The Municipality of Clarington is dedicated to protecting the environment while fostering a safe, sustainable, and prosperous community.

To achieve this, Clarington is developing a Green Development Framework (GDF) aimed at establishing sustainability recommendations for new developments. This is part of Clarington's 2024-2027 Strategic Plan to support healthy, resilient communities.

Drawing on best practices, existing building certification programs, and regional sustainability goals, the GDF will offer a consistent, clear, and adoptable framework outlining green standards and guidelines for all phases of development planning, from construction to final acceptance.

What is a Green Development Framework (GDF)?

• Measures developed by the Municipality to encourage developers and builders to create thoughtful and innovative developments within Clarington using sustainable design.
  
• Comprehensive principles to guide development at a level of planning and design that focuses on the community as a whole.
  
• A critical policy tool for Clarington to achieve its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets, Official Plan goals, and other sustainability goals.

Why is a GDF important?

• Municipalities are witnessing rising climate impacts: increased temperatures, severe weather events, threats to agriculture, and impacts to health. Clarington plays a key role in tackling climate change within our own community.

• Municipalities now have the opportunity to put cost-effective policies in place that will benefit taxpayers in the future. 

• With a GDF in place, Clarington can ensure that buildings and infrastructure are constructed to be more resilient to disruptions from extreme weather events. 

What are the benefits of a GDF?

Green Development Frameworks can provide environmental, social, and economic benefits, including:

Environmental Benefits	Social Benefits	Economic Benefits
Reduces energy consumption Reduces vehicle dependency Reduces heat island effect Improves water management Increases green space and biodiversity Increases climate resilience	Improves air quality Promotes healthier, more active lifestyles Increases access to outdoor greenspace Promotes the development of affordable and mixed-use housing Promotes community design that embraces heritage and culture	Increases property values Reduces municipal infrastructure costs  Longer lasting building stock  Reduces energy costs  Job creation

How can I get involved?

Workshops with the development industry and a Public Information Centre with the community are coming later this year. Details will be posted here and pushed to subscribers of Clarington news and alerts (sign-up at www.clarington.net/Subscribe).