Download the guide to Climate Action for Elected Officials.

 The guide covers:

• Setting targets
• Leading by example
• Making it easy to be green
• Protecting your Assets
• Being Strategic

The full text is as follows...

 The Guide

Set a Target for Reducing Greenhouse Gases

Local governments must have targets in Official Community Plans (OCP)  by May 31, 2010 and in Regional Growth Strategies (RGS) by May 31,  2011.

Get started

Add an emissions reduction target to your Official Community Plan or Regional Growth Strategy. Assign clear responsibility and authority to staff for achieving your targets. See targets workbook at toolkit.bc.ca/eoq. Find out how much greenhouse gas your community produces. What are the largest  sources of emissions? There is a Community Energy and Emissions Inventory (CEEI) for every local government in B.C.Identify three things your government will do this  year to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Go further

Develop a Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) to decide how best to reduce community-wide emissions and energy use.

Lead by Example

Local governments all  over British Columbia  are taking innovative approaches to greenhouse gas reduction. Look at ways to reduce the “carbon footprint” from your local government’s operations.

Get started

Dawson Creek installed solar street lights to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. / UBCM.

Conduct an energy audit of existing local government buildings and facilities. Identify where you can  save the most money and reduce emissions. Convert streetlights and indoor lights to high efficiencyi bulbs. Don’t  forget to turn off lights, computers, copiers, etc. when not in use. Check out BC Hydro Power Smart. Get an E3 fleet review to increase fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and  reduce costs. Encourage  staff to take E3 driver  training to reduce emissions. Carpool or take transit to meetings, and encourage staff to do the same.

Go further

Look at ways to capture  and use heat and energy from “waste.”

Make it Easy to be Green

Encourage, enable or require energy savings throughout your community.

Get started

Neighborhood Centre Plan View / HB Lanarc, 2008Support smart growth developments that create livable, walkable communities where people have less need to drive. Use a climate action “lens” for all land-use planning decisions. Provide green buildingi incentives or rebates for energy-efficient buildings. Ensure your bylaws make it easy for residents and businesses to use “green” energy sources such as  geothermal and solar energy for hot water heating.

Create disincentives. Set higher rates for water use – less water consumed means less energy to treat and pump water and wastewateri. Set requirements for energy efficiency. Establish development permit areas for greenhouse gas reduction and energy/water conservation. Implement a community anti-idling bylaw to improve air quality and reduce emissions. Educate and encourage residents to take action.

Go further

Develop an active transportation plan that provides people with alternatives to single-occupant vehicles, and encourages healthy living.

Protect your Assets

Forests and wetlands act as “carbon sinks.” Agricultural lands provide local food, supporting community  jobs and reducing the distance that food travels  from farm to plate.

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Protect and plant trees to provide shade and windbreaks for buildings. This reduces energy use  and absorbs carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas). Protect wetlands and treed areas in and around communities. These “carbon sinks” absorb carbon dioxide. reducing greenhouse gases. Protect and provide places where people can grow food, even in high density developments. Community gardens, green roofs and parks all offer food-growing potential.

Go further

Protect agricultural land, and encourage local food growers and food processing businesses. This supports local jobs, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions as food has less distance  to travel.

Be Strategic

Work with your staff and community to achieve your emissions reductions. Think long term.

Get started

Plan ahead. Update accounting systems to track carbon when entering your fuel bills – this provides an emissions inventory without a lot of extra work. Dedicate budget and staff time. Allocate resources to achieving emissions reduction – it can be cheaper to take action now than to wait for later. Engage staff in development of new ideas and approaches. Create learning opportunities. Find out about BC Hydro’s funding for Community Energy Managers. Involve key stakeholders and the public. Citizens can provide creative input into emissions reduction planning and can help with implementation. Prepare for future climates. Consider the future  impacts of warmer temperatures, rising sea levels, drought, storms, etc. in all land-use decisions.

Go further

Link energy reduction to other community strategies. Encourage “green jobs” (such as energy assessors or specialists in energy-efficiency home retrofits) as part of your economic development strategy or community social planning.

Do you Have Questions?

Send your questions to toolkit.bc.ca/contact.