Outaouais MRCs work together to create territorial climate plan
Sophie Demers
Propelled by the Conférence des préfets de l'Outaouais which gathered all the prefets from the region as well as the mayor of Gatineau, three MRCS have come together to address climate change on their territory. The MRCs of Collines-de-l’Outaouais, Papineau, and Pontiac created a working group to collaborate in the development of their respective climate plans. The efforts have been coordinated by the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
The goal of the collaboration is to create a common basis for action and a larger scope for action by joining forces to fight climate change.
The process is well underway, according to Marc Carrière, MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais préfet. An analysis of the current risks and environmental vulnerabilities and a study of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the area is underway. This information will guide the creation of a climate plan. In early December, a public webinar was held introducing key partners and the preliminary results of the studies.
“We’ve seen the effects of climate change in the region over the years with the flooding, and the storms. We have a responsibility to act for the future generation,” said Carrière.
In 2022, the main emitter of greenhouse gases in MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais was road transportation which made up 62% of emissions. The next largest emitter was off-road transportation, making up 24%. In 2022, the emissions totaled 318,095 Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
The final climate plan is scheduled to be presented this fall. The creation of the climate plan is financially supported by the Fonds région et ruralité of the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation (MAMH), as well as the financial assistance program “Accelerating Local Climate Transition” (ATCL), launched in March 2024 by the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte aux changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP).
“We received 1.1 million per MRC from the Quebec government to finance our climate plan. And after that, if there is any money left, we will be able to use it for concrete actions against climate change. There are also more opportunities for funding these actions once the climate plan is complete. The first step is the climate plan, the next step is reducing our emissions,” said Carrière.
Residents are able to provide their feedback for the climate change plan by filling out the public survey available on the MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais website.
