King Township aims for 35% reduction in corporate emissions

The township previously set a goal of a 45% reduction in emissions

Yorkreigon.com
February 6, 2020
Laura Broadley

King Township has adopted an energy management plan to reduce emissions of carbon and other greenhouse gases by 35 per cent by 2030 -- despite a previous aspirational goal of 45 per cent.

A special report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said that, by 2030, human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide need to fall globally by 45 per cent from 2010 levels.

Council voted in July to pass a resolution to declare a climate emergency three weeks after the House of Commons passed a similar motion nationally.

To achieve a 45 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases between 2018 and 2030, the township would have to reduce or offset its current levels by 630,000 kg, according to a staff report.

Instead, staff recommended in December a reduction of 35 per cent, or 490,000 kg.

Bruce Craig, chair of Concerned Citizens of King Township, said he’s “disappointed” in council’s decision to scale back the figure.

 “It’s possible that it could be raised in future budgets. It was connected to the budget and to a plan to begin to reduce emissions,” Craig said.

Council wasn’t at a point that it was willing to reduce services in order to meet an emissions goal, he said.

“That will likely be a key part of this,” Craig said. “We have a council that seems to be very set on maintaining and even expanding services to residents here. In terms of reducing emissions, sometimes you need to scale back on part of what you’re doing.”

The township’s aspirational goal of a 45 per cent reduction in emissions and the declaration of a climate emergency was welcomed by some residents.

“I think for a number of us really interested in moving forward in climate action, it was just wonderful to see,” Craig said.

But Craig said it’s not what the township says it’s going to do but what it actually does.

“I believe that’s still there. I can’t predict exactly where it’s going to go at this point. I’m hopeful it will go up in time, but I’m not confident for sure,” Craig said.

Chris Fasciano, director of parks, recreation and culture, said the corporate emissions goal doesn’t mean the township’s overall goal of 45 per cent has changed.

“From a corporate perspective, what we can commit to reducing on our side, there’s a 35 per cent emission reduction that we’re looking at from our facilities and our vehicles,” Fasciano said.

The 45 per cent can still be reached through other means such as tree planting or carbon sequestration through wetland redevelopment, Fasciano said.

Fasciano said the aspirational goal of 45 per cent is an “aggressive” target and 35 per cent was more feasible.