Northumberland County Seeking Feedback on Draft Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan for County Operations

Pete Fisher
3 months ago
• Categories: Local

Northumberland County has taken a significant step forward in its commitment to addressing the climate crisis with the release of its draft Corporate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Plan. This plan, part of the County’s broader Climate Action Strategy, outlines ambitious targets to reduce the carbon footprint of County operations and identifies ways to help facilitate broader change across the community.

The County’s Climate Action Strategy is a multi-year effort which aims at protecting the environment, building resilience, and improving the quality of life for Northumberland residents. The strategy is divided into two phases. Phase one focuses on climate mitigation, introducing the Corporate GHG Emissions Reduction Plan for County operations for public review. Phase two, beginning in 2025, will focus on climate change adaptation – developing a plan to address the impacts of climate change that are already occurring or are anticipated in the future.

Warden Brian Ostrander emphasized the urgent need for local action in the face of a global challenge.

“Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and it demands immediate and sustained action at every level. Municipalities play a crucial role, as they influence approximately 50 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. Northumberland County is committed to leading by example, reducing our emissions, and preparing our community for the impacts of climate change.”

The Corporate GHG Emissions Reduction Plan, which is now out for public review, is a strategic initiative aimed at significantly reducing the County’s carbon footprint and to mitigate climate change.

The plan proposes ambitious goals for County operations and services, including a 65% reduction in GHG emissions by the year 2030 compared to 2005 levels, and achieving net-zero emissions by the year 2050.

The County is encouraging residents to review the draft plan and share their feedback. “This plan is a reflects our collective responsibility to ensure a sustainable future,” states Northumberland County Environmental Officer Korey McKay. “We value community input to help refine and strengthen the plan.

We encourage everyone to review the draft, participate in the conversation, and contribute to our shared climate goals.”

Starting September 9 through October 18, 2024, the County is inviting residents, businesses, and environmental partners to review the draft Corporate GHG Emissions Reduction Plan and provide feedback. The feedback collected will help shape the final GHG Emissions Reduction Plan, which will be presented to County Council later this year.

The plan is available for review on the County’s website, where the public can participate in an online survey or submit comments directly. The County will also be reaching out to area environmental groups and partners to offer presentations on the plan and gather input. Local organizations interested in further discussion are encouraged to reach out to Korey McKay at: mckayk@northumberland.ca for a conversation or presentation.

For more information or to provide feedback, visit Joinin.Northumberland.ca/Climate-Action-planning.

Track the County’s performance in delivering on key environmental performance indicators by visiting our online performance dashboard at //Northumberland.ca/Dashboard.