The City of Dieppe set emission reduction targets of 50% by 2031.
What are GHGs?
GHGs are gases that allow the sun’s rays to reach the Earth and keep the heat in the atmosphere, like a greenhouse. GHGs are normal and even essential to life on Earth. Without them, the average temperature on our planet would be -18°C! The problem is that current levels are abnormally high, and this is contributing to global warming. Our primary goal is therefore to prevent or offset them.
Corporate inventory
Like all municipalities, Dieppe produces GHGs, mainly from municipal buildings (e.g., arenas, City Hall), municipal vehicles, street lighting, wastewater, drinking water and municipal waste. For example, the UNIplex led to an increase of 1,136 tonnes of CO2 emissions when it opened in 2021.
The City of Dieppe has been following the Partners for Climate Protection 5-step program since 2016. The program provides inventory-taking tools and support in reducing GHG emissions, with over 500 Canadian municipalities taking part.
The good news is that GHG emissions are down in Dieppe compared to 2013, despite significant population growth (+21%). However, the decline may be partly attributable to COVID-19, so we need to stay vigilant and committed in the fight against climate change. Emissions could increase over the next few years as a result of population growth and increased economic activity.
| Corporate Emissions Inventory | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GHG (equivalent tons of CO2) | 2013 | 2018 | 2021 | % Reduction 2021-2013 |
| Buildings | 3,354 | 2,779 | 3,799 | 13.3% |
| Vehicle fleet | 794 | 865 | 575 | -28% |
| Street lighting | 495 | 324 | 284 | -43% |
| Water and wastewater | 461 | 276 | 281 | -39% |
| Municipal waste | 312 | 32 | 44 | -86% |
| Total | 5,415 | 4,275 | 4,983 | -8% |
| Population | 23,310 | 25,384 | 28,114 | 21% |
| GHG per capita (etCO2) | 0.232 | 0.168 | 0.177 | -24% |
| Community Emissions Inventory | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GHG (equivalent tons of CO2) | 2012 | 2018 | 2021 | % Reduction 2021-2013 |
| Residential |
104,884 |
83,851 | 74,401 | -29% |
| Commercial | 71,364 | 59,159 | 48,669 | -32% |
| Industrial | 7,418 | 6,359 | 5,715 | -23% |
| Transportation | 105,397 | 102,826 | 94,931 | -10% |
| Solid waste | 11,678 | 2,111 | 4,745 | -59% |
| Total | 300,741 | 254,305 | 228,462 | -24% |
| Population | 23,310 | 25,384 | 28,114 | 21% |
| GHG per capita (etCO2) | 12.90 | 10.02 | 8.13 | -37% |
Reduction targets
The municipality has set a target of cutting GHG emissions in half by 2031. The 50% target is significant, given that municipalities are responsible for nearly half of Canada’s GHG emissions. Municipalities can influence the quantity of emissions they generate by the development they allow and the way they offer services. For example, neighbourhoods with higher housing density, a mix of commercial spaces and access to public transit produce fewer per-capita emissions than residential areas, where car dependency is a major contributor to GHG emissions.
GHG myths
Beware of misinformation!
“Fighting climate change hurts the economy.”
It’s true that there is a cost associated with reducing GHGs. However, doing nothing would be extremely costly. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, if nothing is done, the climate change crisis will bring about economic crises, a slowdown in the global economy and a world-wide increase in poverty.
“The Earth’s climate has changed before.”
The planet has always experienced climate change, which is normal. What is abnormal and problematic this time is that the planet is warming up at too high a rate, known as global warming.
“We’re not the biggest polluters.”
Canada is the third largest per capita emitter of GHGs. If every person on the planet consumed as much as the average Canadian does, it would take the resources of three to four Earth-like planets to meet our needs.
How can reduce your GHG emissions?
Here are three concrete ways:
Climate Change
Climate change is an important issue that poses potential risks for our environment. The City of Dieppe has created the Climate Change Adaptation Plan, which outlines some of those risks, including flooding, hurricanes, forest fires and heat waves. The report identifies an overflowing Petitcodiac River as the biggest potential threat to our city.
The Climate Change Adaptation Plan was adopted by Council in 2014, and ongoing studies have identified areas of potential flood risk:
Potential flood zone - sector 1
Potential flood zone - sector 2
Potential flood zone - sector 3
Potential flood zone - sector 4
Potential flood zone - sector 5
The Approach for Flood Protection in Response to Climate Change report contains recommendations to mitigate the risks. Here is the executive summary.
Info: climat@dieppe.ca