The town of Goderich is working on a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the town.
Asset Management and Environmental Services Manager Jessica Feere explained they have a five milestone frame work with specific goals they have to reach with each milestone. And as part of the Partners for Climate Change Program they have ten years to meet all of their goals.
“The town has reached its milestone one which was creating a baseline greenhouse gas emission, so getting an inventory of our greenhouse gas emission for the corporation as well as the community. And I believe that was achieved in 2021,” said Feere.
Feere pointed out the next milestone was creating a greenhouse gas emission target for the corporation and the community. Feere added their data indicated that energy consumption for the towns buildings was creating the most greenhouse gas emissions.
“So the town did an energy audit of all of its facilities last summer and from that energy audit we were given measures that the town could take to potentially reduce our greenhouse gas emissions,” she explained.
So she said they'll be looking at those targets to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the corporate side. But she said on the community side they're dealing with residences and private businesses so they'll have to rely more on educating the public about what they can do to reduce their consumption and what programs from Hydro and other utilities might be available to help them. Feere added they're also looking at reducing greenhouse gas emissions with vehicles and reducing waste. Feere said Energy, Waste and Vehicles are the three pillars in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Feere said council has made the reduction of greenhouse gas a priority and the town also has an environment committee that is also working to move ahead with the climate adaptation and mitigation.