In the News
Leaders dream of green Toronto
By: Vivian Song - The Toronto SunSmog, trash are priorities
The Big Smoke announced lofty plans yesterday to ditch its historic nickname and become the greenest urban region in North America.
The Toronto City Summit Alliance, a coalition of civic leaders, unveiled its "Greening Greater Toronto" initiative in a room full of unlikely allies: Corporations, environmental groups and three levels of government, representing more than 100 partners.
"One of the most exciting things happening is a dialogue across boundaries that don't always get crossed," program co-chairman David Pecaut said.
"We truly have the potential to be the greatest city region in North America, perhaps in the world. We have that power."
The 40-page report singles out the region's business sector for spewing half of the region's 60 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, and producing "the lion's share," or 64%, of the region's waste. About 30% of the region's waste comes from disposed paper.
Over the next two years, the initiative will focus on four programs:
- A large-scale retrofit of Greater Toronto Area commercial buildings.
- An emissions reduction fund expected to generate $25-50 million by 2011.
- Public education and demonstration centres.
- A "green procurement initiative" acting as a one-stop shop for green products and services.
But the onus for change rests largely on voluntary measures. For example, the report hopes tenants of the largest commercial buildings will "use their influence" with building owners to carry out retrofits.
While the initiatives sound good on paper, voluntary measures have limited traction, said Franz Hartmann, executive director of the Toronto Environmental Alliance.
While "not perfect," he lauded the city for being proactive.
The Toronto City Summit Alliance, a coalition of civic leaders, unveiled its "Greening Greater Toronto" initiative in a room full of unlikely allies: Corporations, environmental groups and three levels of government, representing more than 100 partners.
"One of the most exciting things happening is a dialogue across boundaries that don't always get crossed," program co-chairman David Pecaut said.
"We truly have the potential to be the greatest city region in North America, perhaps in the world. We have that power."
The 40-page report singles out the region's business sector for spewing half of the region's 60 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, and producing "the lion's share," or 64%, of the region's waste. About 30% of the region's waste comes from disposed paper.
Over the next two years, the initiative will focus on four programs:
- A large-scale retrofit of Greater Toronto Area commercial buildings.
- An emissions reduction fund expected to generate $25-50 million by 2011.
- Public education and demonstration centres.
- A "green procurement initiative" acting as a one-stop shop for green products and services.
But the onus for change rests largely on voluntary measures. For example, the report hopes tenants of the largest commercial buildings will "use their influence" with building owners to carry out retrofits.
While the initiatives sound good on paper, voluntary measures have limited traction, said Franz Hartmann, executive director of the Toronto Environmental Alliance.
While "not perfect," he lauded the city for being proactive.