In March 2019, the City of Hamilton declared a Climate Change Emergency, and set a target of net-zero emissions by 2050. In order to meet this goal, the city is developing a Community Energy Plan that will help Hamilton meet its future energy needs, while at the same time improving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and developing local community-supported energy solutions.
Over the next year, the city is collecting community feedback to help develop the Community Energy Plan, with surveys asking citizens to: 1) identify a low-carbon action to prioritize; and 2) identify a criteria most important to them when selecting low-carbon actions for Hamilton.
Global annual average temperature has risen by around 1°C since 1850, and is expected to reach a 1.5°C increase between 2030 and 2050. Rising temperatures have a wide range of impacts on the environment, including increases in extreme weather.
Climate scientists have identified a 2°C temperature rise as an important threshold for climate change. In order to limit warming to below 2°C, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has determined that global GHG emissions must reach net-zero by 2050. Hamilton’s Community Energy Plan will help Hamilton to reach this goal.
Now more than ever, it is more important to keep our momentum on climate action going. 2010-2019 was the hottest decade on record, and 2020 is on track to become one of the hottest years on record.
Cities, like Hamilton, are critical to fighting climate change. Urban areas are responsible for approximately 75% of global carbon emissions. At the same time, the impacts of climate change will affect cities significantly. They will have financial impacts on infrastructure, services, livelihoods, and health. For these reasons, the United Nations notes that cities must be a primary part of the plan to tackle climate change.
In order to reach net zero emissions by 2050, Hamilton will need to reduce its reliance on coal and natural gas. To do so, Hamilton will need to improve energy efficiency for homes, buildings, and industry. Green building incentives and retrofits are actions Hamilton can take that are both good for the planet and the economy.
Green building incentives would encourage new builds to exceed green building codes. These codes could include policies on GHG emissions caps, renewable energy installation requirements, or mandatory energy performance ratings. Cities that have already introduced green building codes, like Toronto, have included financial incentives for buildings that meet higher standards voluntarily.
Given that most current buildings will still be used in 2050, it’s also important that existing buildings are retrofitted. These retrofits could include high efficiency air conditioning, efficient lighting, or improved insulation. Not only will these changes reduce emissions, they’ll also provide significant energy savings.
Neighbouring communities have introduced community energy plans.
The most recent is Oakville’s Community Energy Plan, which was endorsed by the town in February 2020, and has a goal of reducing GHG emissions by at least 50% by 2041.
This is Hamilton’s chance to get it right! To fill in the survey, go to: https://www.hamilton.ca/city-initiatives/priority-projects/community-energy-plan
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