Download Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol to Improve

CITY CLERK
Clause embodied in Report No. 3 of the Board of Health, as adopted by the Council of the
City of Toronto at its meeting held on April 16, 17 and 18, 2002.
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Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol to Improve
Air Quality and Fight Global Climate Change.
(City Council on April 16, 17 and 18, 2002, adopted this Clause, without amendment.)
The Board of Health recommends adoption of the following joint report (March 27, 2002)
from Councillor David Miller, Toronto Transit Commission, Councillor Jack Layton,
Toronto Atmospheric Fund, and Councillor Joe Mihevc, Board of Health:
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)
the City of Toronto endorses ratification of the Kyoto Protocol;
(2)
this resolution be communicated to the Prime Minister of Canada, Members of
Parliament representing Toronto, the Ontario Minister of Environment, the Ontario
Minister of Energy, federal and provincial opposition leaders, community media and the
Federation of Canadian Municipalities; and
(3)
the City of Toronto, through the GTA Clean Air Council, of which the City is a founding
member, urge all member municipalities involved in the Smog Summit to pass a Council
motion calling for the endorsement of the Kyoto Protocol as a strategy in reducing smog
in the Greater Toronto Area.
Rationale:
Improving air quality has become an important goal for the City of Toronto, since over
1,000 people die prematurely from air pollution. Fortunately, initiatives which reduce smog also
reduce Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions which cause global climate change. The City of
Toronto, especially through Toronto Public Health and the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, has been
a leader in fighting smog and in reducing GHG emissions. Unfortunately, fighting smog and
global climate change cannot be done without the active support of other orders of government.
Ratifying the Kyoto Protocol is a necessary first step the Federal Government must take in order
to help the City of Toronto to reduce smog and avoid the extremely expensive environmental,
health and financial costs associated with global climate change. The Kyoto Protocol calls for a
6% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012.
Toronto City Council
April 16, 17 and 18, 2002
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Board of Health
Report No. 3, Clause No. 4
Fortunately, the City of Toronto has shown the rest of Canada that Kyoto targets are not only
practical but economical. The City has reduced its own corporate CO2 emissions by 67% from
1990 levels through a number of innovative initiatives and investments. Because of this
reduction, the city now earns and saves millions of dollars in revenue from these investments.
And there is plenty of room for further reductions on an economic basis. If the City successfully
executes policies already approved by Council, it will achieve a 91% reduction in CO2 emissions
by 2010, putting the community as a whole on a trajectory to achieving the Kyoto target locally.
(See Executive Summary from “Moving Beyond Kyoto: Toronto’s Emission Reductions
1990-1998 and the Future Outlook”, February 12, 2002.)
Reductions in CO2 emissions also translates into reductions in gases that cause smog which is
responsible for over 1,000 premature deaths every year in Toronto. According to a recent
Government of Canada report: “There are co-benefits associated with actions to mitigate GHG
emissions. In particular, actions to reduce GHG emissions also typically reduce other
atmospheric emissions…benefits associated with reductions in these pollutants…estimated…at
between $300 and $500 million per year.”
By adopting the above motions, Toronto would join a growing chorus of municipalities across
Canada, led by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), endorsing the ratification of
the Kyoto Protocol (see attached letter and report from the FCM).
Finally, Toronto will be hosting the Smog Summit on June 21st, 2002. The above
recommendations will send a clear signal to the Federal Government, the Provincial Government
and to other municipalities from across the GTA that the City of Toronto is serious about
partnering with all orders of government to fight smog and global climate change.
The Board of Health also submits the following communication (March 18, 2002) from
Councillor Jack Layton, President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities:
When we burn gasoline to drive our cars, natural gas to heat our homes, coal to make electricity,
or cut trees faster than they can be replaced we add greenhouse gases to the air. Scientists have
sounded an alarm: if we don’t slow the amount of pollution going into the air, our climate will
change leading to more extreme weather and disruption to communities.
Some of us are already affected. Warm temperatures in northern communities like Dawson City
are melting the permafrost; buildings are sinking; winter roads no longer reliable. Our friends in
the Prairies are facing another summer of drought and pest outbreaks. Air quality in southern
Ontario has never been so bad. Extreme winds and storms are affecting communities in the east.
Is this climate change? Scientists say these events are typical of climate change and that we can
expect more of the same in the future. Once we change the climate, there is no turning back.
When faced with an irreversible problem, it’s best to take a precautionary approach. That’s what
governments did in 1992 when they agreed to the Framework Convention on Climate Change
and again in 1997 when they negotiated the Kyoto Protocol.
Toronto City Council
April 16, 17 and 18, 2002
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Board of Health
Report No. 3, Clause No. 4
The Kyoto Protocol is a small step in the long road to protecting the climate and our citizens. It
starts to put the brakes on the amount of greenhouse gas pollution going into the air. The
Protocol is flexible and designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions at the least cost. Can we cut
this pollution without harming our communities? Yes we can.
I co-chaired a process on behalf of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in 1998
that looked at what municipal governments could do to cut greenhouse gas pollution. We found
that using energy more efficiently, capturing landfill gas, diverting organic waste from landfills,
and investing in public transit, renewable energy and community energy systems could save
money, improve the local environment and cut greenhouse gas emissions. This is sustainable
community development.
Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol will improve Canada’s productivity and stimulate innovation.
Implementation of the Protocol can be designed to ensure that no industry or sector suffers
disproportionately. We can design a response that improves competitiveness, not hurt it.
I urge your council to endorse the attached model resolution, or to modify it to meet your
community’s needs. Council endorsement on Earth Day, April 22, 2002, is one important
milestone, but endorsements are welcome until Fall 2002. Municipal government support for
ratification of the Kyoto Protocol could make the difference as the Government of Canada
decides whether to follow through on its international commitment; a decision expected by year
end.
FCM has prepared talking points, a power point presentation and an analysis of the climate risks
to Canada’s regions and communities to assist you in presenting the resolution to Council. FCM
can also arrange a limited number of council presentations. For more information, or to arrange
a council presentation contact: Paul Gregory, 613-241-5221, ext. 291, or [email protected] or
visit our Web site at www.fcm.ca
There’s much to be gained from taking action now, so much to lose if we don’t.
MODEL RESOLUTION
WHEREAS climate change causes drought, permafrost melting, sea-level rise and floods that
damage municipal infrastructure, displace citizens and create a financial burden for municipal
governments;
WHERAS economic activity in rural and northern communities relying on fisheries, tourism,
forestry and agriculture is disrupted by climate change;
WHEREAS investments in building retrofits, community energy systems, water conservation,
renewable energy technologies, waste reduction, landfill gas capture, fleet management and
public transit reduce municipal operating costs, help maintain community services and protect
public health while cutting greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change;
Toronto City Council
April 16, 17 and 18, 2002
Board of Health
Report No. 3, Clause No. 4
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WHEREAS forestry and agriculture sectors can expand business opportunities by increasing the
capacity of trees and soils to absorb carbon dioxide and by developing renewable fuels like
ethanol;
WHEREAS fossil fuel producers are increasing investments in renewable energy and alternative
fossil fuel technologies that reduce the amount of carbon dioxide going into the air; and
WHEREAS 72 percent of Canadians want the Kyoto Protocol ratified;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT ____________________endorses ratification of the Kyoto Protocol;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this resolution be communicated to our Member of
Parliament, provincial environment and energy ministers, federal and provincial opposition
leaders, community media and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
_________________________
NAME
________________________
ELECTED TITLE
_________________________
MUNICIPALITY
________________________
DATE
_________
The Board of Health also had before it a copy of “Climate Change Effects on Regions in
Canada”, prepared for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities by Global Change Strategies
International, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk’s office.
(City Council on April 16, 17 and 18, 2002, had before it, during consideration of the foregoing
Clause, a communication (April 11, 2002) from Mr. Bob Mills, MP, Official Opposition Senior
Critic, Environment, expressing opposition to the Kyoto Protocol.)
(City Council also had before it, during consideration of the foregoing Clause, briefing
materials, entitled “The Kyoto Protocol, Briefing Materials for City Councillors”, submitted by
Councillor Jack Layton, copies of which are on file in the office of the City Clerk.)