Montreal’s ambitious Climate Plan 2020-2030 consists of 46 actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent between now and 2030, as well as carbon neutrality for city operations by 2040 and for the city itself by 2050.
One area of focus is urban planning and development. For example, the city intends to convert some parking lots into open, green spaces, pursue densification projects and plant 500,000 trees in areas susceptible to heat waves. It will also encourage sustainable mobility in neighbourhoods and future urban developments.
Another key feature of the new climate plan is what the city calls a ‘climate test’, which will be imposed on all the city’s decisions, including investments, in an effort to limit greenhouse gas emissions and maximize adaptation to climate change. The city will also allocate 10 to 15 percent of its ten-year capital expenditure program to climate change adaptation.
“Before the health crisis hit, the climate crisis was at the heart of our concerns,” Montreal mayor Valérie Plante said in a press release. “The COVID-19 pandemic turned everything upside down. But the year 2020 also highlighted the importance of having a resilient city on a human scale. A city that offers quality green spaces to its population.”
According to a recent report by C40 Cities, Montreal is one of 54 cities worldwide on track to help keep global warming to 1.5C.
