June 7, 2007, 1010 CFRB

Green Announcements Highlight Smog Summit

Steve Roberts

Green energy and eco-friendly buildings were the focus of several new announcements at Toronto City Hall on Thursday. It comes as the 8th annual Smog Summit comes together for another year. Municipal leaders from every corner of the GTA, as well as Ontario's Energy and Environment Ministers were on hand for the morning session.

Each leader touted what his/her municipality has done in the last year to become more environmentally conscious, as well as put forward new initiatives for the coming year.

Eva Ligeti of the Clean Air Partnership says its more than just politicans talking the talk. "The announcements from municipal and provincial politicians are meant to lead the way, the rest has to be done by the individual." says Ligeti. She says that the city of Toronto itself, only generates about 6% of total greenhouse gas emissions, the rest is generated by people, through single vehicle trips and homes that arent energy efficient. Ligeti says concrete steps are being taken now, in the form of wind and solar energy projects throughout the province, but more needs to be done.

Ontario Environment Minister Laurel Broten announced that the province will require green building standards in all new government construction, as well as a green roof pilot project on some government buildings. Broten also says the province will be unveiling a tough new emissions plan in the coming weeks that will create "stringent standards" and "calculated steps" for greenhouse emissions. She believes the plan will be the toughest of all governments in North America.

At the end of Thursday's session, all the leaders signed the 2007 Toronto and Region Inter-Governmental Declaration on Clean Air. She says its a binding committment to work together on issues of climate change in the coming year.