Item - 2021.MM36.17
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on October 1, 2021 with amendments.
MM36.17 - Joining the United Nations' Cities Race to Zero - by Councillor Mike Layton, seconded by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on October 1 and 4, 2021, adopted the following:
1. City Council declare support for the Cities Race to Zero as part of the United Nation’s Cities Race to Zero campaign and amplify its efforts in building the momentum of the Race to Zero campaign by publicizing our involvement and encouraging more Canadian cities to join in this effort, especially those in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area where regional transportation systems and economies are shared and require joint cooperation.
2. City Council reiterate its position that we are in a global climate emergency.
3. City Council reiterate its position to reach (net)-zero by 2050 or sooner, and commit to endorsing actions that are in line with global efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees celsius.
4. City Council direct the Director, Environment and Energy to submit to the Race for Zero initiative, in advance of COP26 and the City's Net Zero Report (expected in the fourth quarter of 2021), what steps have been taken toward achieving Toronto's interim goal of 65 percent reduction of emissions from 1990 levels by 2030 in order to align with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
5. City Council commit to plan at least one inclusive and equitable climate action as listed in the Cities Race to Zero campaign that will help to place Toronto on a resilient pathway, consistent with the 1.5 degrees Celsius objective of the Paris Agreement and begin implementation no later than the third quarter of 2022.
6. City Council direct the Director, Environment and Energy to report on progress on this initiative annually, beginning no later than the third quarter of 2022 to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee.
Background Information (City Council)
Motions (City Council)
Speaker Nunziata advised Council that the provisions of Chapter 27, Council Procedures, require that Motion MM36.17 be referred to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee. A two-thirds vote of the Council Members present is required to waive referral.
That City Council delete Recommendation 4 and replace it with the following new Recommendation 4:
4. City Council direct the Director, Environment and Energy to submit to the Race for Zero initiative, in advance of COP26 and the City's Net Zero Report (expected in the fourth quarter of 2021), what steps have been taken toward achieving Toronto's interim goal of 65 percent reduction of emissions from 1990 levels by 2030 in order to align with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius.