Climate Action Toolkit E-news

Update on B.C.’s Climate Leadership Plan Public Input

This summer BC held a 30-day public consultation process to provide individuals and organizations with an opportunity to share their vision for the Climate Leadership Plan. The Climate Leadership Plan will build on the Climate Action Plan, launched in 2008, and is expected to move the province closer to its long-term goals. The draft plan is scheduled to be released in December 2015, when the public will have another chance to participate. Stay tuned! Learn more about Climate Leadership Plan and Tools to help further climate action in BC.

BC Climate Action efforts celebrated at the UBCM Convention

The 2015 CEA Awards were presented to North Cowichan and Prince George for their strong leadership in the implementation of corporate and community climate action plans. The winners of 2015 Climate & Energy Action Awards were announced by the Honourable Mary Polak, Minister of Environment, at the 2015 Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Convention.

The UBCM Community Excellence Awards were also announced at the 2015 UBCM Convention. The City of Kimberley won in the category of Leadership & Innovation, Green Initiatives for its SunMine Solar Facility.

BC Climate Action Toolkit also profiled several BC communitiesNanaimo, Saanich and Sparwood— for their efforts in reducing GHGs in 2015 at the (UBCM) tradeshow event. Case studies of these communities’ climate action efforts can be found here.

2016 Asset Management Planning Grants

Applications are now being accepted for the 2016 Asset Management Planning Grants. Up to 50 matching grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to BC local governments to assist with delivering sustainable asset management decisions. The program aligns with the Asset Management for Sustainable Service Delivery: A BC Framework document. Applications are due by November 13, 2015. More information is available on UBCM website.

New Tool – Community Infrastructure Planning Decision Support Tool

The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development created the Community Infrastructure Planning Decision Support Tool to help local governments make informed decisions related to the long-term sustainability of infrastructure development. The tool enables Local Governments to compare the infrastructure costs of different development scenarios over a 100 year period informing sustainable development and asset management decisions. The tool is effective in facilitating integrated decision making by bringing together engineering, finance and planning perspectives. Learn more

New Success Story: Sparwood Leisure Centre Energy Upgrade

The District of Sparwood retrofitted old heating and lighting infrastructure in their Community Leisure Center and Arena Complex to address the inefficient use of energy and to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the district. The retrofit is expected to help the municipality achieve GHG reduction of 182 tonnes CO2e and 4844 GJ per year.  The energy savings will be reinvested back into the community by supporting programs for active living, trail development, and improved walkability, which will lead to reduced GHG emissions from vehicle use. Learn more

CEEI update – BC Regional District Reporting Webinar Recording

The BC Ministry of Environment hosted a webinar on August 27th, 2015 following the data call to regional districts for their 2014 municipal solid waste disposal and emissions information.  This webinar provided:

  • an overview of the municipal solid waste disposal calculator
  • an overview of the newly added Community Energy and Emissions Inventory calculator
  • a demonstration of the ReTRAC online tool 

Learn more and watch the webinar

BC Clean Air Research Fund

BC Clean Air Research Fund (BC CLEAR) is now offering up to $20,000 in grants to academic institutions, government organizations, First Nations, industry, consulting and non-government organizations working on air quality research projects in British Columbia. The deadline for applications is October 30, 2015. The BC Clean Air Research Fund (BC CLEAR) promotes research excellence by funding transformative research of strategic importance for the management of air quality in British Columbia. Learn more

Featured Program: Oil to Gas Pump Incentive Program

Oil to Gas Pump Incentive Program provides an opportunity to reduce community-wide emissions by encouraging the public to upgrade from an oil heating system to a heat pump. The program is funded by the Ministry of Energy and Mines’ Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund, designed to support the B.C. government’s energy, economic, environmental, and greenhouse gas reduction priorities and advance B.C.’s clean energy sector. Learn more

Latest BC Climate Action Toolkit LinkedIn Group Discussions

Connect and share knowledge with your peers! Join the Toolkit LinkedIn group, a closed moderated group for local governments and their stakeholders. Examples of recent discussion themes are:

  • Insider Insights – Nanaimo Harvests Energy from Drinking Water Support System Q&A
  • GTI Pilot Community Initiative - Community Energy Planning in Canada
  • FCM Webinar: Having the Climate Change Conversation
  • Nominations for the QUEST Community Energy Builder Awards

Help us create a lively discussion amongst industry professionals and propel Climate Action efforts in BC. Join the Toolkit LinkedIn group

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The BC Climate Action Toolkit is provided by a three-way partnership between the Green Communities Committee (with representatives from the Province of BC and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities) and Smart Planning for Communities, a program of the Fraser Basin Council.

Local Government House: 525 Government Street, Victoria, BC V8V 0A8 Phone: (250) 356-0883

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