Toronto – The City of Toronto welcomes over 100 environmental innovators and leaders from across the world for the 20th annual CitiesAlive conference on green infrastructure. The City is renowned for being on the leading edge of green roof policy and is a co-host of this year’s conference which will run from Wednesday, November 6 to Friday, November 9.
CitiesAlive is a global conference that advocates for innovations in green infrastructure, such as green roofs and living walls where vegetation is grown in, on and around buildings. It also explores research and policy changes needed to advance green infrastructure solutions for major cities around the world and make them more resilient to climate change.
Green infrastructure and Toronto’s green spaces cool the city during summer, act like sponges to reduce flooding, support biodiversity and provide habitat for wildlife including pollinators.
Mayor Olivia Chow will open the conference on Wednesday, November 6 at the opening plenary session. The conference will also feature presentations from globally-recognized professionals including City staff who are actively working on groundbreaking green infrastructure projects that will make Toronto more resilient to the effects of climate change.
City staff are expected to present on: the Downsview Redevelopment, Port Lands Flood Protection Project, Toronto Green Standard, Green Roof Bylaw and the Eco-Roof Incentive Program. More information about CitiesAlive and the conference agenda is available online 
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Leading green infrastructure
The City has become a leader in green infrastructure over the past two decades and was the first municipality in North America to adopt a bylaw to require and govern the construction of green roofs on new buildings.
Buildings are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Toronto, and in most cities. They account for more than 50 per cent of emissions in the city and introducing more green infrastructure to buildings can help offset some of these emissions. Green infrastructure not only helps building reduce emissions but helps with storm water management and adapting to future climate conditions.
The City’s leadership now goes far beyond green roofs. The Ravine Strategy, Biodiversity Strategy, Pollinator Protection Strategy, Toronto Green Standard and Green Streets program are just a few of the ways the City is working to protect, restore and expand Toronto’s natural assets and adapt to future climate conditions.
More information about these programs is available at www.toronto.ca/becoming-a-climate-ready-toronto.
Green infrastructure programs for residents and business owners
The City has various green infrastructure programs available to help Toronto residents and business owners become more resilient including:
- Eco-Roof Incentive Program helps fund the expansion of green roof and cool roof installations across the city, known collectively as eco-roofs.
- PollinateTO supports native plant garden and rain garden projects that directly support native pollinators and manage stormwater
- Backyard Tree Planting Program offers backyard tree planting services at a subsidized cost to Toronto residents, in partnership with Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF).
- Community Canopy Program connects Toronto residents with free trees through an online mapping tool that provides information on where to plant a tree on a specific property.
More information about these programs is available the City’s webpage. More information about TransformTO, Toronto’s Net Zero Climate Action Strategy, is available on the City’s webpage.
“As a leader in green infrastructure, the City of Toronto is pleased to welcome back the CitiesAlive conference to our city. Green infrastructure is an essential part of working towards building a more resilient and sustainable city.” – Mayor Olivia Chow