Green-minded Londoners are being asked to put forward a few ideas to help the city reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change.
City officials have set a target date of 2050 for achieving net-zero community greenhouse gas emissions and are currently putting together a plan - dubbed the Climate Emergency Action Plan - to map out how to get there. As part of the creation process, community members are being asked for input on what steps the city can take to best achieve this ambitious goal.
"This is a community conversation, and as the Climate Emergency Action Plan develops this year, there will be new and more opportunities to get involved and participate,” Mike Fabro, the city’s manager of sustainability and resiliency, said in a statement.
London joined more than 1,300 cities worldwide last April when city council declared a climate change emergency. Seven months later, city staff put together a report for municipal politicians with tangible actions to be taken immediately, within 4 months, and within one year to help reach the net-zero community greenhouse gas emissions target. Among the immediate actions was the creation of a new climate emergency action plan.
“We must develop an action-oriented, collaborative plan to reach a target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in London by the year 2050,” said Jay Stanford, the city's director of environment, fleet and solid waste. “To accomplish this goal, we need to work together to ensure that idea generation, the economy, the community, and the environment are all considered on the path towards long-term sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction.”
Londoners interested in weighing in on the issue will be able to complete an online survey at getinvolved.london.ca/climate or by visiting the city's booth at the Lifestyle Home Show at Western Fair District Agriplex this weekend. Additional community feedback dates are also being planned for the near future.
Net-zero emissions is achieved by removing any remaining human-caused greenhouse gas emissions through carbon removal in the atmosphere.
City officials have previously stated the top source of greenhouse gas emissions in London is personal vehicles, accounting for 31 per cent of all emissions. That is followed by single-family homes (19 per cent). It is also estimated Londoners spent nearly $1.6-billion on energy commodities such as gas and electricity in 2018.
