New climate-change action plan for Montreal

The city now has two climate-action plans, as more plans to cut pollution linked to climate change were made public on Thursday.

According to the Gazette, the plans include changes to public transit, the energy efficiency of municipal buildings, driving practices for municipal employees and reducing the use of heating oil.

However, city executive committee chairperson, Josée Duplessis says that even with the new plans in place, it will be a colossal challenge to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2020 compared to 1990.

To improve service and cut emissions, chairperson of the STM, Michel Labrecque, has said new, bigger métro cars are being ordered, and electric buses will be tested.

The city is also planning on creating wider sidewalks and improving bike paths to encourage walking and the use of bikes.

Duplessis said that making even small changes, everyone- including citizens - can make a differences.