The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is looking at ways it can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
On Monday, council voted in favour of applying for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Pathway Feasibility Study Grant.
On July 15, 2019, council declared a climate emergency in Chatham-Kent. A few months later, council approved the Terms of Reference for the Chatham-Kent Climate Change Action Plan, which helps to identify ways the municipality and community can mitigate and adapt to climate change.
According to the report to council, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent owns 148 buildings, of which 38 are community buildings. In 2019, the combined emissions of community buildings were 4,179 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and the associated energy costs were $2.9 million.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities provides funding through the Green Municipal Fund for community building retrofits and recommissioning initiatives. As part of this group of programs, funding is available to conduct feasibility studies on community buildings for greenhouse gas emissions reduction pathways over 20 years.
"The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Pathway Feasibility Study focuses on integrating energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies into long-term management plans for recreational, cultural, and community buildings," the report read. "The study will inform short and long-term maintenance and capital projects while mapping a course for each facility to achieve 50 per cent of greenhouse gas reductions in 10 years and 80 per cent of greenhouse gas reductions in 20 years. "
With council's approval, the study will focus on Blenheim Memorial Arena, the Chatham Library, Gable Rees Rotary Pool, J.G. Taylor WISH Centre, and the Thames Campus Arena.
"Together, these buildings produced 752 of CO2 equivalent tonnes and incurred $606,000 in energy costs in 2019," read the report. "In addition to the above buildings, the Tilbury Arena will be included in the study as a contingency, if the budget allows. The selection of these buildings provides information on a cross-section of community building types and maximizes the available funding."
Council also gave the OK to any unfunded portions of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Pathway Feasibility Study, estimated at around $50,000, to be funded through the Green Energy Initiatives Reserve.
"The results of the study will be beneficial to multiple departments within the Municipality of Chatham-Kent," the report read. "Additional benefits of this project include extending facility life, reducing energy costs, promoting a healthy community, and ensuring environmental sustainability."