Plante tells United Nations that Montreal will reduce emissions by 55% by 2030

Montreal Mayor Valrie Plante said that cities are on the front lines in the fight against climate change in her address tothe United Nations today.

Plantespoke on behalf of cities at the UN Climate Action Summit as part ofa panel called Plans for a Carbon Neutral World.

"By 2050, two-thirds of the global population will live in urban centres," Plante told the United Nations.

She said that many cities, including Montreal, are on their way to meeting their 2030 target of reducing carbon emissions by 45 per centand being carbon neutral by 2050.

"Some cities, such as Montreal, are going further," said Plante, who said Montreal's goal is to reduce emissions by 55 per cent over the next 10 years.

Watch Plante speak at the summit here:

Valrie Plante addresses UN on how cities can fight climate change

5 years ago

Duration 4:15

Montreal Mayor Valrie Plante told the United Nations that cities are on the front lines in the fight against climate change.

She said cities are working toreduce citizens'reliance on driving solo in personal vehicles, boostthe use of public transport and encourage the construction ofcarbon-neutral buildings.

Plantealso brought up her administration'sdecision to block a residential development in Montreal's West Island, where the city plans to create its Great Western Park.

Sheaddressed the leaders of Germany, New Zealand and India as well as the secretary general of the United Nations.

Plante's visit to the UNcomes as Montrealers prepare to come out in force in a march calling for concrete action on global warming on Friday.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunbergwill be in Montreal to take part.

'Necessary political leadership'

Climate researcher Caroline Brouillette, who works for quiterre, saidher organization is happy to learn ofPlante's emissions reduction goal, although it isambitious.

"It's feasible,and it's also necessary in the context of the climate emergency," saidBrouillette.

Plante'splan targets two major policy areas: transport and buildings. In terms of transport, Brouillette says it's necessary to reduce Montrealers' dependence on driving solo in vehiclesand increase active transport.

"For example, increasing the number of bike lanes, which bythe same token reduces the number of parking spots," Brouillette said.

Without knowing concretely whichpolicies will be put in place, Rouilette said,it's difficult to know whether they will be ambitious enough to reach Plante's target emissions reductions.Still, she said,Plante's announcement is a positive step.

"What the mayor is doing is showing the necessary political leadership that will drive change forward," she said.