Local residents and activists celebrate Burnaby’s targets to curb emissions

September 9th (Burnaby, BC) - Today, local residents and Force of Nature activists celebrated as Burnaby City Council became the eighth municipality in the Lower Mainland to commit to a carbon-free future.

“Tonight, I am so proud to be a Burnaby resident,’ declared Stephen Dreaver, local resident and Force of Nature volunteer. ‘Our cities across the Lower Mainland are showing the provincial and federal governments what real climate action looks like.”

The adoption of strong emission reduction targets in Burnaby, which commit Burnaby to reduce emissions by 45% by 2030, 75% by 2040 and 100% by 2050 continues the momentum of climate action that saw seven municipalities, including neighbours Vancouver, Richmond, New Westminster and Port Moody, and the Metro Vancouver Board adopt the IPCC emission reduction targets before the end of the summer break. Force of Nature volunteers, youth striker Sustainabiliteens and other local environmentalists have been calling for Burnaby and other remaining cities to join a region-wide “race to net zero” since early this year. 

In addition to mitigating climate change, adopting the IPCC targets will generate improvements in the quality of life of Burnaby residents. To meet the emission reduction targets, Burnaby will have to prioritize initiatives such as clean, more frequent public transportation, better walking and cycling networks, and more energy-efficient homes. 

“I’m so excited that Burnaby has stepped up and adopted stronger emission targets,’ stated Jake, Force of Nature’s Burnaby organizer. ‘But I am even more excited to see how our city decides to reach those targets.”

Burnaby City Council has placed tackling the climate crisis at the top of their agenda by adopting stronger emission reduction targets and committing to a carbon-free future. And with eight municipalities across Metro Vancouver committed to a zero-carbon future, Force of Nature, alongside local residents, will be organizing to get the rest of the Lower Mainland, including Surrey, Coquitlam, and Port Coquitlam, to follow Burnaby’s lead.