The Senate is hiring a climate change consultant to identify how it can lower its emissions, according to Blacklock’s Reporter. .“Once the Senate’s carbon footprint is benchmarked, it will be better equipped to develop a long term plan that will reduce its environmental impact and track whether the actions taken will achieve these goals,” said the Senate in a notice to contractors..An official estimate said Senators logged five million-km per year in air travel. .The Senate said in 2021 it would be net zero by 2030. It would become the first carbon neutral legislature in Canada. .Independent Senators Group Sen. Colin Deacon said he believes it is possible. .“But as we all know, in the Senate it takes the Senate and senators working total to achieve any goal let alone an ambitious goal,” said Deacon. .“This is an ambitious goal but it’s an important goal for us to demonstrate leadership on.” .Deacon said he sees no reason why the Senate cannot accomplish this goal, even in a short period of time. He added it should “ask the next generations, the ones whose hair is not yet grey or white, our grandchildren, children, nieces and nephews, why it’s important.” .Senators who speak out against climate change billed thousands for air travel while complaining about greenhouse gas emissions. ISG Senator Mary Coyle spent money on flights despite warning Canada was heading for a “climate catastrophe.”.“We inch closer and closer to irreversible damage,” said Coyle. .“There is a need to act now and to take bold steps in addressing this crisis.”.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced a bill in the House of Commons in 2020 to set Canada on the road to be a net-zero emitter by 2050. .READ MORE: Trudeau lays out plans for country to be a net-zero emitter by 2050.“Net-zero is as much about avoiding the worst impacts of climate change as it is about creating good jobs and a competitive economy for years to come,” said Trudeau. .Bill C-12 required Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson set five-year targets, starting in 2030, for curbing emissions on the way to net zero by 2050.
