The Town of Ajax continues to be leaders in environmental sustainability. The Town of Ajax declared a climate emergency to acknowledge the impacts of climate change and reaffirm our commitment to mitigate and adapt to those impacts wherever possible.

Want to learn what you can do at home and in your day-to-day life to help you better respond to, and prepare, for the impacts of climate change? You can download the Resident’s Guide to Climate Resiliency developed by the Durham Environmental Advisory Committee.

Climate Adaptation

Durham Community Climate Adaptation Plan

The Durham Community Climate Adaptation Plan (DCCAP) is Durham's plan to prepare our community for climate change and extreme weather. Over 60 industry experts took part in identifying the local risks and consequences of our changing climate and developing solutions that will make our community resilient.

To learn more about climate change and mitigation plans, visit the Region's 'Climate Change, Energy and Resilience' web page. 

Ajax Climate Risk & Resiliency Plan

The Town of Ajax is committed to taking action on climate change and has developed the Ajax Climate Risk & Resiliency Plan and accompanying Implementation Strategy to ensure that the impacts of climate change on our community are addressed proactively and that resiliency is a top priority across the municipality. The Ajax Climate Risk & Resiliency Plan and accompanying Implementation Strategy lay out a 10-year vision to enable coordinated action and real progress in response to multiple climate related threats across a variety of sectors.
Climate Mitigation and Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Ajax Green Standard
Approved in April 2022, the Ajax Green Standard is a tiered municipal green standard that establishes sustainability-related performance measures and design guidelines for new development and redevelopment in the Town of Ajax.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Targets
In April 2021, Ajax Council unanimously passed a motion to establish new corporate GHG emission reduction targets that include:
  • 20% GHG emission reduction by 2025, below 2019 levels;
  • 40% GHG emission reductions by 2030, below 2019 levels;
  • 100% GHG emission reductions by 2050, below 2019 levels.
The motion also endorsed the Region of Durham’s community GHG emission reduction targets that include:
  • 10% GHG emission reduction by 2025, below 2019 levels;
  • 30% GHG emission reductions by 2030, below 2019 levels;
  • 100% GHG emission reductions by 2050, below 2019 levels.
 Energy Conservation

Ajax Energy Management Strategy

The Ajax Energy Management Strategy 2024 – 2029 (Strategy), in accordance with the updated regulation (O Reg. 25/23), serves as an update to the Town’s 2019 Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan. O Reg. 25/23 requires Broader Public Sector (BPS) organizations to develop an Energy Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) plan and update it every five years. The strategy was approved by Senior Management Team on June 26, 2024.

View Ajax Energy Management Strategy

View 2019 Energy Conservation & Demand Management Plan

Durham Community Energy Plan

The Durham Community Energy Plan (DCEP) is focused on transitioning Durham Region to a clean energy economy that has both economic and social benefits.

View the Durham Community Energy Plan.
Flooding and Extreme Weather

Most flooding occurs when the volume of water in a river or stream exceeds the capacity of that waterway. Learn more about flooding from rivers. Flooding also takes place along lake and coastal shorelines when higher than normal water levels occur. Due to the urban nature of the Greater Toronto Area, most rainfall becomes “stormwater runoff”, causing water levels in streams and rivers to rise quickly.

Climate change has increased the likelihood of more severe and frequent storm events, raising the risk of flooding. To learn more climate trends for Durham Region please visit Durham’s Future Climate page.

What Can You Do?

  • Be Prepared! You can prepare your home and family to respond to flooding and other types of extreme weather. Visit the Town of Ajax’s Emergency Preparation page to learn how you can prepare and respond to all types of emergency situations.
  • Understand the Risk! You can find out if you live in a flood prone area by searching on TRCA’s Flood Plain Map Viewer.
  • Stay Informed! Sign up to receive flood messages from Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority
  • Together we can take action to make our communities safer and more resilient to flooding. Visit Flood Ready Durham for more information.
  • Do Your Part! You can help to reduce the impact of flooding by incorporating natural infrastructure on your own property. Natural infrastructure solutions include planting trees, installing rain gardens, utilizing rain barrels, and integrating permeable paving can all help to reduce stormwater runoff and the impacts of flooding. To learn more about natural infrastructure solutions, visit Unflood Ontario

Extreme Heat

Intense heat can pose a real risk, potentially leading to heat-related illnesses if not handled correctly. Being able to identify the indicators of heat stress and knowing the necessary steps to prevent it is crucial.

What is heat stress?

Heat stress is a condition that occurs when the body becomes overheated due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures, often resulting in symptoms like dehydration, tiredness, and, in severe cases, heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

View the Durham Regions Extreme Heat & Humidity page to identify heat-related illness symptoms.

Stay Informed!

Naturalized Spaces

The Town prides itself as a leader in environmental sustainability by protecting the Greenlands System, establishing vegetation protection zones, and helping pollinators by supporting initiatives that encourage the planting of native trees, shrubs, and flowering plants.

In January 2023, Ajax Council passed a decision to identify three areas, throughout Ajax, for naturalization. Read the full resolution here.

What is naturalization?

Naturalization is a process that involves returning an altered or degraded site to a more natural condition through the planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers that are native to the area.
What are the benefits of naturalization?
Naturalization can provide habitat and enhance the abundance and diversity of wildlife including birds and other pollinators by reduced mowing. There is also an added benefit of reducing costs for property owners through decreased water and gas consumption and fewer greenhouse gas emissions associated with a reduction in the use of gas-powered lawn equipment.
What can you do?

Residents can preserve and enhance wildlife habitat by converting a portion of their property to a naturalized state using native plants.

Town by-laws allow for spaces to be naturalized by plants and flowers, while requiring grass and weeds be kept below 15 centimeters.
Areas identified for naturalization
YearPark Locations
 

 
2024
  • St. Patrick Park, west of park along the hill
  • Lexington Park, northside of park
  • Remmer Neighbourhood Park
  • Dennis O'Connor Park
2025
  • Horne Park Northside
  • Nottingham Park, along trail
  • Achillies Greenbelt
2026
  • Millers Creek, west of Sullivan Drive
  • Duffins Central Village, north side along hydro corridor
  • Greenwood Conservation Area, north flats
  • Westney Heights Park
  • Cedar Park
2027
  • Rossland Road (north of Marshall Crescent)
  • Nottingham Park
  • Kinsmen Park (north of parking lot)
2028
  • Mill Street, east of Church
  • Paulynn Park, on hill
  • Ajax Community Centre, south of current basketball court
 

See Open Space Naturalization Map 2024-2028