News Release
HRM Achieves Climate Change Milestone
(Tuesday, March 22, 2011) - The Halifax Regional Municipality received exciting news yesterday. HRM has officially completed milestone 5 of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) “Partners in Climate Protection Program” for Corporate Green House Gas (GHG) Reductions. Milestone 5 is the final step in this international municipal protocol for GHG reduction management. HRM is only the 7th municipality in all of Canada to achieve this milestone.
The Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program is a network of Canadian municipal governments that have committed to reducing greenhouse gases and acting on climate change. PCP is the Canadian component of ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) network, which involves more than 900 communities worldwide. PCP is a partnership between the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability.
"Halifax Regional Municipality is truly a best in class performer as a municipality when it comes to work by Regional Council and staff with respect to moving forward. As a world class leader in Climate Change" commented Peter Lund, the Chair of the HRM's Environment and Sustainability standing Committee of Councillors. "We should pat ourselves on the back".
HRM’s quest for this recognition began in 1997 with Council joining the FCM 20% Club (commitment to reduce GHG's by 20%). In 2005 the corporate target was set to reduce GHG's by 20% below 2002 levels by 2012. The Municipality is on track to meet the 2012 target.
"I'm pleased with this recognition," added vice-Chair Debbie Hum "We have a lot of work to do to face our global environmental challenges, but we're proving that with a bit of perseverance that we can accomplish great things."
At a presentation to Regional Council today, providing an update on the 2005 Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan, staff will be seeking Council direction to work on the next step forward - establishing a 2020 GHG reduction target.
Richard MacLellan, Manager of the Sustainable Environment Management Office (SEMO) said, "It is very rewarding to work with an elected body that has embedded Environmental Sustainability within their governance framework. Working with the former Energy and Underground Services Committee and new Environment and Sustainability Committee has enabled us to continue to make constant strides in bettering our world for future generations"
For information on the FCM program visit http://fmv.fcm.ca/Partners-for-Climate-Protection/
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Contact
Councillor Peter Lund, Chair of the Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, cell phone: 497-7508.
Councillor Debbie Hum, Vice-chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, cell phone: 476-7212.
Richard MacLellan, Manager of the Sustainable Environment Management Office (SEMO), cell phone: 490-6056
