Govt. of Canada launches its 2030 agenda National strategy, Goal 11 is to provide safe and sustainable cities

The Government of Canada launched its 2030 Agenda National Strategy as part of its commitment to the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Goal 11 focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Globally, over 50% of the world's population resides in urban areas, which is projected to increase by two-thirds by 2050. Most cities account for significant energy consumption and carbon emissions, face housing shortages, and are deeply vulnerable to climate change impacts. In Canada, where a large portion of the population relies on urban areas for housing, achieving sustainability is essential to the country's national development.
 

Role of the government

Canada is determined to achieve this goal by ensuring all its residents have access to good quality housing and live in sustainable areas with a healthy and accessible environment. Given below are steps that the government can adopt to build eco-friendly cities:
 

• Encourage inclusive governance and participatory, collaborative, and long-term planning and management of cities.
• Must ensure that housing programs are appropriate and safe.
• Boost disaster and climate change resilience, especially among the most vulnerable neighborhoods and populations.
• Low-carbon growth policies, sustainable waste management, and closed material cycles will help communities reduce environmental impacts and resource footprints.
• Make the transition to more sustainable urban mobility and accessible public transportation.
• Must ensure that there are green spaces available in public
   

Multiple objectives

The Canadian government has a list of objectives it seeks to achieve by 2030; this includes:
 

• By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums
• Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all
• Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries
• Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world's cultural and natural heritage
• Significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected
• Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
• Provide universal access to safe, inclusive, accessible green and public spaces.
   

Canada's determination to provide sustainable housing is a testimony to its desire to meet the U.N.'s agenda to ensure a better quality of life for everyone living in Canada, including immigrants.