Victoria Richardson
City/Township Council · Waterloo Ward 5
Back to candidatesClimate & Sustainability
How should municipalities and the Region incorporate climate and sustainability into policy, including development and infrastructure decisions?select up to 3 per part
A. Perspective on climate change
- Climate change is an urgent and defining crisis of our time; reducing greenhouse gas emissions should be a primary consideration across municipal decision-making
- Climate change needs action and local governments can contribute in a few areas, but this is an issue better addressed at provincial and federal levels, Commitments passed by previous councils, like the 50x30 pledge or declarations of climate emergencies, should guide current council decision making
B. Building and development standards
- Where possible, require or incentivize energy efficiency standards in new development, beyond current provincial minimums, Require green infrastructure as part of development approvals (e.g. stormwater management, tree canopy, permeable surfaces)
- Use development agreements to require climate sustainability measures as a condition of approval
C. Infrastructure and capital planning
- Require climate risk and lifecycle cost analysis in major capital decisions
- Require an assessment of impacts on aquifer recharge
- Align municipal operations (fleet, facilities, procurement) with regional climate commitments
Describe one concrete policy, incentive, or decision you would prioritize to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Where possible, explain how it balances environmental goals with fiscal responsibility.candidate's own words
Sustainability changes that seem fiscally irresponsible must be evaluated for thier lifetime impact versus what it is replacing
Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on sustainability?candidate's own words
While provincial/federal level are nice but unlikely to happen, we can start by trialing it here and prove it works!