Municipalities tackle collective issues that significantly affect people’s daily lives, in their commute or their monthly utility bill. Indeed, they bring politics closer to citizens. Municipalities are well-positioned to lead these debates and support action. Should the province invest in carbon capture, utilisation and storage to lower the industry’s emissions or focus on emerging energy sources like wind, solar and hydrogen? Another essential question is: Do Albertans want to address climate change while maintaining current social and economic conditions, or develop climate policy in concert with other priorities, including social equity and justice? For example, the future of Alberta’s oil and gas industry, representing around a quarter of provincial GDP and about 120,000 workers, is a major concern. Polls tend to show that Albertans recognize the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions about as much as the rest of Canada.īut the province must answer many important questions before that concern can be turned into action. It is important to remember that, despite the outcome of the last provincial election, Albertans are not necessarily against environmental and climate measures. In some cases, municipalities have even acted overtly against their national governments, for instance, by joining the America is all in movement initiated after former president Donald Trump announced the United States would withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Calgary, for example, has been involved in sustainability and resilience networks for many years. Municipalities of all sizes worldwide work locally, but also globally, advocating for stronger climate policies including local government concerns through transnational networks like ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. Among the planned measures are the extension of its active transportation network to foster biking and walking as modes of daily transportation and the extension of the light rail transit system, among other initiatives. Late last year, city council reshaped its budget to make climate action a priority.
In 2021, it updated its energy transition strategy and action plan to increase efforts towards a low-carbon city.
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In 2018, the City of Edmonton approved its adaptation strategy and action plan to prepare for the effects of climate change on the city and its communities. As they generally deal with critical sectors such as waste, transportation or water, municipalities can reduce their environmental impact.Īlthough it is not one of their traditional prerogatives, they have started to adopt ambitious climate action plans. In this context, constructive dialogue about what Canada’s climate and energy future looks like is not possible.Īlbertans concerned about climate change should look to the municipal level as a forum for public dialogue and action. The Opposition Conservative party has been content to pillory carbon pricing for years, without providing a credible alternative approach. Yet, the federal government’s countrywide price on carbon has monopolized debate and politicians have taken polarized stances.
Manage Print Subscription / Tax ReceiptĪt the federal level, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberals have prioritized climate action during their time in government.
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