For the second year in a row, the Township of Esquimalt has been recognized by the joint Provincial-Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Green Communities Committee as a BC Climate Action Community. This recognition is for achieving Level 2 (Measurement) in the Climate Action Recognition Program, the second of three levels in the program.
As a signatory to the Climate Action Charter since October 2008, the Township has demonstrated its commitment to work with the Province and UBCM to take action on climate change and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in municipal operations and the community.
The Township completed a corporate carbon inventory and Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) public report for the 2013 reporting year. In 2013, the Township produced 1,038 tonnes of GHG emissions with 70% of emissions coming from powering, heating and cooling municipal buildings and 30% from the municipal fleet. The Township made significant progress in reducing corporate emissions in 2013 through its extensive energy retrofit of the Esquimalt Recreation Centre; compared to 2012, its natural gas consumption was reduced by one-third, and GHG emissions by 250 tonnes.
The 2013 CARIP Report highlights the progress and action being made towards reducing those emissions and meeting the Township’s Charter goals. CARIP is a conditional grant program that provides funding to Charter signatories equivalent to 100 percent of the carbon taxes they paid directly. The 2013 CARIP grant was $28,200 and was deposited in the Township’s Sustainability Reserve Fund to help fund future projects aimed at reducing GHG emissions in Township facilities or the wider community. The CARIP report is available here.
To achieve Level 2 designation, the Township was also required to demonstrate familiarity with the Community Energy and Emissions Inventory (CEEI). The CEEI for the Township shows energy consumption and GHG emissions from community-wide activities in on-road transportation, buildings and solid waste. The CEEI report is available here.
For more information, please contact:
Marlene Lagoa, Community Development Coordinator
Tel: 250-414-7114