UPDATE: We're pleased to share that the draft Climate Emergency Action Plan was unanimously approved by London's City Council on April 12, 2022. The approved document is now referred to as the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP). Visit the City of London's website here for background, updates, and ways you can implement the CEAP.

Looking for more? Browse our existing programs here and upcoming environmental events here to help us make London a green and resilient city. Thanks to everyone who shared their support and feedback to move climate action forward in London!

 

City of London, City Council

300 Dufferin Ave,  London, Ontario

RE: London Environmental Network Support for the draft CEAP

The London Environmental Network has reviewed this plan and supports the approval of the draft CEAP plan to be our pathway forward for the community to achieve net-zero by 2050 or earlier.

We consulted with our 47 environmental group members and have amalgamated their feedback into the following points:

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • LEN Members generally agree to support the implementation of CEAP’s from the community to ensure immediate and significant climate action.

POSITIVE FEEDBACK

  • All members appreciated the use of the climate lens screening tool to review recent infrastructure projects (ex. Wonderland Road widening), and would like to see this consistently and continually applied in other departments and developments.
  • Members supported the City’s coordination effort to ensure that many implementation plans are progressing in tandem, so that we can address many interconnected local issues at the same time.
  • Many members identified areas where their group’s work aligns with and can directly impact the 10 areas of focus (and their respective work plans).

LEN’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

We encourage Council to approve the draft CEAP as soon as possible and start taking action, and at the same time direct City Staff on the following next steps:

  • Accountability - We suggest that the CEAP implementation is tied to 4 year Council terms or the budget cycle to ensure that key stakeholders are held accountable for delivering on targets.
  • Specific & Immediate Priorities in 2022-2024 - The CEAP contains a lot of information across many sectors. Across all the work plans, it is not clearly stated in one document what the immediate steps are that will help us reach the first emissions target (55% emissions reduction by 2030). We need to see an emphasis on the immediate, short-term priorities and how these projects will be implemented in the next 2-3 years to meet emissions targets.
  • Budget for Immediate Projects - We understand staff wanting to tie the funding requests for the CEAP to the multi-year budget process, which will start internally at the City in Spring 2023. Until then, at minimum, we would like to see a budget for immediate short-term projects tied to the CEAP,  including funds for new staff allocation and emissions reduction projects.

We believe in our community. We believe it is possible to change how we live, work, commute and play, because it has happened before (most recently being during COVID). These changes are something to be excited about, making our communities more livable and walkable, connecting with our neighbours more and moving our bodies more freely. We believe Londoners can be excited about these changes if communicated effectively and supported through the transition to a low-carbon city. That’s what this plan is about. 

An emergency implies immediate action to be taken to avert a crisis, and the most recent IPCC report reiterates that we need immediate and significant action. We are very eager to see Council move forward quickly on this climate plan given the time sensitive nature of addressing climate change and mitigating its impact on our community and future generations. 

Thank you for your time and commitment to investing in climate action in London. If you would like to follow up on these recommendations, please connect with me at 226-700-6945 or email [email protected] 

Sincerely,


Skylar Franke, Executive Director, 

London Environmental Network

Skylar Franke

About

Executive Director at London Environmental Network