducing the pollution that causes climate change by using more renewable energy, improving buildings and services and adopting greener technologies.

Aligning with local and regional climate strategies, including TransformWR, the CorCap reflects the wider community’s commitment to climate-aligned growth—reflecting one of the four key priorities of the Region’s 2023–2027 Strategic Plan. 

With the new plan approved by Council, the Region will begin integrating CorCAP actions into its operational and financial planning processes. This includes:

• Establishing net-zero standards for new buildings and retrofits. 
• Launching a Green Fleet Policy. 
• Increasing renewable energy use and reducing resource waste. 
• Rolling out a climate accountability framework to ensure that climate change lens is applied to Regional decision-making.

Annual progress updates, performance indicators and annual GHG reports will help ensure transparency and accountability as the Region implements the plan.  

More information about the Region of Waterloo’s Corporate Climate Action Plan can be found on our website.  

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