In 2009, King Township staff pushed forward to lay the foundation of an organized King Township Sustainability Plan. Sustainability is not just about the environment – it is a forward-looking vision that excites people and brings forth commitment and energy. The King Township Integrated Community Sustainability Plan is about building that Vision and the pathway to get there.
About the King's Integrated Community Sustainability Plan
In King Township, we have always demonstrated commitment to preserving our natural resources and quality of life. This is our foundation for living, working, and acting sustainably. Planning for sustainability means thinking ahead – in a way that ensures the needs of King's current residents will be met, without compromising the ability of the Township to meet the needs of future generations.
To help move forward in our journey towards sustainability, King Township formed a Sustainability Steering Committee. In the summer of 2009, King Township partnered with the Windfall Ecology Centre and The Natural Step (TNS) system, organizations advocating the need to take an organized and well-thought out approach to understanding and planning for sustainability. This process helped train the Steering Committee in the fundamental principles of building a sustainable society and helped us recognize the potential to shift from a path filled with uncertainty to one with a vibrant economy and culture of creativity and prosperity rooted in the values of sustainability.
In 2009 King Township applied for funding from the Green Municipal Fund, administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to further assist our sustainability planning. This fund is designed to help municipalities like ours develop organized approaches to sustainability, for example developing Integrated Community Sustainability Plans. In the spring of 2010, King Township was awarded the funding.
What is an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP)?
An ICSP is a long-term plan, developed with participation from community members, which provides direction for a community to realize its sustainability objectives. A Sustainability Plan sets goals, directions, actions, and targets for balancing the four pillars of sustainability – the environmental, socio-cultural, economic, and financial dimensions of a community's identity. Each of these pillars is interconnected with the others, and the impacts of a decision directed at one pillar are felt in all. A Sustainability Plan accounts for this and actively encourages accountability in decision-making across all pillars.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities defines a Sustainability Plan as:
"…a plan developed through public consultation that identifies a vision and includes environmental, social, and economic goals and targets for the community. The plan also describes the short-, medium-, and long-term strategies for reaching its goals and targets, and integrates all areas of municipal concern, such as energy use, neighbourhood and transportation planning, and waste and water management."
Why do we need an ICSP?
Sustainability can be a difficult concept to grasp, let alone put into action. An ICSP for the Township of King will help us move towards a sustainable future in all facets of municipal operations. It will act as a guiding document for more effective planning and management of the Township's assets and resources. It will accelerate the shift in local planning and decision making toward a more long-term, consistent and participatory approach. It will help King Township lessen environmental impacts, strengthen social networks, increase ways for the public to participate in decision-making processes, and increase economic prosperity. It will also help build King Township's reputation as a leader in sustainability.
Having a strong foundation in sustainability is like having a house with four sturdy pillars: each room depends on the other for success. Developing an ICSP will help King Township get our "house" in order.
The Sustainability Plan
Access the community-led and municipally supported Sustainability Plan (and Appendices) know as Sustainable King.
Sustainable King Grant
The Sustainable King Grant Program offers funding to aassist community organizations with projects or initiatives that support the sustainability goals, as outlined in King's Sustainability Plan. King's Sustainability Advisory Committee will consider funding projects that support one or more of the goals, strategies or action items outlined in the plan.
Sustainable King Grant Application - Fillable Form
Sustainable King Grant Guidelines
After Action Report - Fillable Form.pdf
For more information please contact sustainability@king.ca
Sustainability Advisory Committee
The Committee is comprised of residents and members of Council.
From left to right: Councillor David Boyd, Rick Sikorski (Chair), Tashko Sarakinov, Brent King, Susan Beharriell, Councillor Debbie Schaefer, Derek Nardone, Joel Carcone, Councillor Avia Eek, Mayor Steve Pellegrini and Sara Olivieri (Sustainability Coordinator). Absent: Nancy Belo Gomes (Vice Chair) and John Bartella.
Sustainability Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule
Meetings are held at the Municipal Office in Council Chambers (2075 King Road, King City) on the fourth Tuesday of every month and begin at 7:00pm.
Upcoming meetings:
Tuesday, April 24th, 2018
Tuesday, May 29th, 2018
Tuesday, June 26th, 2018
Tuesday, September 25th, 2018
Tuesday, October 30th, 2018
Tuesday, November 27th, 2018
Meeting Agendas are posted on www.king.ca.
Community Calendar
Check out what's happening in King this spring!
Community Calendar for April, May and June 2018
King Loves Spring Schedule of Events - NOW AVAILABLE!
Initiatives
Sustainable Community Group Initiative- Food Service Sale
Attention all Community Groups! Make your next event environmentally friendly by using compostable food service items that you can purchase through King Township at a 25 % discount.
For more information contact: environmentalstewardship@king.ca
