eMERGE takes a two-pronged approach to fighting climate change by igniting both individual action and policy change. Individually, through its programs and education, eMERGE helps people reduce their energy, water, and fossil fuel usage.

Long before governments make major changes, individuals, communities, and not-for-profit organizations have been leading the way in improving our environment. When people see positive changes in their own homes, and communities, they begin to understand that policy change is just as critical as individual action. Then they get involved!

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We help people get involved by providing important information about local, provincial, and federal environmental issues. With your help, we have achieved real change through our newsletter, policy-related events, and environmental campaigns.

Our asks are that the City:

• Create interim targets for the 97.8% of climate pollution that the City is currently ignoring.
• Annually report on climate change, delineating between corporate and community progress, with access to source data and methodology (Note: The report released on June 9, 2023 ignored targets for 97.8% of emissions).
• Move toward yearly interim targets for the entire community.
• Include a designated climate budget within the 2024 budget and all subsequent budgets.
• Include climate adaptation planning in current and future projects, which abide to the above targets.
• Empower city staff to bring ideas forward on best practices to mitigate climate change.
• Ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion is considered in climate action and all City work.

For more information on our environmental advocacy programs, sign up for our newsletter. Advocacy, whether a piece of community or individual action, offers a great way to get involved in climate action with no upfront costs or barriers. Thank you for your interest in making a difference in Guelph. We look forward to seeing you at future events, protests, and campaigns.