WATERLOO REGION — Regional politicians endorsed a community plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The regionwide climate action plan aims to cut emissions to six per cent below 2010 levels by 2020.
The cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge already endorsed the plan. Regional councillors gave their blessing at a committee meeting this week; formal regional approval is expected at a council meeting next Wednesday.
In 2010, the region’s greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at 3.6 million tonnes per year, and are forecast to increase more than 17 per cent by 2020 as the population grows and energy demands rise.
Along with the region and the municipalities, REEP Green Solutions and Sustainable Waterloo Region joined a collaboration called Climate Action Waterloo Region that’s helping to guide the process.
Each of the cities came up with proposals that will help reach the reduction goal. They include such things as upgrading street lights and energy retrofits.
In October, the region announced its own corporate emission reduction plan, targeting a five per cent drop by 2019.
See the original story here: http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4254405-regional-councillors-endorse-climate-plan/