The Town of Parry Sound’s corporate greenhouse gas emissions decreased by nearly 10 per cent between 2016 and 2024.
That’s according to a Corporate Energy and Emissions report presented to council Sept. 1 by staff from the Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere.
“Located in the Biosphere, the environment is a top priority for the town,” said Mayor Jamie McGarvey. “Reducing GHG emissions is a critical step in fighting climate change and we all have a role to play in reducing our impact.”
In 2016, the baseline year, the Town began the implementation of a strategy to reduce GHG emissions. The Town has committed to reducing corporate emissions by 30 per cent from 2016 levels by 2030 and striving for net-zero corporate emissions by 2050.
Between 2016 and 2024, GHG emissions from water and wastewater operations decreased by 13.6 per cent, while streetlight emissions decreased by 26.3 per cent. Fleet fuel consumption also decreased by approximately 7,400 litres.
“The Town’s efforts to reduce corporate GHG emissions also have financial savings,” said David Bywater, director of lands and waters program at GBB. “Along with those emission reductions, the Town has also spent less on energy in 2024 compared to the baseline year of 2026. It’s a perfect example of how continuing those practices of energy efficiency, energy conservation, and fuel-switching can have both financial and environmental benefits.”
According to the report, Town staff will continue to identify best practices and new initiatives that can support further GHG emission reductions and help the Town achieve its 2030 corporate emissions reduction target.
