Carbon Neutral Local Government

graphic courtesy Pacific Carbon Trustgraphic courtesy Pacific Carbon TrustCarbon neutral local government is about taking responsibility for the carbon pollution or greenhouse gas (GHGi) emissions generated through local government operations. Achieving carbon neutrality is a four-step process: reduce carbon pollution through energy efficiency or fuel saving initiatives, measure remaining GHG emissions, counteract (or offset) remaining emissions to get to net-zero (or neutral) and report out on results.

Although a local government can invest in new and existing technologies to reduce GHGs within their operations, getting to true zero emissions with today’s technology is not likely without carbon offsetting. A carbon offset represents one tonne less of carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere and is created when an organization invests in real emissions-reducing activities outside their own operations (called an offset project). 

Going carbon neutral is a powerful way of demonstrating leadership and pricing carbon helps make the case for business decisions that support the transformation towards a cleaner economy. Local governments will be stimulating innovative emission reduction activities across the province through their investment in offset projects.

NEW!!!

20 local governments are currently piloting the Province’s web-based carbon reporting tool “SMARTTool” which provides a standardized approach to reporting and calculating an organization’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Draft Guidance

The Joint Provincial-UBCM Green Communities Committee’s Draft Guidance: Carbon Neutral Local Government – Helping local Governments Understand How to be Carbon Neutral in Their Corporate Operations often referred to as “the Workbook” is intended to provide guidance to local governments on what is in scope to measure and offset within the boundaries of their corporate emissions.

Download here.

The Workbook provides:

  •  an explanation as to what carbon neutrality is,
  • a draft description of which corporate operations, referred to as “traditional services”, will be included in the carbon neutral commitment,
  • advice on data collection; and
  • examples of energy statements and how the information can be used to interpret a local government’s energy consumption and carbon footprint

  • For more information about the Workbook please contact: Tatiana Robertson: Tatiana.Robertson@gov.bc.ca, Ministry of Community and Rural Development

Boundaries

Traditional government services under the boundaries for carbon neutral local government: Cariboo Regional District's Pine Valley Sewer System Upgrade - installed fine bubble diffusers, reducing hydro consumption by increasing process efficiency. / UBCM.Traditional government services under the boundaries for carbon neutral local government: Cariboo Regional District's Pine Valley Sewer System Upgrade - installed fine bubble diffusers, reducing hydro consumption by increasing process efficiency. / UBCM.The proposed boundaries for calculating carbon neutrality are based on  the operation and maintenance of traditional local government services (as compared to new construction).

The traditional services are:

  • Fire Protection
  • Solid waste collection, transportation and diversion 
  • Arts, recreation and cultural services
  • Road and traffic operations 
  • Drinking, Storm and Waste Water
  • Administration and Governance

Carbon emissions will be counted based on the energy/fuel used by mobile combustion sources (e.g., equipment such as backhoes, garbage trucks or lawnmowers), or stationary combustion sources (e.g., heat or electricity used in buildings, for equipment or for structures such as traffic lights). Some of the emissions will be from direct sources, for example the combustion of natural gasi for heating, or combustion of gasoline or diesel in vehicle fleets. Other emissions would be from indirect, or upstream sources, such as the generation of electricity that is used. Finally, a small portion would be fugitive emissions that escape (e.g., through coolants used in arenas). 
Carbon emissions will be counted based on the energy/fuel used by mobile combustion sources

Contracted Out Services

If a local government has a contractual or partnership arrangement to deliver these services, some of the emissions from these same services operated by the contractor/partner would also be included. This will apply to new contracts or upon contract renewal. The rationale for including contracted services was to establish a level playing field amongst all local governments.

Exclusions

Exclusions are activities that are beyond these traditional services, e.g., social housing, utilities, tree farms or police services.

Offsets

The GCC is working with local governments and the Province to enable the sale or purchase of valid local or regional offsets through an offset system that is in keeping with the principles of other credible offset certification systems, including the Pacific Carbon Trust.

Demonstrating Excellence, Supporting Innovation

Out of the Climate Action Charter, the Joint Provincial-UBCM Green Communities Committee (GCC) established the Carbon Neutral Working Group, composed of local government staff, experts and resource people to provide advice in developing a carbon neutral program. The GCC is currently:

  • Developing a credible framework local governments can use to offset their remaining emissions; and 
  • Developing program support to enable local governments to meet this challenge. 

The GCC is soliciting feedback on the boundary proposal, as well as continuing to consult with local governments and the Carbon Neutral Working Group in developing the offsets framework and program support.

Investing in offsets stimulates innovation in BC communities. / City of Dawson Creek wind monitorInvesting in offsets stimulates innovation in BC communities. / City of Dawson Creek wind monitorOffset: Investment in Innovation

An offset is an emission reduction credit purchased from another organization for a project that results in less carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere than would have otherwise occur. The buyer subtracts the offset, normally measured in tons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) from its own emission inventory.

Criteria and Credibility

A credible offset purchase stimulates emission reduction activity that would not have otherwise happened. Such an offset meets the criterion of additionality. This means in the absence of the financing from the sale of offsets, the project would not have happened. This is the cornerstone of offsetting. It means that your offset purchase is supporting emission reduction activities that would otherwise not be viable. At the same time, the price put on carbon established by offsets stimulates investment in innovative technologies and practices.

In the long run offset purchases can help emission reduction activity overcome technological and market barriers and become mainstream, everything from micro-renewable energy to building efficiency technologies.

Other high quality offset criteria include verification by a third party, sold or counted only once, and measureable.

Program Support

Toolkit.bc.ca is the first stage of a program to help local governments reduce their carbon footprint and achieve carbon neutrality. The GCC is working with the Climate Action Secretariat to develop a number of services, including support for reporting. Services being developed include:

  • Draft Guidance: Carbon Neutral Local Government – Helping local Governments Understand How to be Carbon Neutral in Their Corporate Operations, often referred to as the Workbook. This document is intended to support local governments as they work towards becoming carbon neutral in their corporate operations Download here
  • Reporting Guidelines to provide guidance on boundaries and conducting an inventory
  • An Inventory Tool to enable local governments to carry out their own inventory through an automated spreadsheet
  • A Training Program to help local governments conduct their own inventories and begin to use them as strategic GHG and business management tools

The GCC is also exploring other opportunities to support local governments in reducing their emissions.

Resources