Toronto can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 per cent

Toronto - and other cities around the world - can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by implementing aggressive but practical policy changes, says a new study by University of Toronto Civil Engineering Professor Chris Kennedy and World Bank climate change specialist Lorraine Sugar, one of Kennedy's former students. Kennedy and Sugar make the claim in, " A low carbon infrastructure plan for Toronto, Canada ," published in the latest issue of The Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering . The paper aims to show how cities can make a positive difference using realistic, achievable steps. Their research shows it is technically possible for cities, in Canada and beyond, to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 70 per cent or more in the long-term. "This is the sort of reduction the international community is calling for, so we can avoid the potentially serious consequences of climate change," said Kennedy. The study focuses on buildings, energy supply and transportation. Best practices as well as options and opportunities - for example, encouraging electric cars and increasing bicycling infrastructure - are detailed.