Policy Alignments in Climate Change and Sustainable Development
OASIS is an ideal food system, as defined by the Toronto Food Strategy (2018). It prioritizes health and environment. Accomplishes Toronto’s strategic goals. Facilitates sustainable diets. Applies an ecological public health approach. Develops neighbourhood hubs with food access, affordability, and resilience in mind. And favours healthy and sustainable choices in its food pricing.
OASIS is part of Toronto’s low-carbon future, as defined in the city’s climate action strategy, TransformTO (2017). It contributes to reducing emissions and achieving “multiple community-wide priorities including poverty reduction, good quality jobs, healthy communities, and increased resilience to extreme weather (p.2). Adds to designs for near-zero emissions development and retrofitting existing buildings. Reduces food transportation emissions. Stimulates innovate collaborations with the private sector. And reduces residential waste.
OASIS is a sustainable food system, as defined by the Milan Food Pact (2015). It is inclusive. Resilient. Safe. Diverse. Provides governance systems for effective equitable action. Promotes and provides for sustainable nutrition. Strengthens social and economic equity. OASIS is a food cycle of production, supply, distribution, and waste.
OASIS moves urban agriculture forward in Toronto, as defined by the GrowTO Urban Agriculture Plan for Toronto (2012). It has all the motivating factors for urban agriculture: cost reductions, food justice, community growth, carbon footprint reduction, access to healthier and fresher food, mental health, and employment. Links growers to land and space. Strengthens education and training. Increases visibility and promotion of urban agriculture. Adds value to urban gardens – compost! Cultivates relationships and makes necessary the development of supportive policies and government action.
OASIS contributes to the preservation and protection of the environment for future generations, according to the Government of Ontario’s Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan (2018). It helps support resilient families. Helps prepare communities for extreme weather and the effects of climate change. Helps protect clean water. Helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Activates the private sector (property management, construction and development, food). Reduces food waste from the landfills and promotes the reduction of litter in general. Protects soil and generates clean soil. Promotes recreational opportunities with food and nature.
OASIS contributes to a clean growth economy, as defined by the Federal Government of Canada in the policy document Federal Actions for a Clean Growth Economy – Supporting the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (2016). It advances agricultural management practices that help reduce emissions. Mitigates hazards and disasters by investing in infrastructure and advancing efforts to protect against flood damage. Seeks to work with Indigenous people, through community-based initiatives, to build capacity for adaptation action. Investing in OASIS is investing in climate-resilient infrastructure and integrated climate resilient building standards. Investing in OASIS is investing in the protection of health and well-being.
OASIS is sustainable development, as defined by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (2016). These goals (and 169 targets) are included in the Paris Agreement to combat climate change that Canada ratified a few months later. OASIS addresses poverty. Realises food security, improved nutrition, and sustainable agriculture. Ensures healthy lives and promotes wellbeing for all at all ages. Produces inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all. It is gender inclusive. Ensures availability of sustainable management of water and sanitation. Ensures access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. Promotes sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work. OASIS is resilient infrastructure that promotes inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fosters innovation. Helps make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Promotes peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, and helps to build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions. Contributes to sustainable consumption and production patterns. Strengthens the means of implementing and revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development through knowledge sharing and food exchange. Creating OASES is taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.