Air Quality Management in Calgary: Defining the Municipal Role

1. Air Quality Management in Calgary: Defining the Municipal Role CPANS Spring Conference, University of Calgary April 23-24, 2012 Presented by: Erin Evans, City of Calgary s

2. Outline • Why are municipalities important in air quality management? • Defining a role for The City of Calgary within the context of national and provincial air quality management • Current and future work in air quality at The City of Calgary

3. Why are municipalities important? • Can make a significant contribution to local air quality • Often take the initiative to develop community-specific air quality management plans and strategies • In Alberta, provincial support for community-specific plans through Particulate Matter and Ozone Management Framework

4. Why are municipalities important? • Corporate actions target municipal operations • Opportunity to influence some sources of local air pollution • E.g. land use and transportation planning • Lead by example and influence community: • Education and awareness • Promote community action

5. Why are municipalities important? • Have influence in their communities to encourage action to reduce local emissions and inform citizens about smog • Implement and manage innovative policies and actions real results

6. Defining a role for The City of Calgary National AQMS Provincial Air Frameworks CASA Regional Airsheds Public Industry Municipalities NGO

7. Defining a role for The City of Calgary • Challenges –changing national and provincial policy context • National Air Quality Management System (AQMS) • Provincial Frameworks (E.g. Regional Plans) • Expectations vs. municipal legislative mandate, available tax-supported funding and competing priorities

8. Defining a role for The City of Calgary • Currently, roles in CASA regional airsheds are not well defined • The City is a champion of the Calgary Region Airshed Zone • provides $100,000 in annual funding • actively participates in several committees • significant in-kind contributions (~$88,000 in staff time, office space, IT support)

9. Current Air Quality Work • City of Calgary recognizes the importance of improving and protecting our air quality • Several key documents guide our work in air quality: • Imagine Calgary • 2020 Sustainability Direction • Council Priorities, Departmental Business Plans • Municipal Development Plan and Transportation Plan

10. Current Air Quality Work • Two streams of air quality work: • Corporate (municipal operations) • Community (citizens) • Policy analysis –recognizing implications for The City of Calgary • National • Provincial • Defining our role and future direction

11. Current Air Quality Work • Working with the Calgary Region Airshed Zone on implementation of the PMO3 Management Plan: • Regional emissions inventory • Based on provincial data, with CRAZ-specific emissions categories • Will be used for understanding local emission sources • Also used for future (photochemical) modelling

12. Future Work • Investigate options to build our internal capacity and air quality program • Research how other municipalities have approached air quality management • Many plans, strategies and programs have already been developed and implemented • Opportunity to learn from other municipalities

13. Future Work • Consider possible integration of air quality and GHG management programs • Options for developing a corporate air emissions inventory • Continue to collaborate with other levels of government to stay informed

14. Future Work • Continue to support and collaborate with the Calgary Region Airshed Zone on community air quality issues • E.g. Ozone (and emissions) management • E.g. Air quality monitoring stations • Relocation and upgrading

15. Questions or Comments? For further information, please contact us! Erin Evans, Air Quality, Climate Change and Energy erin.evans@calgary.ca