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Newsletters: CSCD Connections — Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2007 |  |
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For example, the 147 municipal participants in the federation's Partners for Climate Protection program are working toward voluntary targets. In the United States, mayors of 355 cities in 49 states have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, aiming to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions to at least 7 per cent below 1990 levels by 2012. But for all their enthusiasm, something is holding cities back. A recent survey of 10 of the U.S. signatories to the mayors' agreement found that, however committed cities may be to stopping climate change, they cannot tackle it on their own without national co-ordination and leadership. The survey by the U.S.-based Institute for Local Self-Reliance found that, although the 10 cities' commitment is real, not more than one or two will reach the target. The report said: "Many cities will likely fail in their attempts unless complementary state and federal policies are put in place." The report concludes: "It is clear that action by higher levels of government will be needed and helpful to the local efforts. As part of their local climate action plans, cities should add a component that elaborates a strategy to work with other communities to influence state and national greenhouse gas and energy related policies." This will come as no surprise to Canadian municipalities, which have the expertise to lower emissions but are stymied by lack of resources and co- coordinated policies from other orders of government. With the right levers in place, municipalities could do much more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - and do it now. The stakes are high. If we lose the fight to stop climate change, our cities and communities will face rising sea levels, unpredictable and extreme weather, drought, disease and failing food sources. The government of Canada now has a chance to lead the way in harnessing the potential of local governments in fighting climate change. If the federal government wants to reduce emissions quickly, the best place to invest is municipalities. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is calling for further federal investment in municipal public transit, landfill-gas capture, and a focus on energy efficiency. In April, Environment Minister John Baird spoke about harnessing the efforts of municipalities to reduce emissions. His proposed regulatory framework for air emissions will provide municipal governments with opportunities to participate in a domestic carbon-offset system, which could provide incentives for making investments that will improve air quality. It's a good start, but more can be done. We need the federal government to take the lead in an integrated, national partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that could redefine our country as a world leader in the fight against climate change. Winnipeg Councillor Gord Steeves is president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. This article originally appeared in The Toronto Star © 2007 Torstar Corporation Read more CSCD newsletter articles. 
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