Burnaby latest city to declare climate emergency
Posted September 9, 2019 8:59 pm.
Last Updated September 9, 2019 9:04 pm.
BURNABY (NEWS 1130) – The city of Burnaby has now declared a climate emergency, and in response is planning on cutting gas emissions.
City Council made the decision Monday night, and directed staff to come up with a plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
“A warming climate endangers everything from our local economy to the well-being of our citizens,” Mayor Mike Hurley says. “Transitioning to carbon neutrality will enhance our environmental health, resilience and sustainability.”
The city will follow the targets put out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to keep the rise of global temperature to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
RELATED: North, West Vancouver councils latest in B.C. to declare climate emergencies
“It’s important we recognize this climate crisis, and the necessity for urgent action to transition to a new energy economy,” says Councillor Colleen Jordan, Chair of the Environment and Social Planning Committee.
Force of Nature volunteers and activists have been calling for Burnaby to adopt the emission reduction targets put forward by the IPCC.
“Tonight, I am so proud to be a Burnaby resident,” says Stephen Dreaver, a Force of Nature volunteer. “Our cities across the Lower Mainland are showing the provincial and federal governments what real climate action looks like.”
Seven other municipalities have declared a climate emergency, including Vancouver, Richmond, New Westminster, and Port Moody.
Council committed to new targets for reducing carbon emissions, including a 45% reduction by 2030, and 75% reduction by 2040.
