Climate Action & Adaptation

Esquimalt is taking action to reduce our emissions, both in the community and in our own operations. 

In 2019, Council unanimously endorsed the proposed target to reduce corporate emissions by 45 per cent and committed Esquimalt to becoming a 100 per cent renewable energy community by 2050.

On July 11, 2022, Council approved the Climate Action Plan, Climate Mitigation Plan, and the Adaption Planning Guide:

  1. Climate Action Plan 
  2. Township of Esquimalt Climate Mitigation Plan
  3. Township of Esquimalt Climate Adaptation Guide

2023 LGCAP Survey

The Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) provides funding to support local climate action that reduces emissions and prepares communities for impacts of climate change. As part of the program, recipients of funding will be required to report on their actions.

As a signatory to the Climate Action Charter, the Township of Esquimalt is committed to:  

  • Making progress towards becoming carbon neutral in its operations; 
  • Measuring and reporting on the community’s GHG emissions; and 
  • Creating a complete, compact, and energy-efficient community.

Other resources

International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives 

The Township of Esquimalt participated in an Island-wide collaborative project aimed at understanding the effects of climate change on local communities and how to plan for climate change risks.

The Together for Climate Project ran from fall 2018 to summer 2020 in partnership with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Canada, which was awarded funding from the Real Estate Foundation of BC. 

The funding supported eight local and regional governments on Vancouver Island to develop climate change adaptation strategies using an established framework.  

ICLEI Canada is a non-profit that specializes in supporting municipalities with climate change planning efforts. ICLEI provides project partners with one-on-one technical and advisory services, as well as assistance with planning, logistics, and delivery of stakeholder engagement activities. ICLEI also facilitates networking and knowledge sharing opportunities with other participating local governments. 

Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) Report

CARIP was a conditional grant program that provides funding to Climate Action Charter (Charter) signatories equivalent to 100 percent of the carbon taxes they pay directly. In 2017, the Township of Esquimalt received a CARIP grant of $36,642. This funding supports local governments in their efforts to reduce GHG emissions and move forward on achieving their Charter goals. The CARIP Program was discontinued by the Provincial Government. 

View previous CARIP reports