Is Windsor Truly Upholding Its Environmental Commitments? A Deep Dive into the City’s Green Initiatives

Windsor declared a climate emergency in 2019, but many feel it’s lagging in environmental efforts. Derek Coronado, president of the Citizens’ Environmental Alliance, expresses deep concern over the city’s slow progress. He points out that reports on Windsor’s initiatives are delayed, lacking public access, and communication has nearly ground to a halt.

“Consultation with the public about climate actions has stopped,” he notes. The city’s website isn’t updated with information on environmental plans, leaving citizens in the dark.

One worrying sign is that the Community Energy Plan was recently put on hold. Coronado stresses that this plan was designed to set targets and track greenhouse gas reductions. He laments, “It’s shelved without any alternative program to replace it,” emphasizing that this plan was crucial for emissions cuts.

Adding to the frustration, the city’s Environment and Climate Change Advisory Committee has missed its required meetings this year. They finally held their first meeting of 2025 just recently.

Councillor Kieran McKenzie acknowledges Coronado’s concerns. He believes the committee has done well but agrees that communication is lacking. “The city isn’t doing enough to meet its environmental targets,” he admits. He highlights that losing two members of the committee has made it difficult to maintain consistent progress and public engagement.

Moreover, the absence of experts in the city’s climate change department is affecting the council’s ability to make informed decisions. “We lack the expertise needed to analyze and decide on climate actions,” he says.

Despite these hurdles, Coronado warns that climate change remains a pressing crisis. “This isn’t going away. We need to tackle it head-on,” he insists. He points out that the city must take action on multiple fronts simultaneously, likening climate change to an 800-pound gorilla looming over all other issues.

Recent data reinforces these worries. A survey indicated that only 30% of residents feel adequately informed about local environmental policies. Public interest in climate action remains high, yet meaningful community engagement is dwindling.

It’s clear Windsor faces significant challenges in addressing climate change. As the urgency grows, both city leaders and citizens must come together to prioritize communication and action. Only then can Windsor hope to make strides in its environmental commitments.



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