Low-Emission Zones Around the World and the Possibility of Implementation in Canada

Abstract

The effects of climate change are rapidly becoming untenable for many communities that the need to take immediate action where most impactful is now the only available course of action. Since the transportation sector is the largest domestic contributor to climate change, countries across the world are attempting to find ways to address the issue and lower current GHG emissions from that sector to protect the environment and sustain life on earth. Using data and research to support evidence-based climate action to maximize results is critical to these efforts. In fact, major cities such as London, Madrid, and Beijing have all attempted to implement this approach by establishing low-emission zones to lower the number of pollutant vehicles circulating the cities and reduce emissions in high-density areas. The have each faced a variety of success and failures, yet the net outcome has been a positive one in terms of economic efficiency, public acceptability, and environmental protection. Lessons with regards to infrastructure, implementation and enforcement are understood through the case studies of those three cities. The main benefit of this policy is the potential reduction in emissions, but a zero-emission zone could also improve air quality, reduce congestion, contribute to climate goals, and raise municipal revenue. Canada is precipitating its efforts to take climate action seriously and is currently considering creating a low-emission zone with the goal of eventually introducing zero-emission zones rather than stay the course with other approaches that have yet to yield the required results. It is recommended that low-emission zone pilot programs begin implementation as soon as possible in Vancouver and Montreal based on the lessons learned in London, Madrid, and Beijing. Both Canadian cities have sufficient infrastructure and capital to back a successful transition to a low-emission zone, which can be used as models for other cities, such as Toronto, following their lead in reducing emissions and limit the deadly rise in temperature.