Carbon Reduction At The Municipal Level

Everyone has a part to play as the world moves toward 2030 and 2050 – important goal posts for carbon reduction in the fight against climate change under the Paris Agreement.

According to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, municipalities have influence over 50 per cent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada. Municipalities are well placed to use regular rounds of procurement to “green” what is being purchased.

This is important so that local citizens see the municipality doing their part – or leading, in some cases. But, environmental regulations on municipal purchasing are inevitable.

Provincial and federal governments have been enacting remedial and preventative climate change initiatives aimed at corporations for years now, and municipal regulations are likely not far behind. A forward-looking purchasing strategy that mitigates carbon release numbers will prepare municipalities for these future requirements.