The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) has contributed $46,000 in funding to support the launch of the Bay Area Climate Change Office (BACCO) at the Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College's Fennell campus.
BACCO is driving the creation and implementation of a regional climate action strategy for the Bay Area, including the cities of Hamilton and Burlington. Its work is guided by the Bay Area Climate Change Council, an independent community council of 13 members who are setting priorities, developing action plans and reporting back to the community on progress. BACCO is believed to be the first of its kind to use a community-driven collaborative governance model to drive action on climate change.
BACCO is one of the first projects to be supported by TAF outside the City of Toronto. TAF was established by the City of Toronto in the early 1990s to fund local initiatives to combat climate change and improve air quality. The fund now supports urban projects throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area that are aimed at reducing carbon emissions and air pollution.
"We're thrilled that TAF is supporting the launch of the Bay Area Climate Change Office. Mohawk College along with its partners at the cities of Hamilton and Burlington and Sustainable Hamilton Burlington are committed to taking strong action on climate change." - Sandi Stride, Executive Director, Centre for Climate Change Management
"Hamilton is a strong municipal leader in environmental sustainability and the Bay Area Climate Change Council is a strong collaboration between the cities of Hamilton, Burlington and Mohawk College. This TAF grant will help create a more regional approach to improve our resilience to a changing climate." - Fred Eisenberger, Mayor of Hamilton
"Burlington recognizes that climate change can have a significant impact on our local communities. The TAF grant will support a strong regional approach to taking action through the Bay Area Climate Change Council in partnership with the City of Hamilton and Mohawk College." - Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor of Burlington
"Community-wide collaboration with cities is the best way to ensure meaningful climate action and maximum benefits for residents. TAF champions the local leadership involved in developing this innovative approach to carbon reduction in the Bay Area, and hopes to invest in further action to come." - Julia Langer, CEO, The Atmospheric Fund
FAST FACTS
- The Bay Area Climate Council is made up of 13 representatives from organizations in Hamilton and Burlington. The full membership list is available here.
- The governance model for the Bay Area Climate Change Office is inspired by the Bay Area Restoration Council (BARC). Formed in 1991, BARC has been instrumental in the ongoing work to restore Hamilton Harbour and its watershed.
- The Atmospheric Fund's support will assist with the creation of a three-year climate action strategy.
- The Centre for Climate Change Management (CCCM) is a collaboration between Mohawk College, the City of Hamilton, the City of Burlington and Sustainable Hamilton Burlington.
- The CCCM was established to drive measurable and coordinated regional action on climate change among business, industry, government and community partners.
- The CCCM will be located at The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation. The Joyce Centre is Canada's largest and the region's first zero carbon institutional building. It was also the first institutional building in Canada to receive the Zero Carbon Building - Design certification from the Canada Green Building Council.
