Guelph may soon be joining the Race to Zero … emissions, that is.
A motion slated to be discussed next month would, if approved, see council reaffirm or set new climate change-related goals for the city, along with interim targets and regular reporting as part of the United Nations Race to Zero campaign for municipalities around the world.
“We have to shift our thinking around our community and municipal government commitment to climate change in understanding it’s not an expense, it’s an investment that actually has a pretty big payback,” said Coun. James Gordon, who’s slated to bring the idea forward during the Dec. 6 committee of the whole meeting. “If we’re not acting to find ways to preserve our infrastructure, which is at risk with climate incidents, that’s going to cost us a bundle.”
Much has changed since council first endorsed the goal of powering municipal operations with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050, adds Coun. Leanne Caron, who intends to second Gordon’s motion, formally putting it on the table for discussion.
That target was set in 2019.
It has become evident that timeline is too far out, she said, pointing to a report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which states more must be done to reduce climate change sooner in order to keep global warming to within 1.5 degrees Celsuis, which is seen as having a less severe impact.
“Nations around the world, cities around the world are reaffirming their strong commitments and changing their timelines,” Caron said.
“Municipalities are talking more of a leadership role where more regional, provincial, federal governments seem to be failing,” added Gordon. “Hopefully the individual actions will make an impact on a national level.”
The motion seeks to reaffirm council’s acknowledgement of a global climate crisis and pledge to “do our part” to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, while putting climate action “at the centre of all decision-making” at the city.
It also includes a clause that would see the net zero goal changed from 2050 to the “2040s or sooner, or by mid-century at the latest.”
A coalition of 15 local organizations has already come out in support of the motion.
"The events unfolding daily in B.C. and Newfoundland underscore the need to be forward thinking as 2050 is way too late!" said Jeff Overton of Extinction Rebellion Guelph, which is part of the coalition, in a news release, referring to severe flooding incidents.
"We need a fully engaged city government to work with the community of Guelph so that we can collectively find our way off the climate precipice," added David Douglas of Green New Deal Guelph in the release.
Other clauses in the motion would see the setting of four-year interim climate change goals – there’s currently one for 2030 – with annual progress reports, and empower city staff to bring forward ideas to help fight climate change.
The interim targets, which would align with one for each term of council, is particularly important in Gordon’s eyes.
“I can tell you from experience as a councillor, it’s awfully easy to say ‘OK, our target’s 2050, let’s get really busy in 2049,” he said. “It’s almost irresistible politically to pass those things on to the next guys and I think this will prevent that.”
For Caron, one of the key clauses is a requirement to “offer regular consultation meetings” with treaty partners and local Indigenous elders to review climate change initiatives.
“I think it’s a really important part of the way we tackle these types of initiatives,” she said.
Both councillors credit their efforts to an event organized by eMERGE Guelph Sustainability, which is also part of the coalition of supporters, earlier this year called “2050 is Too Late.”
“This is really driven by the community and we’re reflecting that will with the motion,” said Gordon, noting it aligns with the UN initiative.
The event explored ways to achieve climate goals much sooner than 2050.
