A new study by the University of Toronto's Institute for Sustainable Energy has found that Ontario municipalities need to do more to report on their progress in implementing climate and sustainability plans.

The study, which was commissioned by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, analyzed the climate and sustainability plans of 20 Ontario municipalities. The researchers found that while all of the municipalities had plans in place, many of them lacked specific targets and timelines for achieving their goals. Additionally, the researchers found that many of the municipalities did not have a system in place for tracking their progress.

The study's authors recommend that Ontario municipalities adopt a more standardized approach to reporting on their climate and sustainability plans. They also recommend that municipalities set specific targets and timelines for achieving their goals, and that they develop a system for tracking their progress.

"This study shows that Ontario municipalities are making progress in developing climate and sustainability plans, but there is still more that can be done," said study co-author Dr. Stephanie Cairns. "By adopting a more standardized approach to reporting, municipalities can better track their progress and identify areas where they need to improve."

The study's findings are consistent with the results of a 2018 study by the Pembina Institute, which found that Ontario municipalities are not doing enough to address climate change. The Pembina Institute study found that only 15% of Ontario municipalities had a climate plan in place, and that only 5% of municipalities had a plan that included specific targets and timelines for achieving their goals.

The need for more reporting on municipal climate and sustainability plans is becoming increasingly important as the impacts of climate change become more severe. In recent years, Ontario has experienced a number of extreme weather events, including flooding, droughts, and wildfires. These events have caused significant damage and have resulted in the loss of lives.

By adopting a more standardized approach to reporting on their climate and sustainability plans, Ontario municipalities can better track their progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. This information can help municipalities make informed decisions about their climate and sustainability policies, and it can also help them to communicate their progress to the public.