Ecological Footprint in Calgary Transportation decisions & travel behaviour

Overview Ecological Footprint - what is it? Calgary’s Ecological Footprint: a call to action Short & long term objectives to address transportation issues Partnerships, the key to success

Ecological Footprint Footprint is a measure of people’s demand on nature. It compares the amount of resources we consume with nature’s ability to provide resources and absorb waste. It is not a measure of the physical size of the municipality. It is about a balance of supply and demand.

Ecological Footprint - Methodology International standard for calculation and guidelines for communication Utilizes international and national statistical information Assumptions and allocations are explicit and entail a conservative bias. Includes life cycle consumption (creation – use - disposal) Puts consumption in a land area context

Ecological Footprint - Limitations Not a precise measure of ecological sustainability. Footprint underestimates the impact of human activities on the biosphere Limitations at the sub national level due to availability of statistical information Best to augment footprint with local indicators

Ecological Footprint - Overshoot 2008 Earth Overshoot Day = September 23

Ecological Footprint of Nations Calgary Canada

Index of Well Being

Calgary’s Footprint – A call to action Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Ecological Footprint Report Calgary has the largest Ecological Footprint per capita of any Canadian city at 9.96 gha

Calgary’s Footprint – A call to action

Calgary’s Footprint – Mobility Facts Motor fuel consumption has increased by 14% from ,038 vehicles per 1,000 licensed drivers. 4,716 kilometers of road 15% increase % of the population spend more than 60 minutes on round trip commutes

Calgary’s Footprint - Mobility Facts Model split (AM) Downtown Auto drivers – 1996 = 50% 2006 = 36% Auto passengers – 1996 = 11%2006 = 8% Transit = 33%2006 = 45% Walk = 5%2006 = 8% Bike = 1%2006 = 2%

18,000 Calgarians engaged Developed community vision for Calgary Long range targets Reduce Calgary’s per capita Ecological Footprint Mobility target’s

Transit oriented development Smart Planning Principles: Compact and walkable communities with higher population densities. Energy conservation Support green building Transportation Demand Management – Strategy and Master Plan

Transit oriented development

Ecological Footprint Project: informing- slow things first Billion 2003 global hectares 12 Long-term waste 24 Biocapacity Footprint Amount of overshoot

Informing - MINI-FOOTPRINT: Ride the Wind -- Calgary’s Wind Powered C Train The community’s total Ecological Footprint is reduced by 6,329 global hectares per year by using wind produced energy. This land area is similar to preserving a forested area 6.5 times the size of Nose Hill Park every year. Wind power for the C Train results in the reduction of 23,382 tons of CO 2 emissions per year.

Ecological Footprint Project – Community Connections Major community wide events Footprint for cities conference 2007 Footprint community launch 2008 Porchlight Project 2008 Engagement with groups – Community & Business Interactive website Calculate your personal footprint Database of community activities and actions

Personal Footprint Calculator

Personal Action

Partnerships Calgary Board of Education & University of Calgary Natural Resources Canada, ENMAX, ATCO Gas & Sustainable Calgary Calgary Public Library Pembina Institute Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Built Green FCM, ICLEI, Global Footprint Network, Statistics Canada

Conclusion Ecological footprint speaks to much more than greenhouse gas reduction. Scientifically based with an international standard. Provides both options to people and priorities for planning actions to reduce the footprint.

Thank You! Calgary Ecological Footprint Project Web: Patrick Inglis, Environmental Specialist Phone: (403) Global Footprint Network Earth Day Canada – ecoAction aspx ImagineCalgary