The City is looking to improve the air we breathe with some new goals. Environmental Technologist Kase Devries says they would like to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 6 per cent lower than what they were at in 2015 by 2035. He says it is part of the Partners for Climate Protection Program.
“We have a whole 5 milestone step-by-step process for municipalities to go through and establish emissions reductions targets. The 6 per cent is seen as their entry-level starting point.”
The total greenhouse gas emissions in 2015 was 1.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in the city. Data is collected from local service providers like natural gas, electricity and work vehicles to come up with the number.
Devrees says the 6 per cent goal is not set in stone and the city can adopt different goals in the future.
“The target itself can be adjusted itself as new information comes in. There is no repercussions if we don’t make it to that target. We can adjust it in the coming years. Places like Edmonton have done that already.”
Edmonton has a goal of 35 per cent below their 2005 levels by 2035.