Climate concerns were raised at Coquitlam council this week but if environmental activists were hoping for a strong statement about a climate emergency, they came away empty-handed.
Instead, the city will “explore” the actions required to achieve international greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets in its upcoming environmental sustainability plan.
The Force of Nature Alliance’s efforts to jolt Tri-City councils into action on reducing GHGs — including adopting the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) climate targets to reduce GHG emissions by 45% below 2010 levels by 2030 and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 — has so far been met with mixed reaction.
Only Port Moody has declared a climate emergency.
In saying no, both Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam pointed to action they have already taken to reduce GHG emissions over the last decade.
In Coquitlam, but both Mayor Richard Stewart and Coun. Craig Hodge, who chairs the city’s environmental committee, said the impacts of climate change are becoming more severe but making a proclamation and accepting targets would circumvent plans under way to develop a Strategic Environmental Sustainability Plan. The plan is supposed to include targets and progress reports.
“Every member of council recognizes the urgency of the climate reality we face as a globe and that Coquitlam has always been of the position that rather than speak, we take action,” Stewart said, noting the city doesn’t make proclamations.
But while the decision to explore the actions required to achieve IPPC targets in the upcoming plan was unanimously approved, at least one councillor said the globe is facing a climate emergency and more action is needed immediately.
“I still believe we are in a climate emergency,” Coun. Chris Wilson said. “We are not doing enough and quickly enough. And I appreciate work staff doing on a sustainability plan and I hope we can commit to do a lot more. I believe the targets that are set out are essential targets to reach.”
Other councillors’ opinions on how the city should deal with climate change issues ranged from congratulatory remarks on actions the city has already taken as well as comments on the responsibility citizens have for reducing their own emissions, planting trees to reduce carbon and the need for senior governments to help municipalities obtain data to measure progress.
In a statement, Force of Nature, whose members attended Monday's council meeting, expressed disappointment that Coquitlam council didn’t make a statement emphasizing the urgency of the situation or immediately adopt the IPCC-recommended climate targets.
“Force of Nature looks forward to Coquitlam adopting the IPCC emission reduction targets next year and the strong strategic plan that will see Coquitlam racing to net-zero emissions.”
In June, Port Moody unanimously declared a climate emergency in response to a report by councillors Amy Lubik and Meghan Lahti, who called for actions to reduce carbon, including in new buildings, while in November, Port Coquitlam did not pass Force of Nature’s recommendation. At the time, PoCo Mayor Brad West told the Force of Nature reps that PoCo has had a Climate Action plan for a decade, is a leader in the issue and is cutting greenhouse gases through better planning and building.
