Greater Sudbury not cutting emissions fast enough to reach target

Currently, two of the 16 Zambonis in municipal arenas in Sudbury are electric. (File)

Population growth and a large number of buildings in need of energy-efficient retrofits are two of the biggest reasons Greater Sudbury is behind in its climate change targets.

Those are the conclusions of a report headed to city council March 10, updating local politicians on the progress toward becoming a net-zero community when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“The city’s Climate Action Plans serve as strategic guides for both municipal operations and the broader community, helping to enhance efficiency, build resilience and reduce costs,” the report said.

“At the heart of these plans is the principle of sustainability, ensuring that today’s resources are managed responsibly to preserve opportunities for future generations.”

The report details results from 2024 and includes progress in some areas. For example, solar-powered transit shelters have been installed, the urban forest master plan has been completed and the Sparks Street affordable housing project is more energy efficient than expected.

However, several challenges mean that greenhouse gas (GHG) “emissions are not declining at a rate sufficient to meet emission targets.

Growing population

Those challenges include an increased population, which has resulted in more energy use. Existing buildings also require more upgrades and deeper retrofits to show savings in costs and emissions.

“Funding constraints continue to pose challenges for the implementation of several projects,” the report said.

“This trend is common in municipalities throughout Canada and does not imply that the city is failing to take action, but it does underscore the challenges posed by competing municipal priorities and a growing population.”

The two biggest sources of GHG gas emissions are natural gas used in buildings and vehicle emissions.

Landfill emissions

“To initiate a meaningful downward trend in emissions, the city must secure external funding to support energy efficiency retrofits for existing buildings, commit to high-performance standards for new construction, and continue transitioning to low-carbon transportation,” the report said.

Emissions from city landfills “are higher than buildings and liquid fuel combined,” the report said. Increasing waste diversion away from city dumps is “critical” to make progress on emissions.

Usage of electric vehicles has increased, with 1,568 EVs registered in 2024, compared with 1,088 in 2023.

To boost efforts to reduce emissions, the report recommends awareness campaigns so builders know and residents are aware of the rebates available to help pay for retrofits that reduce GHGs.

Programs to increase ridership on city transit are also recommended, along with promoting city rebate programs such as the cloth diaper rebate and the residential inflow and infiltration subsidy program.

Read the full report here.