CAP was specifically created to extend the reach and impact of projects initiated through the Toronto Atmospheric Fund. Working in partnership with utilities, schools, businesses, governments and community groups, the Clean Air Partnership develops and delivers local market and community-based strategies to reduce energy use and clean the air as part of the effort to achieve healthy and sustainable local communities.

CAP's key objectives are to:

• leverage maximum financial, human and other resources towards its goals;
• facilitate collective, institutional and individual action through partnership;
• foster and build collaborations with and support sustainable, community based efforts.

Definitions

Partner: Supports the Clean Air Partnership's vision, and works in collaboration with the Clean Air Partnership to achieve its mission.

Funder: Provides financial resources targeted to one or more of the Clean Air Partnership's projects.

Sponsor: Provides ongoing financial resources to the Clean Air Partnership to build capacity to achieve its vision.

Programs

CAP's programs focus on engaging the community to reduce local greenhouse gas and smog precursor emissions. Each of CAP's programs are specifically designed to reach a target segment of the community. The following are currently the projects of CAP:

GTA Clean Air Council

The Greater Toronto Area Clean Air Council is an inter-governmental working group that promotes the reduction of air pollution emissions and increased awareness of regional air quality issues in the Greater Toronto Area through the collective efforts of all levels of government. The Council identifies and promotes the most effective initiatives to reduce the occurrence of smog and other forms of air pollution in the GTA, and their associated health risks. The GTA Clean Air Council extends membership in the council to all orders of government operational in the GTA, including federal and provincial departments and ministries and all 29 municipal organizations, and explores opportunities to partner with other governments, community groups and the private sector. CAP is responsible for activating and coordinating the GTA-CAC, and facilitates the planning and implementation of the GTA-CAC's work program.

Smog Summit

Smog Summits I, II, III, IV, and V, held in the summers from 2000 to 2004, brought representation from all three orders of government in the GTA together with industry and the community. They convened to share best practices, report on progress made on initiatives announced at previous summits, and further commit to clean air initiatives. In 2003 and 2004, pre-Summit community forums were held across the GTA where municipalities, businesses and community leaders presented local clean air and energy reduction initiatives.

Clean Air Consumers Guide

The Clean Air Consumer Guide is designed to encourage consumers to make energy efficient choices when purchasing household items. This innovative and exciting Guide contains a wealth of information about energy efficient products and services that will not only save energy and the environment, but will also save consumers money in the long run.

Clean Air Online: Coming in June 2005 - The Search is Over

"The GTA's One-stop web resource for Air Quality and Climate Change Activities"

The Clean Air Online (CAOL) Web site will simplify and coordinate a complex Web world by helping people find information and tools that encourage and support individual, community and municipal actions that reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. CAOL will contain information on everything you ever wanted to know about air quality and climate change activities taking place in the Greater Toronto Area and will provide users with:

• an understanding of the linkages between our everyday decisions on transportation and energy use and smog, human health and climate change;
• strategies that enable them to take action to reduce their own emissions and protect their health and the environment;
• information on air quality and notification of smog alert days in the GTA; and
• a searchable and browsable database on actions being taken by governments, at all levels, and the community to improve air quality and combat climate change.

20/20 The Way to Clean Air

engages individuals and families across the GTA in reducing home energy use and vehicle use by 20%. 20/20 is a campaign of public health departments in Durham, Halton, Peel, Toronto and York, and co-ordinated by the Clean Air Partnership. The program targets home energy use and transportation as major contributors to air pollution and climate change. 20/20 participants receive a free step-by-step guide to reducing energy use that also connects them to the many energy efficiency programs and services in the GTA. Reducing energy use can increase home comfort, save money, reduce driving stress, and help reduce smog and the risk of climate change.

Cool Schools

For over five years, the Cool Schools Program of CAP has been engaging Toronto students in activities that improve local air quality. By engaging in energy conservation and waste minimization projects, schools become leaders in their community - helping Toronto to achieve its climate change commitments while cleaning the air. In partnership with the Toronto District School Board, The Cool Schools Program engages students, parents and school staff in projects that inspire action, enthusiasm and responsibility in finding local solutions to environmental problems. Cool Schools stands proudly as a proven example of how young people and indeed whole school communities can become involved in change for the good.

One Tonne Challenge

One-Tonne Toronto is a partnership of non-profit groups whose purpose is to engage residents in the Greater Toronto Area to take the One-Tonne Challenge and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Special thanks to CAP's founding sponsors:
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc, Suncor Energy Foundation, Toronto Atmospheric Fund

Energy Efficiency for Homeowners | Energy Efficiency for Businesses

75 Elizabeth Street · Toronto · ON · M5G 1P4
416-392-6672 · FAX 416-338-0616
www.cleanairpartnership.org