Vaughan

The Active Transportation Implementation Framework is incorporated in the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Update, 2020.

The Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Framework (2022) is a background paper created as part of the ongoing Official Plan Review process. The City of Vaughan is committed to develop a Climate Adaptation Plan as an outcome of the Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Framework.

The Municipal Energy Planwas updated in 2024. An MEP update will be published annually beginning in 2025, which will include a portion on progress being made to reach emissions reductions targets.

Work from the Active Transportation team on a Public EV Strategy began in 2024.

The Municipal Energy Plan (2024) set a target of 2 to 3 tonnes CO2e reduced per person by 2030.

A program will be piloted beginning in 2024 as part of the Thornhill Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan in collaboration with the TRCA.

Vaughan’s Complete Streets Guide was published in 2024

The Green Directions Vaughan, 2019 is a community sustainability plan, that outlines actions the corporation is taking to be more sustainable (touches on actions for corporate and community), and does focus on both climate adaptation and mitigation but is broader than that. There is no an overall corporate adaptation plan. There are various master plans with strategies and implementable recommendations that are considered in the realm of adaptation.

EV Ready requirements are incorporated in the Sustainability Metrics. For example, residential: (EVSE) is provided to serve 10% , 20%, 50% of parking spaces for, respectively Bronze, Silver, and Gold performance level.

Vaughan’s updated Sustainability Metrics Program (SMP) requirements came into effect in 2023. These include the new Bird-Safe Design Standards and revisions to the SMP guidebook. The Program uses a point-based system in which a development proposal earns points for achieving criteria (metrics) organized around the categories of built environment, mobility, natural environment and parks, infrastructure and buildings, and innovation. Points earned through these criteria go towards the minimum sustainability score that development proposals are required to achieve. The threshold levels are Bronze, Silver, and Gold. In Vaughan, all new development applications located within the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) have to achieve a minimum performance level of Silver. For all new development outside of VMC the minimum performance level is Bronze.

Green Roofs Requirements are incorporated in the Sustainability Metrics Program. For example, in MURB: Provide garden space that is equal to 25 square metres (or 250 square feet) of the rooftop or total landscaped site area. On corporate side, the city is also creating a Green Building Policy that will take into consideration green roof requirements for City buildings.

Vaughan’s updated Green Fleet Strategy was approved in 2025. Additionally, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Department has committed to the electrification of all administration vehicles in the next 10 years.

The City has an internal Design & Construction Standards Sustainability Brief that speaks directly to energy initiatives for new builds. The city will continue to build to the LEED Gold standard but have gone further to design and build to a Zero Carbon or Net Zero Carbon standard as per the Canada Green Building Council. There are several major projects advancing at this time that will be LEED Gold and Net Zero Carbon buildings. These include the Carrville Community Centre & Library, Fire Hall 7-12, and Fire Hall 7-1 which is an existing building undergoing a major facility and energy renewal to achieve a Net Zero Standard in 2023.

The City collaborates on implementing actions from the York Region Agriculture and Agri-food strategy.

The City of Vaughn published it's Urban Forest Management Plan in 2024. The plan outlines a long-term vision to manage the urban forest; goals, recommendations and targets to achieve the vision; and a financial analysis to guide implementation. Vaughan’s targets are 17% total woodland cover and 25%-35% total urban tree cover based on the York Region Forest Management Plan.