A strategy to guide the city of Calgary towards the goal of zero emissions by 2050 has been approved by city councilors.
At the end of Tuesday, city council members cast 9-6 votes in favor of the updated climate plan, replacing the previous strategy implemented after 2018. ..
Council. Opposed by Sean Chu, Sonya Sharp, Andre Chabot, Richard Putmans, Jennifer Parker and Dan McLean.
"Approval of the climate plan is a step towards allowing the city to present a well-developed action plan and associated budget in November," said Mayor of Calgary, Jyoti Gondek, following a council decision. I did. "It was important to move this forward so that we could start taking some action."
The 99-page document entitled "Pathways to 2050" reduces emissions. Includes a mitigation plan for the city and an adaptation plan to support the city's resilience against more harmful weather events such as the June 2020 hail storm.
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According to Gondek, this strategy integrates climate change measures into how cities operate.
"This strategy aims to guide action plans from all the different business units in the city, leading to a more sustainable, environmentally friendly and cleaner future." Said Gondec.
Read more: The Calgary Commission discusses new communities, the impact of future population growth on climate
If the plan is implemented, the report shows that by 2050 a cumulative investment of $ 87 billion, or $ 3.1 billion annually, will be required.
However, the city administration said that the costs reflected in the report are cumulative economic investment and will not be fully borne by Calgary taxpayers. The
plan includes funding from other levels of government, the private sector, and actions from individual Calgarian people.
"We are all environmentally friendly, but at a cost. This is a fairly ambitious plan," said the 13th ward assembly. Damma Clean said. "What does that cost the average Calgarian?"
I heard that a city council member will submit a clear implementation plan with what the city administration can do on Tuesday.
"Absolutely before you about what we can achieve and what we believe is affordable to recommend you to make that decision. I make a clear proposal, "Calgary City's plan&development manager Stuart Dalglish told the city council.
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But Congress has heard that inaction on climate change could create higher price tags in the future. By 2050, the estimated annual climate risk will be $ 2.6 billion, and by 2080 it will grow to $ 8 billion annually.
Earlier that day, about 100 climate activists gathered on the stairs in front of the city hall to urge Congress to bless the strategy.
"This is a very important strategy, not only in the fight against climate change, but also in the future prosperity of Calgary," said Rob Trenbray, Calgary Climate Hub. "It's really important that Congress knows that the Calgarian is behind this."
According to city modeling, reaching net zero is a "cumulative" of up to $ 80 billion for the Calgarian. It will lead to "energy savings" and could generate $ 60 billion in gross domestic product by 2050.
"Speaking to one of our city's energy companies, they all have clear goals and they have an action plan on how to achieve those goals. "Masu," said Gondec. And by moving just as sensitively, the capital markets are aware of them.
Read more: Over $ 87 billion discussion Calgary's climate strategy postponed until July
The strategy predicts everything Calgary-registered vehicles will have zero emissions by 2050 and aim to make all Calgary buildings net-zero by the same year. 57% of Calgary's total emissions come from the energy used in the city's residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
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The local construction industry iscritical of the feasibility of that part of the plan, Will need to be modified. Every year, 19,000 homes and 317 commercial buildings are zero net.
"People need to agree with this, Ward 6 Coun. Richard Putmans said." If the average person doesn't have romance, it's a net-zero home that they created. It's an illusion for now. ”
The city's administration has a strategy every five years, along with the city's budget cycle, to reflect evolving technology. Said that it needs to be updated.
More details on how to implement the plan are scheduled for November when the city council prepares a budget for the next four years.
"I don't think perfection should be an enemy of good," Ward 3 Coun said. Jasmine Mian said. "This is a good start."
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