ABOUT 50% BY 2030
In 2019, in response to increasing awareness of the climate crisis, a group of concerned residents began working together as "50x30 Waterloo Region", to lobby our local Regional and Municipal councils to adopt emission reduction targets in line with the best available science. In 2021, a movement emerged from these efforts that persuaded the Region of Waterloo and all seven Municipalities to endorse the TransformWR Climate Action Strategy and set an interim GHG reduction target of 50% by 2030, in line with climate science and centering social justice - to build a greener, fairer, more livable Waterloo Region.
Our work is not done, however, as there is much to do to ensure we meet this target and implement bold climate action in the region. In addition to monitoring municipalities' progress and pushing for carbon budgeting commitments to meet the 50x30 target, in 2024 we joined forces with a broad group of local organizations through the Waterloo Region Climate Collaborative to support these efforts further. We invite supporters who wish to help strengthen climate action to join active local groups, such as those through the WRCC network.
Why 50% by 2030?
THE SCIENCE SAYS SO
According to the authoritative Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and many leading climate scientists, we need to urgently reduce global greenhouse gas emissions on a pathway that would include a roughly 50% reduction by 2030 and a 100% reduction by 2050 if we are to avert the worst consequences of climate change, and preserve a safe climate future habitable for human life and civilizations.
THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT
One of the stated goals of the Paris Climate Agreement is to limit average global temperature rise to no more than 2°C and aim to maintain it below 1.5°C, aligned with the best available science on what is required to avert the worst consequences of climate change. That means reducing global emissions roughly 50% by 2030. See for instance the Race to Zero page here, building from the Paris Agreement.
THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY DECLARATION
Part of the Climate Emergency Declarations adopted regionally is the idea that we must avoid the worst impacts of climate change and stay in line with the Paris Agreement commitments. That means reducing our emissions 50% by 2030. For more details on climate emergency declarations adopted by governments throughout the world - including regional municipalities and the Region of Waterloo - see this site tracking government declarations worldwide. Currently over 1 billion people worldwide live in jurisdictions that have declared a climate emergency.
OTHER CITIES ARE LEADING THE WAY
Waterloo Region prides itself on being a place of innovation, but we are lagging behind dozens of major cities worldwide in our own commitments to climate action and justice. Cities are responsible for roughly 70% of global emissions and hence need to be leads on driving solutions to reduce emissions, adapt to changes already underway, and to slow the climate crisis. Taking bold climate action means being part of a growing global clean economy that is creating jobs and driving innovation for a far healthier and safer livable future. You can see more on other cities' commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement and 50x30 at C40 Cities and through the Exponential Roadmap initiative.
