Across Canada, municipalities are already taking action towards a greener economy. Here are a few in motion with promising results:
Halifax
- Solar City program: In 2020, Halifax launched an initiative to increase the number of solar panels in homes and businesses across the city.
- The program offers financing and incentives to help residents and businesses. So far, it has already installed over 1,000 solar panels in the city. It is expected to reduce GHG emissions by over 300 tonnes, annually.
Montréal
- Montréal’s Climate Plan: In 2018, the City of Montréal launched a plan to reduce GHG emissions by 55% by 2030. It includes initiatives to promote public transit, increase renewable energy, and enhance energy-efficiency in buildings.
- The city has already seen a 35% reduction in GHG emissions from 1990 levels.
Toronto
- Tower Renewal Program: This Toronto-based initiative aims to transform the city’s aging apartment towers into more energy-efficient and sustainable buildings. It includes retrofits to improve insulation, reduce energy consumption, and install green roofs and solar panels.
- The program has already retrofitted over 60 buildings and is expected to save over 12,000 tonnes of GHG emissions, annually.
- TransformTO Net Zero Climate Action Strategy: In 2021, Toronto set out to reduce GHG emissions to net zero by 2040—one of the most ambitious green transition goals in all of North America.
Vancouver
- The Greenest City Action Plan: In 2011, the City of Vancouver set ambitious targets to become the greenest city in the world by 2020.
- It has made significant progress towards its goals, including a 12% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 2007, and over 1,000 EVC stations.
- Climate Emergency Action Plan: In 2020, Vancouver launched another plan to cut carbon pollution in half by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality before 2050.
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