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A necessary step to curbing urban emissions is the development of high-density housing. “Provincial policy, including the Provincial Planning Statement, supports intensification and building "compact and complete communities" as a strategy to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and plan more adaptive communities that are resilient to the impacts of climate change. [...] Density within built up areas supports low carbon transportation choices, such as walking, cycling, and public transit. Intensification in Toronto also reduces the need for sprawl to accommodate our housing needs in the region, helping to protect agricultural lands, water resources and natural areas.”

To reduce urban emissions, building high-density housing is critical. “Provincial policy, including the Provincial Planning Statement, supports intensification and building ‘compact and complete communities’” as a strategy to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and plan more adaptive communities that are resilient to the impacts of climate change. 
 

Amidst intensifying urban sprawl, the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) seeks to continue its plan to infill new residences in existing urban space. The goals of these plans are to address Toronto’s housing shortage while increasing space efficiency and thereby reducing emissions. New Torontonians “in low-rise neighbourhoods can help stabilize declining populations, optimize the use of existing infrastructure, and support local retail establishments and services.”
 

Densification is an important part of becoming more energy efficient and systemically reducing emissions from buildings in Toronto. Smaller homes require less energy for heating and cooling rooms. The recommended "As-of-right Zoning for Mid-rise Buildings on Avenues" is part of the Housing Action Plan to enable more housing along major streets and avenues. It includes updated "Rear Transition Performance Standards" and aims to allow "as-of-right heights and densities" for mid-rise buildings, potentially adding nearly 61,000 new dwelling units. These changes support the goal of meeting or exceeding the provincial housing target of 285,000 new homes over the next decade.

“Existing buildings are Toronto’s largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for approximately 58% of total community-wide emissions…Mandatory emissions performance standards for all existing buildings that will require improved emissions performance over time is the most critical of these actions to drive transformation.”

Through the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), “the City offers low-interest loans to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in support of the City’s TransformTO climate action strategy and net-zero emissions target.

“The City offers low-interest loans to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in support of the City’s TransformTO climate action strategy and net-zero emissions target.”

Building on the city-wide work embodied in TransformTO, the City has developed a comprehensive Net Zero Existing Buildings Strategy that will chart a path to a decarbonized and net zero emissions building sector. The Strategy presents the background information and set of recommended building-scale actions and city-wide policies necessary for the City of Toronto to transform its existing building sector.