As Hamilton neared the end of a third day of a heat wave, with temperatures feeling like 40 C Monday, city council’s general issues committee approved new initiatives aimed at tackling climate change, including the creation of a new climate-change office to oversee the city’s efforts.
The initiatives fall under two separate plans, one for climate mitigation and another for adaptation, and include a more detailed roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and a new advisory committee to help guide future decisions, starting with the next term of council.
Council must still ratify the decision before it becomes final.
The shift to net zero – which would require numerous big changes, including a move away from fossil fuels, increased building efficiency and planting more trees – is estimated to cost $11.4 billion, and come from a mix of public and private money.
However, those…