Toronto climate policy is back, thanks to you

Toronto had been developing a Buildings Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) which would set pollution limits on large buildings. This is critical because buildings account for almost 60% of Toronto’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The building policy would lead to mass retrofits like heat pump installation to replace antiquated gas furnaces and boilers. On top of significantly decreasing pollution, heat pumps would make homes safer and healthier too.

You can see why we wanted to see this policy created and passed!

Shockingly, after staff had worked on it for two years, the plan was absent from Toronto’s climate plan (the Net Zero Strategy) and from the Environment Committee Agenda released at the end of 2025. However, because almost 3,000 members of Stand’s community sent emails, dozens called the mayor’s office, and over 50 allies made supportive presentations at City Hall, the chair of the Environment Committee had no choice but to put forward a motion to keep BEPS alive. 

Stand Climate Campaigner Lana Goldberg spoke and stayed to hear all of the other deputations – which were so numerous that it took all day.

“It was amazing to hear so many angles and benefits of retrofitting our buildings beyond reducing emissions, like creating green jobs for youth and making low-income housing better,” Goldberg said. “Most of all, it was exhilarating to witness community engagement in action – and what it can do.”

The passed motion directs staff to keep working on BEPS (on items like legal jurisdiction, tenant protections, and funding sources) and to report back next year on progress, followed by the presentation of a more complete plan in 2027.

This decision was approved by the full Toronto council on Dec. 17, so this phase of our advocacy is done! Once the plan is developed, Stand’s team will make noise again to ensure this critical climate policy is fully adopted. But for now, let’s celebrate this win – brought about by people power.

SAFE Cities, hosted by Stand, is a growing movement of communities phasing out fossil fuels and fast-tracking clean energy solutions. Already more than 130 cities and other local governments across the US and Canada have passed concrete policies to stop fossil fuel expansion, build renewable energy infrastructure, and create good, green jobs. Together, we know that we can turn these local victories into a powerful movement to protect ourselves and our communities from the threat of toxic fossil fuel pollution.