Ontario Construction News staff writer
Finding climate change solutions is the focus of the 2023 Livable Cities Forum Sept. 25 to 27 at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga. More than 250 national delegates from different levels of government, community partners and local agencies, industry leaders, post-secondary institutions, health agencies and climate change experts are expected to attend.
This year’s theme is “Intention to Implementation,” transitioning to resilient, equitable, livable, and sustainable communities. The forum is in partnership with ICLEI Canada and the Canadian Urban Institute.
“Our climate is changing rapidly and its effects will forever alter how we live. We must work together to curb the negative impacts and create a healthy and sustainable future for all,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Mississauga is grateful to host this year’s Livable Cities Forum and welcome the many distinguished climate change and environment professionals and delegates from around the world, representing hundreds of industries and sectors.
“We are proud to be one of the many Canadian municipalities participating in the Forum, and look forward to sharing our experiences while listening to the expertise of others in understanding and developing climate change solutions.”
Topics will include:
- Accelerating local transition towards a net-zero future
- Adapting communities to climate change and building resilience
- Prioritizing equity, inclusion and meaningful engagement
In addition to speakers, the forum also includes workshops and networking sessions. Organized study tours around Mississauga will showcase how cities can increase the pace and scale of implementation of energy transitions and how to approach climate action to increase engagement, motivation and implementation.
“The overarching themes of the forum align with the climate change work happening around our city,” said Dianne Zimmerman, manager, environment. “As a large urban city, we’re committed to becoming one of Canada’s first net-zero cities.”
Mississauga is updating its Climate Change Action Plan to set more ambitious targets aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) recommendations to limit global warming to 1.5 per cent Celsius.
For more information and to register, visit LivableCitiesForum.com.