The CEAP was adopted by City Council in 2008, Report No. 2008.128 (Environment). The CEAP is part of the City’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and functions as the community’s first integrated community sustainability plan (ICSP). The first EarthWiseŽ Annual Report was presented in 2010, Report No. 2010.002 (Environment).
Municipalities and Climate Change
Municipal governments currently have direct or indirect control over up to half of Canada’s GHG emissions. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has shown that municipalities can contribute significantly to Canada’s national emission reductions. To that end, the FCM Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) Program is a national network that promotes participation of municipalities in reducing GHG emissions in their own operations and their community boundaries. Thunder Bay joined the PCP program in 1997. The PCP program has five milestones to be achieved. In 2009, Thunder Bay was awarded our second and third milestones for both the community and the Corporation. We are in the process of applying for our fourth and fifth milestones: implementation of the CEAP, and monitoring and reporting the results.
In their 2012 document Creating a Change in Climate Through Local Action, the FCM states: “Integrated action on climate change is crucial. An effective response will aim to reduce the rate and magnitude of climate change, while we cope with the damages from climate change that we cannot avoid. The direct benefits that come from action include energy cost savings, avoided infrastructure impacts, and local job creation.” As you review the 2011 EarthWiseŽ Annual Report, you will note many ways that Thunder Bay is taking action.