Adapting to Climate Change

Renewable energy programs, energy efficiency frameworks and the substitution of fossil fuels are examples of climate change mitigation measures.

We need to prepare for the impacts of frequent and extreme weather events. The town is applying a climate lens to its asset management and emergency management plans that will help to protect the town’s assets and support the community during extreme weather events such as flooding and windstorms.

Community Climate Action Grant - Coming soon!

More details about the OakvilleReady Community Climate Action Grant will be released on April 22, 2024, on Earth Day.

Oakville will experience increasingly warmer than normal temperatures during the spring and summer months as the climate continues to change. The Climate Science Projections Report provides more information on what we can expect in the coming decades. 

What to expect by 2051-2080:

  • 4.2 degrees Celsius rise in annual temperatures 
  • 4.7 degrees Celsius rise in winter temperatures
  • 4.6 degrees Celsius rise in summer temperatures

Check out the Climate Projections Report to learn about the impacts that rising temperatures will have on the community.

Halton Region issues weather alerts to ensure critical information is shared with residents during extreme weather events. For more information, visit the Halton Region website and sign up for their heat, smog and cold warnings.

Oakville is projected to experience an increased in annual precipitation throughout the year. Intense rain events are expected to be frequent and short in duration. During these events, there is an increased risk to flooding which can cause damage to residential property. The Climate Science Projections Report provides more information on the impacts of increase precipitation events. 

What to expect by 2051-2080:

  • 78 mm increases in average annual precipitation
  • 3.5 mm rise spring and winter precipitation

Check out the Climate Projections Report to learn about the impacts that rising temperatures will have on the community.

Find out how to prepare for heavy precipitation events:

Learn how to protect yourself, your property and your loved ones:

With increasingly warmer temperatures, the Town of Oakville is projected to get windier and unpredictable as temperatures rise. High winds and freezing rain events have the potential to cause personal injury, power outages, downed trees and flooding. The Climate Science Projections Report provides information on high wind events and local impacts it can have. 

What to expect by 2051-2080:

  • 70 and 90 kilometre per hour increased wind gusts which would result in High Wind Warnings from Environment Canada for Ontario.
  • Increased thunderstorm activity with increase temperatures

Check out the Climate Projections Report to learn about the impacts that rising temperatures will have on the community.

Visit Environment Canada's website for all extreme weather warnings.

Community resilience

In 2019, the Town of Oakville together with the Halton Environmental Network (HEN) developed the OakvilleReady Program which is funded by the Oakville Community Foundation. OakvilleReady is a community climate resiliency program where community organizations come together to support emergency response and recovery. The program provides education and awareness to residents and the community on climate change and environmental sustainability.

Climate change in Oakville

Learn how to help protect human health, the natural environment, residential homes and properties against the impacts of a changing climate.

Climate Change Primer

Fight against the climate crisis

Read about the top 10 actions you can take to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Oakville.

Top Ten Climate Change Actions