The City of Saint John has joined the race to zero.
It is an international pledge from cities across the globe recognizing the global climate emergency while committing the Paris Agreement’s goal of keeping global heating below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
In October, Saint John Councillor, Brent Harris, brought it forward as a motion, and at a November meeting, it was unanimously adopted.
“I’m very excited to know that we’ve got this international commitment, which requires us to report and measure our outcomes, and that is what is going to drive action.”
Saint John is the second city in Atlantic Canada to adopt this pledge, and Harris believes it will, “put (Saint John) to the front of the line for outside investments from other foundations, or organizations because they see us taking it seriously.”
However, Saint John has several industry sectors, which may cause a disadvantage.
“The City of Saint John has very little capacity, or legislative responsibilities to regulate these industries, or to impose restrictions on them because that comes from the provincial government,” said Harris.
So, to unveil new climate change initiatives the city will need funding from all the federal and provincial governments.
“We are the first city in the province to put forward such commitments with backup plans that are shovel ready, they just need outside support,” mentioned Harris.
“So, that’s what we’re hoping to do, is to continue to pitch those plans so they do become shovel ready, so all we need is an investment, and that’s what we think is going to move the needle,” added Harris.
Follow
