Don't Lead with Climate, Lead with Local Aspirations: Fostering Meaningful Community Engagement in Toronto

Abstract

Achieving the very ambitious climate action goals of cities with net zero GHG emissions targets will require unprecedented levels of political support and behavioural engagement from residents. Climate engagement methods adopted by most cities typically consist of public education about climate change and public input on emissions reductions strategies. However, there is little evidence to suggest that such campaigns will achieve the level of support and engagement required to meet net zero targets. This article outlines an alternative approach that combines the Connected Community Approach and participatory backcasting to articulate a desired neighbourhood future rooted in local activities, and pathways to such a future. Only then does it make connections to the City of Toronto's climate goals and targets. Our hypothesis is that this approach—focusing on local sustainability—will lay the essential groundwork for fostering higher levels of public support and behavioural engagement on urban climate action than conventional engagement methods.