While committed to improving energy efficiency, Guelph-Eramosa councillors have decided against producing carbon footprint reports every three months.
Earlier this year the environmental stewardship committee suggested quarterly reports be prepared by township staff.
But council was not convinced the reports were necessary, citing concerns with the staff time and resources required, as well as with the usefulness of such reports given the large number of variables from year to year.
“You’re just playing with numbers,” Mayor Chris White said of tabulating a quarterly carbon footprint.
Clerk Meaghen Reid said in a report to council that, given the large number of variables in township facilities and services, “carbon footprint may not be the accurate or effective measure which would allow for the township to evaluate its energy efficiency over time or with [other municipalities].”
She also noted that after researching 15 comparable municipalities, “few, if any” calculate their carbon footprint or report that information on a regular basis.
White noted Local Authority Services Ltd. (LAS), a subsidiary of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, annually completes energy audits, and a carbon footprint, if needed, could likely be calculated from the LAS report, which Reid said is expected within the next few months.
White added council will continue to move forward the business of the municipality while also protecting the environment as much as possible.
“I think we can do both,” he said.
Councillor Doug Breen agreed with White, saying if the township becomes more energy efficient, the carbon footprint will take care of itself.
Council unanimously passed a resolution directing staff to prepare an annual assessment of the township’s energy efficiency.
