Climate Adaptation Plan

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Climate Change Action in Lincoln

In May 2021, Town of Lincoln Council passed a motion to immediately declare a climate crisis in Lincoln. Council recognizes the urgent need to take action to mitigate the effects of climate change and to deepen the Town’s commitment to protecting its economy, ecosystems, and community from climate change. You can read the resolution here.

Climate change is already having an impact on global economies, communities, and built and natural environments. It remains the most significant global threat to quality of life and security – for current and future generations. Bold and collective action at global, national, and community levels is required to effect change, build resilience, mitigate future threats, and ensure a prosperous future for generations to come.

The Town of Lincoln aims to take such action and contribute to the global shift towards sustainable growth and resilience. The Corporate Climate Adaptation Plan (CCAP) has been developed by the Town of Lincoln as a guideline to support and inform climate adaptation at the corporate municipal level. It will outline how the municipality as a corporation will adapt its assets, operations, and services to the current and future impacts of climate change. 

Message from Mayor Sandra Easton

"One of the four pillars of our Council Priorities is to be a Resilient Community, and as part of that pillar we have set out the goal to adapt and respond to a changing climate. Lincoln is a leader in Niagara, and we strive to provide Lincoln residents with a quality of life that is second to none, within a prosperous and ecologically sustainable community. We have a responsibility to anticipate and prepare for potential impacts of climate change on our community and are committed to taking a leadership role in facing this uncertainty."

Goals & Actions

The purpose of the Corporate Climate Adaptation Plan (CCAP) is to prepare the Town of Lincoln to adapt to anticipated climatic change and extreme weather, thereby minimizing the severity of the resulting impacts. The CCAP includes over 40 actions that the municipality will implement. These actions contribute to the following eight high-level Goals that the Town will strive towards as it implements the CCAP:

Goal 1: Integrate climate change considerations into Town strategies, plans, policies, procedures, operations, & services

Goal 2: Increase resiliency & adaptive capacity within economic development, community services, parks, & recreation

Goal 3: Protect natural resources, promote ecosystem services, & minimize environmental degradation

Goal 4: Mitigate harmful consequences of extreme weather & emergency events

Goal 5: Minimize health & safety risks to community members and staff

Goal 6: Foster Lake Ontario shoreline resilience through planning, management & protection

Goal 7: Consider climate change impacts in built infrastructure & asset management

Goal 8: Increase climate change literacy among staff & public

The CCAP is intended to be a living document and will be updated annually to reflect implementation progress, new opportunities, and scientific advancements. 

Mitigation vs. Adaptation

Adaptation refers to actions that reduce the negative impact of climate change, while taking advantage of potential new opportunities. Mitigation refers to reducing the emissions that cause climate change. Adaptation and mitigation are not mutually exclusive – some actions, known as low-carbon resilience actions, have co-benefits, contributing to both objectives.

The CCAP focuses on corporate adaptation actions the Town will take. The Town will next develop a Corporate Climate Mitigation Plan to address the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the Town’s infrastructure, assets, operations, and services. The Town will also develop a Community Low-Carbon Resilience Plan to identify adaptation, mitigation, and co-benefit actions that can be accomplished by residents, public and private sectors, and local stakeholders.

Climate Change and COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has and will have long-lasting impacts on public health, economic growth, national security, and built and natural environments. Not unlike the climate crisis, the challenges and impacts of the global pandemic are multi-faceted, exacerbate existing inequalities, and require significant investment and action to resolve. The Town of Lincoln, like many global municipalities, has the opportunity to build a more resilient, healthy, and equitable community and reduce the vulnerability of its economy, society, and environment to climate change and human health crises.

Climate Change Action in Lincoln

In May 2021, Town of Lincoln Council passed a motion to immediately declare a climate crisis in Lincoln. Council recognizes the urgent need to take action to mitigate the effects of climate change and to deepen the Town’s commitment to protecting its economy, ecosystems, and community from climate change. You can read the resolution here.

Climate change is already having an impact on global economies, communities, and built and natural environments. It remains the most significant global threat to quality of life and security – for current and future generations. Bold and collective action at global, national, and community levels is required to effect change, build resilience, mitigate future threats, and ensure a prosperous future for generations to come.

The Town of Lincoln aims to take such action and contribute to the global shift towards sustainable growth and resilience. The Corporate Climate Adaptation Plan (CCAP) has been developed by the Town of Lincoln as a guideline to support and inform climate adaptation at the corporate municipal level. It will outline how the municipality as a corporation will adapt its assets, operations, and services to the current and future impacts of climate change. 

Message from Mayor Sandra Easton

"One of the four pillars of our Council Priorities is to be a Resilient Community, and as part of that pillar we have set out the goal to adapt and respond to a changing climate. Lincoln is a leader in Niagara, and we strive to provide Lincoln residents with a quality of life that is second to none, within a prosperous and ecologically sustainable community. We have a responsibility to anticipate and prepare for potential impacts of climate change on our community and are committed to taking a leadership role in facing this uncertainty."

Goals & Actions

The purpose of the Corporate Climate Adaptation Plan (CCAP) is to prepare the Town of Lincoln to adapt to anticipated climatic change and extreme weather, thereby minimizing the severity of the resulting impacts. The CCAP includes over 40 actions that the municipality will implement. These actions contribute to the following eight high-level Goals that the Town will strive towards as it implements the CCAP:

Goal 1: Integrate climate change considerations into Town strategies, plans, policies, procedures, operations, & services

Goal 2: Increase resiliency & adaptive capacity within economic development, community services, parks, & recreation

Goal 3: Protect natural resources, promote ecosystem services, & minimize environmental degradation

Goal 4: Mitigate harmful consequences of extreme weather & emergency events

Goal 5: Minimize health & safety risks to community members and staff

Goal 6: Foster Lake Ontario shoreline resilience through planning, management & protection

Goal 7: Consider climate change impacts in built infrastructure & asset management

Goal 8: Increase climate change literacy among staff & public

The CCAP is intended to be a living document and will be updated annually to reflect implementation progress, new opportunities, and scientific advancements. 

Mitigation vs. Adaptation

Adaptation refers to actions that reduce the negative impact of climate change, while taking advantage of potential new opportunities. Mitigation refers to reducing the emissions that cause climate change. Adaptation and mitigation are not mutually exclusive – some actions, known as low-carbon resilience actions, have co-benefits, contributing to both objectives.

The CCAP focuses on corporate adaptation actions the Town will take. The Town will next develop a Corporate Climate Mitigation Plan to address the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the Town’s infrastructure, assets, operations, and services. The Town will also develop a Community Low-Carbon Resilience Plan to identify adaptation, mitigation, and co-benefit actions that can be accomplished by residents, public and private sectors, and local stakeholders.

Climate Change and COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has and will have long-lasting impacts on public health, economic growth, national security, and built and natural environments. Not unlike the climate crisis, the challenges and impacts of the global pandemic are multi-faceted, exacerbate existing inequalities, and require significant investment and action to resolve. The Town of Lincoln, like many global municipalities, has the opportunity to build a more resilient, healthy, and equitable community and reduce the vulnerability of its economy, society, and environment to climate change and human health crises.

Consultation has concluded
  • Share How is this plan affecting development in the Prudhomme area? on Facebook Share How is this plan affecting development in the Prudhomme area? on Twitter Share How is this plan affecting development in the Prudhomme area? on Linkedin Email How is this plan affecting development in the Prudhomme area? link

    How is this plan affecting development in the Prudhomme area?

    Carsyl asked almost 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question. The Corporate Climate Adaptation Plan (CCAP) addresses the Prudhommes project, as well as development across Lincoln. In addition to the integration of environmental stewardship criteria in the Community Improvement Plans update project, the CCAP includes Goal 3: Protect natural resources, promote ecosystem services & minimize environmental degradation and Goal 7: Consider climate change impacts in built infrastructure & asset management which outline initiatives such as reducing inflow/infiltration, implementing tree by-laws and canopy cover targets resulting in required tree plantings, expanding green infrastructure/low-impact development guidelines and installations to inform stormwater management solutions for the development, and integrating climate science into shoreline protection and asset management process. 

    Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions. As the Town and community continue to take action on climate change, updates will be shared on speakuplincoln.ca.

  • Share How can citizens help? on Facebook Share How can citizens help? on Twitter Share How can citizens help? on Linkedin Email How can citizens help? link

    How can citizens help?

    Debbie asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question. There is a lot that Lincoln citizens can do to mitigate and adapt to climate change!

    Firstly, installing green infrastructure, like planting rain gardens or disconnecting downspouts, to prevent stormwater from running down driveways and into storm drains is a great way to prevent flooding on your or your neighbour’s home. Collecting water in rain barrels to water gardens will also help save money on water bills. Planting trees and native plants are great ways to mitigate emissions, adapt to climate change, and create habitats for local species to flourish.

    Small actions include reducing single-use plastics, recycling/donating clothing, conserving water, upgrading bulbs to LEDs, eating more plant-based meals, and using active transportation (walks, cycling) to get around. In Niagara we have an abundance of growers and shopping locally or second-hand is an excellent way to reduce household environmental and water footprints. On a larger scale, if you have investments, consider divesting them from fossil fuels and make your next car purchase an electric or hybrid.

    Participating in Citizen Science is a wonderful way to connect with your local community and environment and you don’t need an advanced degree in plant biology or climate modelling to get started! Find a topic you are interested in and join a community committed to learning. The Audobon Christmas Bird Count is great way to spend the holidays with your families, INaturalist has an app to identify wildlife, and they partnered with Ontario Parks to identify species in provincial parks. RinkWatch is a citizen science research initiative that asks people who love outdoor skating to help monitor winter weather conditions and study the long-term impacts of climate change – so if you have a backyard rink you can update its conditions all winter long!

    Lastly, stay engaged! Follow @TownofLincolnON on Twitter and Instagram for our Sustainability Sunday tips. Talk to family members, friends, and neighbours about climate change, participate in community events, visit speakuplincoln.ca or lincoln.ca to participate in surveys, public information centres, attend council and committee meetings, and reach out to your MPs, local councillors, elected officials, and other decision-makers (like parents and teachers) to let them know that climate change action is important to you.

    Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions. As the Town and community continue to take action on climate change, updates will be shared on speakuplincoln.ca.

  • Share Why has Lincoln not established a program like St. Catharines? https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2021/05/17/free-tree-giveaway-returns-this-spring-in-st-catharines.html on Facebook Share Why has Lincoln not established a program like St. Catharines? https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2021/05/17/free-tree-giveaway-returns-this-spring-in-st-catharines.html on Twitter Share Why has Lincoln not established a program like St. Catharines? https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2021/05/17/free-tree-giveaway-returns-this-spring-in-st-catharines.html on Linkedin Email Why has Lincoln not established a program like St. Catharines? https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2021/05/17/free-tree-giveaway-returns-this-spring-in-st-catharines.html link

    Why has Lincoln not established a program like St. Catharines? https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2021/05/17/free-tree-giveaway-returns-this-spring-in-st-catharines.html

    Whitehn asked over 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question. The Town is looking into programs to support. We will continue to investigate and refine our programs. Regular updates will be shared on speakuplincoln.ca.

  • Share What is Lincoln doing to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles? on Facebook Share What is Lincoln doing to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles? on Twitter Share What is Lincoln doing to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles? on Linkedin Email What is Lincoln doing to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles? link

    What is Lincoln doing to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles?

    Lester asked over 3 years ago

    Hi Lester, 

    The Town is always looking for opportunities to expand our hybrid vehicle fleet, and to add electric vehicles to our fleet in future budgets, in our efforts to make Lincoln a sustainable community and protect the environment. 

    Currently the Town does not offer an incentive program for electric vehicles. There are incentives available for consumers when considering purchasing an electric vehicle through other channels including the Government of Canada and Plug’n Drive.