Media Release: Town of Parry Sound Releases 2016–2024 Corporate Energy & Green House Gas Emissions Report

Media Release 
September 2, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PARRY SOUND, ON – The Town of Parry Sound has released its 2016–2024 Corporate Energy & Emissions Report, highlighting energy cost savings and progress in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from municipal operations. The report was presented to Council at its September 1, 2026 meeting by staff from the Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere (GBB), who prepared the report.

The 2016–2024 Corporate Energy & Emissions Report tracks energy costs and GHG emissions across Town operations and measures progress under the Town’s Corporate Climate Action Plan. It includes emissions associated with Town buildings and facilities, streetlights, fleet operations, water and wastewater services, and corporate waste.

In 2016, the baseline year, the Town began the implementation of a strategy to reduce GHG emissions. According to the report, the Town’s corporate GHG emissions decreased by approximately 9.7 per cent by 2024. The Town has committed to reducing corporate emissions by 30 per cent from 2016 levels by 2030 and striving for net-zero corporate emissions by 2050.

“Located in the Biosphere, the environment is a top priority for the Town,” said Mayor Jamie McGarvey. “Reducing GHG emissions is a critical step in fighting climate change and we all have a role to play in reducing our impact.”

The report highlights progress across Town operations. Between 2016 and 2024, GHG emissions from water and wastewater operations decreased by 13.6 per cent, while streetlight emissions decreased by 26.3 per cent. Fleet fuel consumption also decreased by approximately 7,400 litres. These efforts and others have not only contributed to lower corporate emissions but have also resulted in financial savings.

"The Town's efforts to reduce corporate GHG emissions also have financial savings,” said David Bywater, Director of Lands and Waters Program at GBB. “Along with those emission reductions, the Town also spent less on energy in 2024 compared to the baseline year of 2016. It's a perfect example of how continuing those practices of energy efficiency, energy conservation, and fuel-switching can have both financial and environmental benefits."

Building on this progress, Town staff will continue to identify best practices and new initiatives that can support further GHG emission reductions and help the Town achieve its 2030 corporate emissions reduction target.

The 2016–2024 Corporate Energy & Emissions Report was prepared through the Town’s participation in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Partners for Climate Protection program and the regional Integrated Communities Energy and Climate Action Plans partnership.

Media Contact
Alana Torresan
Deputy Clerk, Town of Parry Sound
705-746-2101 ext 216
atorresan@parrysound.ca