Canadian cities contribute to over half of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, positioning them as crucial players in the climate change battle, according to a study by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Despite their significant role, a comprehensive overview of climate action across these cities has been elusive due to fragmented information.
The Municipal Net-Zero Action Research Partnership (N-ZAP) aims to bridge this gap. Concordia researcher Adriane MacDonald spearheaded a four-month survey involving 256 municipalities across 10 provinces, covering around 69.5% of Canada’s population. This survey gathered data on current and planned climate actions, greenhouse gas emission inventories, policies, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
“Thanks to this survey, we now have a better idea of where we are and where we need to go to meet Canada’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050,” said MacDonald, an associate professor at the John Molson School of Business and Canada Research Chair in Governance and Sustainability.
Municipalities are vital in achieving Canada’s greenhouse gas reduction targets at local, provincial, and national levels, contributing to the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C as outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Their active involvement in planning, implementing, and monitoring climate actions is crucial for reducing local emissions and fostering a sustainable, low-carbon future.
The new database and report from N-ZAP highlight that local governments are making significant strides in climate action. The participating municipalities provided essential information about their climate action plans, greenhouse gas inventories, policy measures, and stakeholder engagement activities.
The survey results indicate that while Canadian cities are making meaningful efforts to combat climate change, there is a need for accelerated interventions, more robust targets, and enhanced efficiency to support national climate change initiatives.
By focusing on local efforts, Canadian municipalities can significantly impact the nation’s overall strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, showcasing the importance of coordinated and well-documented climate action.