Ajax commits to Race to Zero climate change initiative

The Town of Ajax is lining up with other municipalities and organizations around the globe for the Race to Zero initiative.

Race to Zero is a global United Nations-led initiative to rally leadership and action from businesses, cities, regions and investors for a zero-carbon transition that “prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.”

With the somewhat ominous message that the next decade “will decide the future for humanity,” Ajax committed at Tuesday’s council meeting to:

• recognize the global climate emergency
• commit to keeping global heating below the 1.5°Celsius goal of the Paris Agreement
• commit to putting inclusive climate action at the center of all urban decision-making and to create thriving and equitable communities for everyone
• invite partners to recognize the global climate emergency and help deliver on science-based action to overcome it

The motion also declares that delivering a green and just recovery to the COVID-19 crisis; creating strong, fair economies that serve everyone; and cutting greenhouse gas emissions “is the only way to prevent a catastrophic crisis.”

The goal of the initiative is to build momentum ahead of the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow (October 31 – November 12) where governments must strengthen their contributions to the Paris Agreement on climate change.