KEAF Progress Reports To Council
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Read KEAF's Fourth Progress Report to City Council.
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Read KEAF's Third Progress Report to City Council.
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KEAF's Second Progress Report to City Council.
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208KB]
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The following is the Executive Summary of KEAF's Third Progress Report to Council: "Towards A Sustainable Future." The full report can be obtained as a PDF document using the 'Downloads' link at right.
The purpose of this report is to record for Council the work carried out by the Kingston Environmental Advisory Forum (KEAF) and its working groups since its last summary report to Council in May, 2002. The report is the last of three summary reports and documents KEAF's activities to the end of its term in December, 2003.
Between 2002 and 2003, KEAF reorganized its activities under three working groups, namely: Inner Harbour Group (IHG); the Forum Learning, Awareness and Publicity (FLAP) Group and the Other High Priority Issues and Environmental Strategy (OHPIES) Group
Following a recommendation by KEAF, Council agreed that KEAF adopt a harmonized approach to the Inner Harbour research that involved all levels of government - the goal being to assist the City in the development of a comprehensive plan for the Inner Harbour.
Under the supervision of the IHG, a detailed study of the Inner Harbour was conducted by a consultant. The 2003 report of this work entitled: Kingston Inner Harbour Data Compilation and Gap Analysis for the Great Cataraqui River was presented to the City Council in June, 2003.
To give the public an opportunity to make their own choices regarding environmental issues and to raise the KEAF profile within the community, FLAP produced a series of Fact Boxes consisting of 100-250 word articles for weekly publication in the Kingston This Week newspaper. The Group also arranged a series of guest speakers to speak to KEAF on a wide range of environmental topics such as air quality, traffic management and the West Nile virus. Site visits were made to locations such as Belle Park and the Ravensview Sewage Treatment Plant.
The OHPIES Group worked with City staff in collaboration with the Hearthmakers Energy Cooperative on the Green Home Visits initiative, (an initiative within the framework of the Federal Partners in Climate Protection Program). This initiative also included energy audits, by Gaia Power Inc., on 44 City buildings as the first stage in the establishment of City-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets as well as a situational review on average residential energy and water consumption use in the City.
The OHPIES Group submitted several ideas on the Cycling and Pathways Study, the Urban Growth Strategy and the Kingston Transportation Master Plan. For the Urban Growth Strategy, KEAF strongly supported Growth Alternative #1 of the report - the adoption of an alternative that will contribute to the biggest reduction in greenhouse gas generation
At Council's request, KEAF contributed to the section entitled: Project Plan: Environment of The Community Strategic Plan 2000-2010 in FOCUS KINGSTON - The Future of Our Community
Following a recommendation by KEAF, Council asked City staff to prepare an annual environmental activities report to provide information to the public on progress towards environmental goals. KEAF was requested by the City to assist in the development of a format for the report.
KEAF continued to respond to the City's requests for input on several major studies being undertaken by the City (the Urban Growth Strategy, the Transportation Master Plan, the Cycling and Pathways Study and class environmental assessments for highway construction north of the 401).
KEAF supported the City becoming a 'Partner' in the Climate Change Protection Program. The City is now in the implementation phase of the program and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets are now being evaluated by City staff.
Two motions, and one recommendation in support of a Council motion, were submitted by KEAF to Council. In these motions, KEAF supported initiatives on the use of bio-diesel, renewable energy and the Kyoto Accord. All three motions were passed by Council.
