#ottghg inaction backgrounder

Era-appropriate climate change policy can create jobs, increase productivity, save tax dollars, and save lives. The City of Ottawa previously had a constructive approach to sustainability planning and policy development, however, over the last couple of years, the approach has shifted considerably. Plans have been disregarded and downplayed, and funds and staff removed from the file. These moves directly contradict the Citys Official Plan and 2011-2014 Strategic Plan. Here's what you need to know: The greenhouse gas (GHG) roundtable is a relatively inconsequential first step to renewing Ottawa's Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan (AQCCMP), which sunset in 2012. No formal plans yet exist for its continuation. Most major cities around the world - currently - have functional climate change plans. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has indicated that local governments have direct or indirect control of up to 50% of GHG emissions." City Council has voted to continue its current FCM status in the Partnership for Climate Protection initiative. Essentially, to maintain our City's status, Ottawa must have a climate change plan. As of January 1, 2013, Ottawa does not have a plan. We have fallen from the highest level of participation to the lowest (in spite of a Council vote directing the City to do the exact opposite). Two other key areas of questionable management include the delivery of the City of Ottawa's "refreshed" Environmental Strategy and the Choosing Our Future strategic planning initiative. To date, the City of Ottawa has not explained how they are going to implement the Choosing Our Future outputs and plans (which cost taxpayers approx. $700K to develop). The "refresh" of the City of Ottawa's Environmental Strategy has oddly remained stagnate. Here's a 2009 quote (during Mayor O'Brien's administration), "It is anticipated that this work will take approximately one year with the goal to bring forward a refreshed strategy to Council in Q3 2010." This did not take place. Here's a recent quote from Councillor McRae: "Funding was also approved for the development, approval, and implementation of a new Environmental Strategy for the City which will roll out in later this year [i.e. 2012]" This - once again - did not take place. At a time when the City is updating its official plan, cycling strategy, pedestrian strategy and transportation master plan, the City has decided to further stall the completion of the Environmental Strategy (and reallocate its associated funds to other budget categories).
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#ottghg is a Twitter, e-mail, and city-wide conversation focusing on era-appropriate climate change policy. Greenhouse gas reduction initiatives create jobs, increase economic productivity, save tax dollars, and save lives. For more information contact: Martin Canning | 613-316-3929 | @MartinGCanning | canning.martin@gmail.com

For the Environment Committee's disposition establishing Council's GHG Roundtable prerogative see (i.e. City of Ottawa's Environment Committee Disposition 18, Tuesday, June 19, 2012, 9:30 a.m.): http://ottawa.ca/calendar/ ottawa/citycouncil/ec/2012/06-19/englishdisposition18.pdf.

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