Toronto Sets More Ambitious Climate Change Goals

David Rider reports that the Toronto City Council will consider a proposal to become a carbon-neutral city by 2050. "The proposal from right-leaning Mayor John Tory and left-leaning Coun. Mike Layton, with input from local environmentalists, will update the city’s previous target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to 80 per cent below 1990 city levels by 2050."

Officials reported in July that the city surpassed its 2020 target, to reduce 1990 emissions levels by 30 percent, when it cut emissions by 44 percent. This new commitment will accelerate the process through increased efforts and investments in climate-change reduction strategies.

"Retrofitting Toronto Community Housing buildings to make them more energy efficient, buying electric vehicles including new TTC buses, and enticing Torontonians to get to work by foot, bike or transit, instead of car, are among initiatives in the 2017 'TransformTO' climate action strategy," notes Rider.