With the world’s attention on Copenhagen and the likely dashed hopes for a real commitment to act from some parts of the world, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities has released a document drawing attention to the key role municipalities can play in addressing climate change.
Act Locally – The Municipal Role in Fighting Climate Change – FCM, Dec 8 2009
One of the interesting findings in their research is that the total estimated potential for emission reductions by municipalities in Canada relative to a 2006 baseline is 48 Mt. Over one quarter of these emissions can be achieved with no cost or a positive return on investment. More than two thirds of these emission reductions can be achieved at a cost of less than $25/tonne reduced. All reductions are projected to cost less than $75/tonne reduced which is significantly less than the projected cost of carbon capture and storage.
These results fly in the face of some criticism that suggest the cost of reducing emissions is too costly. This is not the case – certainly not in the area of conservation and efficiency which has significant room for advancement. Although that is not to say that barriers don’t exist even to going after the low hanging fruit.
Filed under: Blog, Community Energy Planning
