Climate Change Advisory Committee - February 24, 2026

High-level summary

The meeting work focused on approving routine agenda items, managing a postponed delegation, and advancing climate-action governance and citizen engagement. Key decisions included approving the agenda and December minutes, deferring a delegation due to illness, and pursuing motions related to carbon budgeting, the CCAC-to-CLG transition, and related advisory processes, with ongoing opportunities for public input and volunteer involvement.

Five most important topics (with impact on residents)

1) Carbon Budgeting and Accounting Framework - The update centered on aligning the city’s carbon accounting with a structured framework intended to track emissions across city projects. Trevor outlined the approach, and Luchia signaled a motion to advance the framework, stating: “The most important part is the accounting process behind it and how the city proposes to move forward systematically on calculating and quantifying its climate impacts on all city projects.” - Public engagement implications were emphasized, as staff anticipate presenting to the General Issues Committee (GIC) and inviting feedback before final adoption.

2) Transition from Climate Change Advisory Committee (CCAC) to a Community Liaison Group (CLG) - Discussion focused on finishing the CCAC term with a final date in September or transitioning members to the CLG, aiming for a more flexible community engagement structure. Trevor summarized the staff recommendation: “The recommendation is to allow the CCAC to finish their term as a formal advisory committee with that final date in September.” - Public input and consultation were noted as part of shaping the transition and ensuring community voices remain engaged through the new CLG.

3) Green Development Standards and Decarbonization - The group examined how green development standards will be implemented, including whether municipalities can enforce mandatory standards or rely on voluntary measures, with concerns about tracking and accountability. A key point was: “That’s going to be a critical aspect of whether municipalities can move this forward or if they’re forced into this voluntary world, in which case tracking is going to be an issue.” - This topic affects residents through potential changes to building practices, developer requirements, and local environmental performance.

4) Better Homes Hamilton and Retrofit Financing - The program update covered energy-efficiency retrofits and the administrative mechanics of attaching loan costs to property tax bills. Katherine noted the financing and bylaws process, including the need for bylaws to formalize loan attachments: “We had to go to GIC in order for council to be able to approve a bylaw that allows the city to place the loan amounts on the participants’ property tax bills.” - The timing for a second batch and the integration into tax bills will directly influence homeowners’ loan repayment and program uptake.

5) Public Input and Engagement for Climate Action Strategy Updates - The meetings highlighted the importance of early and ongoing public input in climate planning, with emphasis on community perspectives feeding into strategy updates. Luchia stressed community involvement: “We’re being very proactive on this right now and sharing recommendations that we’ve got already,” and attendees were encouraged to provide comments and feedback as updates progress. - This outreach shapes how residents can influence climate actions and related policy directions.

Opportunities for public input

• Attend General Issues Committee (GIC) meetings when related presentations occur, and provide feedback on carbon budgeting and accounting frameworks.
• Submit input on climate action strategy updates (HCAS) via email or through committee channels to influence staff work before formal adoption.
• Volunteer opportunities exist for advisory and review processes (e.g., Climate Change Reserve review committee) with explicit timelines (e.g., applications by March 6) and roles for residents.

Motions and outcomes (titles and outcomes)

• Approval of Agenda
  • Outcome: Passed unanimously.
• Approval of December 9th Meeting Minutes
  • Outcome: Passed unanimously.
• Rescheduling of Leaf Fairbanks’ Delegation
  • Outcome: Deferred to a future meeting.
• Review of Draft Presentation for General Issues Committee
  • Outcome: Ongoing discussion; input requested and presentation to be finalized.
• Motion to Approve Presentation for General Issues Committee
  • Outcome: Passed. Ian or Gabby to deliver the presentation in March (as part of item seven).
• Motion to Approve Climate Change Advisory Committee 2026 Schedule
  • Outcome: Deferred. Additional input being collected.
• Call for Volunteers for Climate Change Reserve Review Committee
  • Outcome: Ongoing; volunteers being recruited with review starting after March 6.
• Motion to Establish Review Committee for Applications
  • Outcome: Volunteers identified (Zach, Mary Ellen, and potentially Jeff); Jeff’s participation to be confirmed.
• Better Homes Hamilton Program updates (bylaw/financing context)
  • Outcome: No formal motion passed; timeline and next steps acknowledged (April 15 GIC for second batch; September pilot reporting).
• Transition/Delegation on CCAC to CLG
  • Outcome: Pending; staff recommendations and alternatives to be reviewed before final decision.

Councillors present

• Alex Wilson
• Ian
• Gabby
• Biote
• Sue
• Zach
• Tristan
• Shelley
• Luchia

Note: Absences included Casar, Croach, Jeff, Frank, Jordan, Juliana, Jesse, Aditia, and Mary Ellen, per the meeting summaries.