More trees, lower emissions and greener choices are building a healthier community

RICHMOND HILL – Richmond Hill continues to lead on environmental protection, with strong results highlighted in the City’s second and newly released Environmental Scorecard.

The Scorecard tracks progress on Greening the Hill: Our Community, Our Future, the City’s Environment Strategy from 2020 to 2024, while also referencing data from the 2015 to 2019 Scorecard to show progress over time. It shows meaningful improvements across key areas that support a healthier, more sustainable community. Highlights include:

• A 5.3 per cent increase in tree canopy coverage – the equivalent of more than 107,000 new trees
• Significant reductions in corporate energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
• Lower corporate and community water consumption
• One of the highest waste diversion rates in Canada, holding steady at 68 per cent
• 85 kilometres of new active transportation infrastructure, including bike lanes, trails and sidewalks

The Scorecard also reveals the importance of collaboration in response to increasing challenges from climate change and urban growth. In 2025, the City continued to work closely with residents, community groups and partner organizations to turn environmental goals into on-the-ground action. Notable accomplishments include:

• Hosting Climate Ready Homes workshops and one-on-one consultations with residents, in partnership with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
• Approving new Micromobility and Electric Vehicle Charging strategies to support cleaner, more sustainable transportation choices
• Modernizing zoning, bylaws and the tree permit system to grow and protect Richmond Hill’s urban forest
• Working with residents to plant 9,367 trees, restore 3.1 acres of natural areas, and remove litter from 195 parks, trails and neighbourhoods
• Making simple, low-cost improvements to road curbs near Lake Wilcox to help nesting turtles cross the street safely

These actions reflect Richmond Hill’s commitment to protecting local ecosystems, reducing environmental impact and making it easier for residents to participate in building a greener city.

For more information about Richmond Hill’s environmental programs, achievements and how to get involved, visit RichmondHill.ca/Environment.

Quotes

“I am incredibly proud of the work the City has accomplished and the strong partnerships we’ve built with our community and other key stakeholders to advance our sustainability goals. This progress reflects what’s possible when we work together with a shared purpose. While we know there is still more to do, we remain fully committed to collaborating, innovating and taking action to protect our environment and build a sustainable future for generations to come.” – Mayor David West

Links

• Read the 2020-2024 Environmental Scorecard
• Read the Environment Strategy 2025 Accomplishments