10 organizations to help Canadian municipalities reach significant carbon emission reductions targets by 2050
Posted in: News Item
Date Posted: 2019-02-11
Organization Name: Federation of Canadian Municipalities
The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) are proud to announce a new initiative to help municipalities across Canada reach significant carbon emission reduction targets. The initiative, known as Transition 2050, will fund training and support delivered by 10 partner organizations to groups of municipalities to foster deep emissions reductions.
Through Transition 2050, municipalities across Canada will work together to develop long-term plans and projects that will contribute to achieving a low carbon economy by 2050 – the year identified as a target date in the Paris Agreement. It will also contribute to carbon emissions reduction in support of the federal Pan-Canadian Framework (PCF).
“The Government of Canada is committed to investing in infrastructure that reduces pollution and leads to cleaner, healthier communities for Canadians,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “These investments will help create new jobs in a low-carbon economy, which will strengthen the middle class. We are proud to support municipalities across Canada in their efforts to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. That’s how we will protect our communities now and in the future.”
“The effects of climate change are already being experienced in Canadian cities and communities,” added Vicki-May Hamm, FCM President. “At the same time, municipalities influence around half of the country’s GHG emissions, making local action critical to reaching national targets. I’m proud to see our programs helping local leaders across Canada continue to work together to build capacity and develop long-term plans and projects that will lead to remarkable change.”
Municipalities are on the front lines of climate change and are responsible for 60 percent of the country’s transportation networks, water systems, and other public infrastructure that supports the country’s economy and quality of life. Local action is critical to reaching our national climate goals, even more so considering that up to half of Canada’s carbon emissions are under the direct or indirect influence of municipal governments. Transition 2050 partners will build a network of communities that share similar barriers to carbon reduction, and who are working toward comparable solutions. Participating municipalities will then work with their peers using innovative approaches to the challenges they face and leveraging lessons learned from each other.
For example, The Clean Foundation is partnering with six municipalities in Nova Scotia to develop strategies to overcome climate action barriers and implement municipal action plans, while Vivre en Ville will work with six Québec municipalities to ensure greenhouse gas emission reductions are a priority in land-use planning. In Alberta, The Natural Step is developing a roadshow with five municipalities. The goal is to help the participants prepare and implement action plans to reduce emissions while creating a framework to help overcome potential roadblocks.
Transition 2050 grants, covering funding to a maximum of $400,000 and up to 80 percent of eligible project costs, are provided through FCM’s Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP) and are funded by the Government of Canada.
Related information:
FCM’s Transition 2050 initiative
FCM’s Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program
Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan