Nelson Sergerie
CARLETON-SUR-MER – The Town of Carleton-sur-Mer has set an ambitious objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030, based on the emissions inventory conducted in 2019.
“We have a clear action plan with actions to follow to achieve this target. It’s realistic and we’re already working on it with the electrification of transportation. We will give mandates to remove fossil fuel energy from buildings. It’s an ambitious plan, but it’s realistic,” says the mayor of Carleton-sur-Mer, Mathieu Lapointe.
Residual materials account for 63% of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly through the municipal campsite.
“We are working very hard on it. We are involved in the creation of the Intermunicipal Residual Materials Management Board. We are hopeful that we will come up with solutions to improve our balance sheet by adding composting,” suggests the mayor.
However, implementing composting infrastructure may take some time. “2024 seems unrealistic, but we are making all the necessary efforts to achieve it,” says the mayor.
It is a three-year action plan and halfway through a review will be made to assess the progress made.
The town wants to set an example and hopes that citizens will also participate.
“We also want to have a plan on the general scale of the municipality for all greenhouse gas emissions by all residents. This is the second phase that we are thinking about,” says Mr. Lapointe.
“We are much more ambitious in our objectives if we compare ourselves to the governments of Quebec and Canada. Few municipalities have clear targets. We are certainly in the lead in Quebec,” believes the mayor.
The process was conducted in collaboration with the Gaspésie Regional Environmental Council.
Greenhouse gas emissions emitted by the town were estimated at 426.94 carbon dioxide equivalents.
Apart from residual materials, 20% of emissions come from buildings and 16% from transportation.
Propane (42%), diesel (26%) and gasoline (10%) constitute the main energy sources of greenhouse gas emissions from municipal activity.