Resources

Glossary Terms

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): Collaboration between countries and scientists who investigate climate change, use climate data to project potential climate futures and make recommendations to inform policy.

Climate Mitigation: Refers to actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or enhance carbon sinks to limit the severity of future climate change (e.g., improving energy efficiency, shifting to renewable energy, reforestation, and reducing fossil fuel use).

Climate Adaptation: Involves adjusting systems, infrastructure, and communities to manage the impacts of climate change that are already occurring or unavoidable (e.g., flood-resistant infrastructure, heat-health plans, climate-resilient land use, and urban canopy).

Co-benefit: This idea is that a single action can have multiple benefits, often outside of the intended outcomes. Considering the co-benefits of actions can maximize positive outcomes, while reducing overall effort. For example, highly efficient buildings reduce emissions (less cost), are often more comfortable (more productive) and healthy indoor spaces and contribute to improved air quality (reduce time off and reduced healthcare related costs).

Equity terms

Factsheet: Why equity matters in municipal climate adaptation | Green Municipal Fund

Learning

Weather and Climate

Weather or Climate ... What's the Difference?

Key Concepts-Climate change concepts - Canada.ca

Canada Climate Change Summary Report CCCR2026 - Report Summary - Canada's Changing Climate Report

Green House Gases

Green House Gases- Greenhouse Gases | Climate Atlas of Canada

Green House Gas Emissions Greenhouse gas emissions - Canada.ca

Reports

Wellington County Climate Mitigation Plan future-focused-condensed

IPCC 6th Assessment Report AR6 Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023

Health Canada Health of Canadians in a Changing Climate — Advancing our Knowledge for Action

Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment | WDG Public Health

Public Health Agency of Canada report.pdf

Emergency Planning Preperation

Emergency Kit Build an Emergency Kit - Canadian Red Cross

Wellington County Emergency Preparedness Guide 2026-em-emergency-preparedness-guide

Subscribe to Flood alters GRCA Subscribe | Grand River Conservation Authority

Emergency Planning Recovery

The Government of Ontario provides recovery assistance, through the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program. Visit the website to learn more about eligibility. Apply for disaster recovery assistance | ontario.ca

Heat

Home Heat Protection 2026-07-28-Home-heat-protection_final

Air Quality

Air Quality Health Index Air Quality Ontario: Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

Air Quality Alerts Air Quality Ontario: The air quality alert program

Flood

Government of Canada Infographic 27-20-2833-Flood-Cleanup-Air-Quality-EN-Final

Grand River Conservation Authority Flooding | Grand River Conservation Authority

Basement Flood Protection Check List Basement Flood Protection Checklist

Home Water Damage Risk Reduction Sources-of-Home-Water-Damage-and-Opportunities-to-Reduce-Risk.pdf

Home Flood Protection Guide Climate-Ready Guides - Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation

Emergency preparedness Resource Emergency-Prepareness-Resources_final.pdf

Programs

Wellington County Supports

Wellington County offers several programs and services to help residents reduce energy costs, improve home comfort, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. These programs can help connect residents to rebates, home energy upgrades, financing options, and energy-saving resources.

Energy Coach Program

Free one-on-one support for eligible low-income homeowners and renters. Helps residents identify available rebates, energy-efficiency programs, and home upgrades. Learn more: https://www.wellington.ca/EnergyCoach

Ontario Renovates Program

Provides financial assistance to eligible low-income homeowners for essential home repairs and accessibility improvements, including some energy-efficiency measures. Learn more: Wellington (County of) - Housing Services

Home Energy Tool Kits

Available through Wellington County Library branches. Includes tools and resources to help residents better understand and reduce household energy use. Learn more: Home Energy Efficiency Transition | Climate Change | Planning

Home Energy Efficiency Transition (HEET) Program

A County-led initiative is being developed to help homeowners finance energy-efficiency upgrades, such as heat pumps, insulation, and building envelope improvements, through low-cost repayment options. Learn more: Home Energy Efficiency Transition | Climate Change | Planning

Provincial and Federal Programs

Homeowners and renters in Ontario can also access a variety of provincial and federal programs to help reduce energy costs, improve home comfort, and lower emissions. Incentives are available for home energy upgrades such as heat pumps, insulation, windows, solar panels, and smart thermostats, while additional supports may help with electricity bills and housing-related costs. Program funding and eligibility can change over time, so be sure to check program websites for the latest information.

Home Renovation Savings Program - Rebates for heat pumps, insulation, windows and doors, air sealing, solar panels, battery storage, smart thermostats, and other energy-saving upgrades. Website: https://homerenovationsavings.ca
Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program (OHPA) - Helps households currently heating with oil transition to efficient electric heat pumps. Website: https://www.canada.ca/oil-to-heat-pump-affordability
Save on Energy Programs - Offers conservation programs, incentives, and tools to help reduce electricity consumption. Website: https://saveonenergy.ca
Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) - A tax-free benefit that helps eligible residents with energy, property tax, and sales tax costs. Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/ontario-trillium-benefit.html
Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) - Monthly on-bill electricity bill assistance for lower-income households. Website: https://ontarioelectricitysupport.ca
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) - Emergency financial assistance for households experiencing difficulty paying electricity or natural gas bills. Website: https://www.oeb.ca/consumer-information-and-protection/bill-assistance-programs
Federal Zero-Emission Vehicle Incentives and Tax Measures - Information on available incentives, tax measures, and charging infrastructure programs. Website: https://www.canada.ca/zero-emission-vehicles