Sustainability & Climate Change Advisory Committee

The Sustainability and Climate Change Advisory Committee shall provide advice and make recommendations to Council on the following:

• The identification and implementation of new or existing programs, approaches or policies relating to the protection, sustainability and enhancement of natural resources and systems within the Municipality.
• The identification and implementation of community outreach activities which support the growth of environmental awareness and appreciation in the Municipality.  This includes providing assistance with and support for the implementation of education programs and for special events relating to environmental matters.
• Educational and/or outreach to the public regarding climate change and the work of the Advisory Committee and the Town of Cobourg relating to climate change.
• Climate change impacts in the Town of Cobourg and ways to adapt to and mitigate these impacts, which may include items relating to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases with related improvements in air quality or promoting the use of renewable energy within the Municipality.
• Environmental policy directions pursued by the Municipality, in addition to the review of current or proposed Federal and Provincial policies, legislation and/or regulations relating to the environment.
• Additional measures to address climate change, including any plans, studies and initiative related to the environment.
• The revision of the Town of Cobourg’s Climate Action Plan, as required.
• The creation and maintenance of the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan for the Town of Cobourg.
• Matters relating to environmental sustainability within the Municipality, having particular regard and commitment to long term economic, cultural and social well-being of the community and its stakeholders.
• Other related environmental and climate change matters as referred to the Committee by Council.

The Sustainability and Climate Change Advisory Committee shall be composed of the following members: 

• Up to six (6) and no less than four (4) citizens appointments;
• A minimum of one (1) Member of Council; and
• Northumberland County Sustainability Officer.

Each voting member of the Sustainability and Climate Change Advisory Committee is an independent representative to the Committee and does not represent the concerns of only one sector or sphere of interest within the community.  The members of the Committee shall work together to fulfill the mandate of this Advisory Committee.

Members of the Sustainability and Climate Change Advisory Committee shall be appointed for a four (4) year term that corresponds with the term of Council, expiring on November 30 of the year in which a municipal election is held, unless provided otherwise by a resolution of Council.

A quorum consisting of a majority of the members of the Committee is required for a Committee meeting.  Quorum will be based on the number of active members appointed to the Committee.

The Sustainability and Climate Change Advisory Committee shall report to the Municipal Council.  Decisions of the Committee are considered recommendations and are not final until approved by the Municipal Council unless delegated authority is granted by Council.

All Committee Minutes, when approved, are to be sent to the Municipal Clerk for record keeping purposes and to be included in the next scheduled Regular Council meeting for information purposes. 

All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the Town of Cobourg Advisory Committees of Municipal Council Policies and Procedures and the Town of Cobourg’s Procedural By-law.  Meetings shall be open to the public except if the subject matter being considered is within a category defined in Section 239(2), (3) or (3.1) of the Municipal Act, in which case the meeting may be closed.