San Diego, California — The Sustainability Solutions Group (SSG) has received two awards from the American Planning Association Sustainable Communities Divisions “Excellence in Sustainability Awards.” The two awards were given to Toronto and the city of Edmonton.
The city of Toronto won the “Environment, Climate, and Energy Award” for the TransformTO Net-Zero Strategy, which sets a target of net-zero community emissions by 2040. The strategy attained a near-perfect score from jurors.
The award honours a plan or project that addresses current and future needs related to climate change mitigation or adaptation, energy or water efficiency, renewable or alternative energy, green jobs, air quality, green infrastructure, or other efforts related to the environment, climate, and energy planning.
“This is North America’s first municipal carbon budget, meaning that in addition to measuring the dollars and cents of the budget now, Edmonton will also measure the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that a project adds or takes away from the environment,” said Howaida Hassan, general supervisor of the Urban Growth Unit with Urban Planning and Economy Branch.
Edmonton received the “Policy, Law, or Tool Award” for Edmonton’s Carbon Budget. The carbon budget is the first in North America and was created as a tool to integrate greenhouse gas emissions into the city budgeting and prioritization process. The carbon budget also ensures accountability for municipal decisions by setting a cap on how much a community can emit annually and for all time. In Edmonton, the carbon budgeting process is being integrated into the financial budgeting process for the 2023-2026 budget cycle.
Presented by the American Planning Association, the “Excellence in Sustainability Awards” honours projects, plans, policies, individuals and organizations whose work is dedicated to supporting and growing sustainable communities. The awards were presented on May 2 in San Diego, California.