City claims to be far ahead of other municipalities for GHG reduction
The City of Laval has announced that it is pledging to reduce its output of greenhouse gases by 33 per cent by the year 2035.
“I am especially proud to announce a series of ambitious measures that will allow us to significantly reduce our output of greenhouse gases,” Mayor Marc Demers said in a statement.
“From now to 2035, Laval pledges to reduce its output by 33 per cent, which is significant. Our target surpasses even the one proposed by the Paris Accord.”
Meeting a goal
According to the City of Laval, Laval stands out among virtually all municipalities in Quebec and across Canada as the only city to have made a firm commitment to follow a program designed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
“Political courage means not only announcing an ambitious goal,” said city councillor and executive-committee member responsible for environmental issues Virginie Dufour. “It’s also making sure we reach it. At the City of Laval, we did a sector-by-sector priority analysis which will culminate with the implementation of three five-year plans covering the 2021-2035 period.”
Actions taken
The city says it has taken the following steps to reduce greenhouse gases so far: subsidies and services to companies; subsidies for the purchase of electric bicycles; subsidies to replace oil heating systems and to convert them to electric; household pick-up of old refrigerators; adoption of a plan to adapt to climate changes; creation of several memoirs and participation in consultations on climate change issues; plans for conserving natural areas, urban forests and urban parks and green spaces; a strategy for acquiring natural areas; protection of wetlands of interest in Laval.
