Supports Item No. 3
P&E Committee Agenda
May 2, 2002

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING - APRIL 23, 2002
MOTION B.1

1. Municipal Governments Urge Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol

(File: 1261/3501)

At the Council meeting of April 9, 2002, Councillor Price submitted the following Notice of Motion, which was recognized by the Chair.

MOVED by Councillor Price
SECONDED by Councillor Bass

WHEREAS climate change causes drought, permafrost melting, sea-level rise and floods that damage municipal infrastructure, displace citizens and create a financial burden for municipal governments;

WHEREAS economic activity in rural and northern communities relying on fisheries, tourism, forestry and agriculture is disrupted by climate change;

WHEREAS investments in building retrofits, community energy systems, water conservation, renewable energy technologies, waste reduction, landfill gas capture, fleet management and public transit reduce municipal operating costs, help maintain community services and protect public health while cutting greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change;

WHEREAS forestry and agriculture sectors can expand business opportunities by increasing the capacity of trees and soils to absorb carbon dioxide and by developing renewable fuels like ethanol;

WHEREAS fossil fuel producers are increasing investments in renewable energy and alternative fossil fuel technologies that reduce the amount of carbon dioxide going into the air; and

WHEREAS 72 per cent of Canadians want the Kyoto Protocol ratified;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver endorses ratification of the Kyoto Protocol; and

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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this resolution be communicated to our Member of Parliament, provincial environment and energy ministers, federal and provincial opposition leaders, community media and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Referred

Also before Council was a letter dated April 22, 2002 requesting to speak. Council agreed to refer consideration of the motion to a future Standing Committee meeting in order to hear from the speaker.

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver