In March Châteauguay’s city council committed to the Unis Pour le Climat movement. Initiated by the Union des Municipalités du Québec (UMQ), the program seeks to invite elected officials to consider climate issues as part of their decision-making processes.
Translation Amanda Bennett
“Adhering to the statement of commitment means taking action and uniting for the climate,” explains the UMQ website. “It is also about committing with conviction to face the climate challenges and thereby enhancing our citizens’ health and well-being.”
Concertation Climat Châteauguay, which is comprised of SOS Forêt Fernand-Seguin, Héritage Saint-Bernard and À Châteauguay, quelle ville voulons-nous?, is thrilled by the city’s commitment.
“It is a commitment that inspires respect and represents a step in the right direction. Given that the Groupe d’Experts Intergouvernemental sur l’Évolution du Climat (GIEC) reminds us of the urgent need to take action in order to avoid the worst consequences for the climate, our elected officials will require citizens’ cooperation,” commented Claude Boileau from Concertation Climat Châteauguay.
The UMQ proposes ten axes for municipalities to take action in order to limit the consequences of climate change within their territory. The options of transport mobility, adaptation of municipal infrastructures, sustainable economic development, budget preparedness for adapting to crises, waste management, protecting natural habitats, health and public security, land development and renewable energy, are all sectors in which municipalities wield influence when it comes to the environment.
