Concerns about the City of Kelowna not hitting its 2030 climate action targets prompted a call for a mayoral task force on the issue at councilsa国际传媒檚 Monday (Sept.23) meeting.
Council adopted the Climate Resiliency Kelowna Strategy (CRKS) which includes dozens of recommendations to reduce greenhouse gases. But during a staff presentation, Councillor Gord Lovegrove had several questions about details in the plan.
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Council declared a climate crisis during its Oct. 16, 2023, after a motion was brought forward by Lovegrove and Coun. Mohini Singh. At that meeting, several protesters shouted sa国际传媒榶ousa国际传媒檙e all firedsa国际传媒�, sa国际传媒榮hame on yousa国际传媒�, and sa国际传媒榙isgusting' at council.' They also held up signs that read sa国际传媒楽top the Climate Crisis Declarationsa国际传媒� and sa国际传媒榃e Need A Public Hearing On This.sa国际传媒�
At that time, council directed staff to use community emissions reduction targets 40 per cent below 2007 levels by 2030, and to achieve net zero by 2050, in the development of the CRKS.
On Monday, Lovegrove said he liked the plan but could not support it, reiterating his concern that some climate targets could not be achieved in the next six years.
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Lovegrove also asked Mayor Tom Dyas to initiate discussions with Kelownasa国际传媒檚 regional partners and jurisdictions across the province and the country.
Dyas did not say no to a task force but noted that council established its priorities around climate action several months ago.
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The CRKS highlights 10 key drivers to cut emissions including reducing reliance on vehicles, transitioning to low-carbon vehicles, and supporting a low-carbon and resilient energy supply.
It calls for a 33 per cent reduction in transportation emissions by 2030 to address air quality and a 32 per cent reduction in building emissions to combat extreme heat and cold, and the potential for flooding and wildfires,
Lovegrove was the only councillor opposed to adopting the CRKS.
