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8. ALLIANCE FOR
RESILIENT CITIES RÉSEAU ALLIANCE FOR RESILIENT CITIES |
That Council approve that the City of
Ottawa become a member of the Alliance for Resilient Cities network for 2008-9,
and pay a membership fee of $3000 to support the work of the Alliance.
Recommandation du Comité
Que le Conseil
approuve que la Ville d’Ottawa
devienne membre du réseau Alliance for Resilient Cities pour 2008-2009 et paie
des droits d’adhésion de 3 000 $ en vue d’appuyer les efforts de l’Alliance.
Documentation
1. Committee Coordinator’s report dated 11 June 2008
(ACS2008-CCS-PEC-0013).
Report to / Rapport au:
Council/et au Conseil
11 June 2008 / le 11 juin 2008
Coordonnatrice de comité
|
Capital (17) |
Ref N°:
ACS2008-CCS-PEC-0013 |
SUBJECT: ALLIANCE
FOR RESILIENT CITIES
OBJET: RÉSEAU
ALLIANCE FOR RESILIENT CITIES
That the
Planning and Environment Committee recommend to Council that the City of Ottawa
become a member of the Alliance for Resilient Cities network for 2008-9, and
pay a membership fee of $3000 to support the work of the Alliance.
Que le Comité de l’urbanisme et de l’environnement
recommande au Conseil que la Ville d’Ottawa devienne membre du réseau Alliance
for Resilient Cities pour 2008-2009 et paie des droits d’adhésion de
3 000 $ en vue d’appuyer les efforts de l’Alliance.
There is consensus among the world’s leading scientists that climate change from carbon dioxide and other emissions due to human activities is among the most serious problems facing the world today. The City of Ottawa has acknowledged the seriousness of climate change and established targets and measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Air Quality and Climate Change Plan of 2005.
On 10 June 2008, the Planning and Environment
Committee suspended the rules to consider a Motion brought forward by
Councillor Doucet. The complete Motion
is contained at Document 1.
DISCUSSION
The Alliance for Resilient Cities has been formed by the Clean Air Partnership to:
· investigate the impacts of climate change on urban economies, infrastructure, and citizens
· keep urban decision-makers informed about emerging information on climate change
· link local government officials with leading researchers in the field of climate change adaptation
· facilitate information sharing among cities investigating and acting to reduce climate impacts on municipal infrastructure
· showcase best practices in the development of climate change adaptation and resiliency strategies
The Alliance is conducting regular webinars to facilitate these goals. It will host workshops and encourage collaborative initiatives among participating cities and adaptation experts. To support the work of the Alliance, it is recommended that Ottawa become a member for 2008-09.
CONSULTATION
Planning, Transit and the Environment
Staff from PTE have participated in Alliance webinars and found them to be very helpful. Previously participation was free, but beginning in 2009, sessions will only be open to members. Membership will permit all City staff to participate in the training and information-sharing provided by the Alliance. In particular, staff coordinating the Choosing our Future: An Integrated Approach to Building a Sustainable and Resilient National Capital Region project undertaking the creation of three integrated long-term plans relating to sustainability; risk mitigation and prevention; and community energy (focused on climate change prevention) may benefit from these resources.
FINANCIAL
IMPLICATIONS
Funds in the amount of $3000 are available
within the 2008 operating budget of the Economic & Environmental
Sustainability Branch account 112737.
SUPPORTING
DOCUMENTATION
Document 1 – Extract
of Draft Minutes, 10 June 2008
Staff will take the appropriate action following the recommendation of Council.
DOCUMENT 1
ALLIANCE FOR RESILIENT CITIES NETWORK
RÉSEAU
ALLIANCE FOR RESILIENT CITIES
ACS2008-CCS-PEC-0013 City Wide/à l'échelle de la Ville
Moved by C. Doucet
That the
Planning and Environment Committee approve the addition of the following
item/agenda for consideration by the Committee at today’s meeting, pursuant to
Section 84(3) of the Procedure By-law (being By-law no. 2006-462).
CARRIED, G. Hunter dissenting
Moved by C. Doucet
Whereas there is
consensus among the world’s leading scientists that climate change from carbon
dioxide and other emissions due to human activities is among the most serious
problems facing the world today; and
Whereas the City of Ottawa has acknowledged the
seriousness of climate change and established targets and measures for reducing
greenhouse gas emissions in the Air Quality and Climate Change Plan of 2005;
and
Whereas climate change
is already evident in Canada in the form of warmer average temperatures, more
heat waves, more rain in winter, increases in high intensity rainfall and
storms, increased forest fires, expanded range of insect pests, rising sea
level and other effects; and
Whereas these climate
changes will impact on Canada’s cities and on the City of Ottawa, and will
require cities to develop strategies and programs to reduce their vulnerability
to negative impacts; and
Whereas the City of
Ottawa has taken steps to build the capacity to adapt to certain climate change
risks, such as the increase in freezing rain; and
Whereas a number of
other cities in Canada are investigating the likely impacts of climate change
on their operations and services; identifying and testing strategies to reduce
these impacts; and implementing measures to protect their operations, services
and citizens; and
Whereas the Alliance
for Resilient Cities has been formed by the Clean Air Partnership to
investigate the impacts of climate change on urban economies, infrastructure,
and citizens; to keep urban decision-makers informed about emerging information
on climate change; to link local government officials with leading researchers
in the field of climate change adaptation; to facilitate information sharing
among cities investigating and acting to reduce climate impacts on municipal
infrastructure; and to showcase best practices in the development of climate
change adaptation and resiliency strategies; and
Whereas the Alliance
for Resilient Cities is conducting regular webinars to facilitate these goals,
will host workshops, and encourage collaborative initiatives among
participating cities and adaptation experts;
Therefore be it
resolved that the City of Ottawa become a member of the Alliance for Resilient
Cities network for 2008-9, and pay a membership fee of $3000 to support the
work of the Alliance.
CARRIED, with G. Hunter and S. Qadri dissenting