Hamilton continues to lead carbon emissions per person in GTA despite slowing pandemic

Hamilton’s greenhouse gas emissions continued to be the highest per person in and around the greater Toronto area last year, even as industrial and vehicular pollution declined during the pandemic.

The latest carbon tracking study from the Atmospheric Background found that emissions in GTA and Hamilton fell 13 percent in 2020 as a direct result of a “historic reduction” in vehicle use and industrial production due to COVID-19.

But putting that anomaly aside, regional greenhouse gas emissions actually increased by two percent between 2015 and 2019, even as climate scientists urged drastic carbon-cutting actions to avoid the catastrophe of climate change.

“The response to the pandemic shows that we can come together and stimulate catalytic action across society, but pandemics are not a climate action strategy,” reads the latest report released Monday. “A massive acceleration in climate action and investment is needed to achieve a net zero future.”

The report highlights a game-changing climate “innovation” for the ArcelorMittal Dofasco steelmaker in Hamilton.

The industry accounts for more than half of the 9.4 megatons of Hamilton emissions tracked in 2020 by the climate agency, which is why the city leads in emissions per person across the entire GTA each year.

Industrial emissions also account for nearly 20 percent of all GTA greenhouse pollution.

ArcelorMittal Dofasco is Hamilton’s largest industrial issuer, but the federal government recently pledged $ 400 million for a company plan to put an end to the coal-fired steel industry by 2028. This is expected to reduce the city’s total carbon emissions by one third.

The report also warns that transportation emissions were already increasing “alarmingly” before the pandemic, and now COVID has dramatically reduced transportation use around the world.

The agency said the dilemma reinforces the need both to encourage greater use of public transportation and to electrify options. Hamilton is supposed to see the start of construction of the first light rail transit (LRT) line in the next year or two, but the project has been repeatedly delayed or derailed.

Here’s a look at the carbon emissions in Hamilton (compared to the region) for 2020:

  • Total emissions: 9.4 megatons (47.8 regional total)
  • Emissions per capita: 16.2 tons (6.2 average)
  • Industrial emissions: 53% of the total (19% throughout the region)
  • Transportation: 16% of the total (32% throughout the region)

Reference-www.thestar.com

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