Municipalities are influential drivers of broader climate action

Towns including Newmarket and Aurora are embedding sustainability into growth plans, events planning, and infrastructure choices

When we think of climate action, our minds often leap to federal governments or massive international agreements. The truth is municipalities — our cities, towns, and local councils — are among the most effective levers for real change, both globally and here in Ontario.

Globally, cities are stepping up. Networks like the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy unite hundreds of cities worldwide that voluntarily commit to cutting emissions and increasing resilience, often going beyond national policies. Cities shape emissions in ways national governments cannot. They control land use, public transit, building codes, waste management, and energy distribution, collectively responsible for a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Despite being cornered in by provincial legislation of bills 23, 5, 17, and now Bill 98, the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, in its second reading, municipalities are trying to take bold steps to protect the environment and public health with sustainable solutions. Many towns have joined forces to urge the province to reduce salt pollution in freshwater, a growing threat to drinking water and aquatic life. Local councils have passed resolutions calling for legislative action, demonstrating the power of municipal advocacy to influence provincial policy.

Municipalities are also tackling waste and resource management. York Region’s waste diversion vision sets ambitious targets for reducing landfill use, improving recycling, and creating circular economy opportunities for residents and businesses. It and northern municipalities are pushing back against the inequities of the new provincial blue bin system that could lead to greater waste because of its inefficiencies. This shows local leadership can drive sustainable practices citizens experience in their everyday lives.

Green building standards are another area where municipalities are leading. Many cities now require sustainable design measures for new construction permits, including energy efficiency, stormwater management, and low-carbon materials. By embedding these standards into permitting processes, municipalities like Newmarket and Aurora ensure growth itself contributes to climate solutions.

Tourism can drive economic growth, but without careful management, it can also carry a significant environmental footprint. Around the world, cities are adopting measures to align tourism with climate goals and local quality of life. Venice, Italy, has introduced entry fees and limits on large cruise ships to protect fragile heritage sites; Cannes, France, has restricted large vessel docking to reduce port pollution; and Paris has increased tourist levies to fund sustainable transportation and climate adaptation.

In Canada, municipalities are following suit. Vancouver, Whistler and Tofino, B.C., and Mont-Tremblant, Que., have expanded visitor taxes to ease pressure on infrastructure and ecosystems, while, in 2026, major cities including Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal and Québec City are introducing or increasing accommodation taxes to support infrastructure, services, and climate resilience.

Montreal has developed a sustainable tourism framework aligned with its climate plan and recognized with global sustainability certifications, showing that proactive local strategy can make tourism part of a city’s climate solution rather than its problem. In national parks, communities are also adapting. In Banff National Park, where millions of visitors once overwhelmed roads and services, local and park authorities have introduced timed entry systems, shuttle services, and permit checks to reduce vehicle congestion and preserve sensitive ecosystems. Charlottetown now has a real-time emissions reductions tracker on its website.

Here in Newmarket, as it receives wider awards for special events, the demand for more central parking is carefully weighed against environmental impact. Many events have become pedestrian-only, and the town encourages recycling, water stations, and annual cleanup days to keep highly populated areas clean. Aurora is encouraging these things, too, though less pronounced.

Parks in both municipalities are increasingly being connected by trails, encouraging tourism while protecting natural areas and reducing vehicle emissions through active transportation.

Next steps could include electric shuttle buses from across town for central events to reduce traffic in the core, extending the timeframes for pedestrian-only zones, mandating compostable containers for fast food, and incorporating solar panels or kinetic energy sources with battery storage for lighting. If Coldplay on tour can do it …

These examples demonstrate our municipalities are not just implementers. They are innovators, advocates, and stewards of change. They influence everything from freshwater protection and waste diversion to green building and sustainable tourism, often achieving measurable outcomes national policies cannot. Their collective voice, local action, and experimental projects show climate leadership is as much local as it is global.

Supporting municipalities is essential in the fight against climate change. By empowering cities and towns, we empower communities to lead, innovate, and demonstrate climate solutions can be practical, measurable, and transformative, starting right in our own backyards.

Climate Action Newmarket-Aurora will host a town hall on May 6 called Local Action Brings Hope.

Read this article on Newmarket Today.