Toronto moves toward target of net-zero emissions by 2040, but advocates want specifics

A Toronto city council committee passed a new climate action strategy Thursday to reduce the city's greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2040, but some say the plan doesn't include enough specifics. 

Advocates gathered virtually Thursday morning to discuss the new plan and the amendments they wish to put forward ahead of presenting the plan to the city's Infrastructure and Environment Committee.

"We're really looking to see that Toronto doesn't just set these ambitious targets, but that the city sets clear and concrete action plans to meet these targets," said Diana Yoon, a specialist with the Toronto Environmental Alliance. 

Yoon, alongside city councillors Mike Layton and Gord Perks, expressed concern that the city has made similar promises in the past but a detailed plan of action has yet to materialize. 

"We need to cut emissions quickly, we have to improve housing and we have to create good, green jobs in our communities," Yoon said.

The new proposal is set to go before city council on Dec. 15.

This effort follows last week's recommendation from Mayor John Tory to speed up the net-zero timeline by 10 years, which would make Toronto one of three big North American cities to aim for this milestone.

The city's Infrastructure and Environment Committee met Thursday to discuss the new proposal, debating and voting on new climate targets for the first time in years.

The new proposal aims to curb emissions by 45 per cent by 2025, and 65 per cent by 2030. 

The city's climate action strategy, TransformTO, was first introduced in 2017 and two years later council voted to accelerate that strategy, originally aiming for a 30 per cent reduction in emissions by 2020, a 65 per cent reduction by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.

Layton wants to ensure that the city can follow through on the new target with specific directives.

"The plan is a good target, but it's a plan for a plan," he said at the meeting Thursday.

"The city's climate report has the right targets, but it's missing many of the specific actions needed to reach these targets" Layton said in press release.

"The good news is, it's not too late. We can make the incredibly necessary changes to accelerate creative action on greening buildings and transportation."