Success Stories



BC local governments have already shown a clear commitment to take action on climate change. Let's learn from what has already been done. Browse the climate initiatives below.

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CommunityStory
Whistler's Integrated Approach Whistler has taken important steps towards becoming a low-carbon community, through an integrated approach to sustainability planning.
Langley's E3 Fleet Program SuccessThe Township of Langley achieved BC’s first Green Rated Fleet, and reached the Silver level under the E3 Green Fleet Program.
District Heating in North Vancouver Lonsdale Energy district energy system delivers high-efficiency, cost-effective sustainable energy to North Vancouver customers, while reducing community-wide GHG emissions.
Idling Reduction in the City of Williams LakeWilliams Lake realizes dramatic reductions in fuel and maintenance costs as a result of its fleet and equipment anti-idling policy. 
Dawson Creek's Energy PlanThe Dawson Creek community energy plan examines current and future energy consumption patterns and shows the links between energy savings and cost savings.
Clean Fleet Collaboration: Central Kootenay and Nelson Central Kootenay and Nelson work together to reduce GHGs in an E3 Fleet partnership.
Public Transit on Saltspring IslandIntroducing public transit on Salt Spring Island has been a great success, with ridership and revenue higher than anticipated. 
District of North Vancouver: Long Term PlanningThe District of North Vancouver is undertaking a unique, multifaceted and comprehensive approach to tackling climate change through long term planning. 
Curbside Organic Waste Collection in LadysmithThe first municipality in BC to introduce universal residential curbside pick-up of organic waste, Ladysmith is dramatically reducing the amount of waste going into landfill.
Saanich's Civic Building RetrofitsThe District of Saanich undertook a comprehensive energy retrofit program of its civic facilities with an energy services company that guaranteed energy savings.
Hartland Landfill Gas Utilization ProjectA public-private partnership between the CRD and Maxim Power Corp has succeeded in harnessing methane produced at the Hartland Landfill and transporting it to a generation facility to produce enough power for 1600 homes.
Windmills light up the District of ChetwyndLeading edge technology harnesses windpower to generate clean electricity for LED light decorated trees.
Solar powered circulators make a splash in District of Elkford sewage lagoonsThe District of Elkford installed solar powered circulators in one of its sewage lagoons to eliminate the need for hydro power and added chemicals.
Ucluelet’s Approach to Sustainable Development PlanningUsing zoning tools, alternative development standards, density innovations and win-win development negotiations, Ucluelet has cultivated a community that is continually working towards sustainability.
Comox Addresses Drive-Through GHG-emissions The Town of Comox Council passed a Zoning bylaw that will limit pollution from cars idling in drive-throughs.
Houston's green community initiatives. The District of Houston is a small northern community with big environmental initiatives; in particular the promotion of alternative energy sources such as geothermal, solar and biomass energy.
Grand Forks is cycling its way to lower GHG emissionsThe City of Grand Forks recently created a Sustainable Community Plan and it taking steps to promote non-motorized transportation in the community.
Green power lights up the Alberni ValleyA joint run-of-river hydro project in the Alberni Valley is producing sustainable, green energy for local residents.
Naramata's Energy Efficient Water TreatmentThe Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen’s (RDOS) improved their water supply with new water treatment infrastructure and a plan for decoupling irrigation and municipal water systems.
T’Sou-ke Nation Community Hot Spot for Solar PowerThe T’Sou-ke First Nation community have become the largest solar powered community energy project in BC with Hydro meters run Backwards
Parksville Digs InThe City of Parksville addressed a growing community demand to participate in local food production. In a special Council meeting the Council passed an amendment to the zoning bylaw to permit urban food gardens in the City of Parksville.
The District of Peachland Cools OffPeachland is taking action to meet their carbon neutral commitments and discovering they would be getting much more in the process. Once the District embarked on a comprehensive energy assessment to determine their baseline GHG outputs they saw many opportunities to reduce energy costs.
Burns Lake Community Energy PlanThe Village of Burns Lake took one step towards climate protection by creating a community energy plan. The plan became a leap forward towards ongoing climate action.
Vancouver’s Shrinking Footprint After peaking in 2000, Vancouver’s community GHG emissions have been reduced to 1990 levels. They are on track to reach target of a further 6 per cent reduction by 2012 or sooner. Vancouver has the lowest per capita GHG emissions of any major city in North America. This has been achieved at the same time that Vancouver has undergone significant growth: 27 per cent increase in population and 18 per cent increase in jobs.
An Old Idea Gets New Life: District of Lake Country's Turbine GeneratorAn Okanagan region is enjoying the benefits of hydroelectric generation from their reservoir.
Southeast False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility (NEU)The Southeast False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility (NEU) is an environmentally-friendly community energy system that provides space heating and domestic hot water to all new buildings in Southeast False Creek (SEFC), including but not limited to the Olympic Village.
City of Quesnel Conducts Final Feasiblity Study for Innovative Community Energy System in North CaribooThe City of Quesnel and Terasen Gas are completing a final feasibility study for an innovative biomass-based, combined heat and power district energy system that will provide a clean, local source of energy and long-term economic opportunities for the community.
Revelstoke Community Energy SystemRevelstoke's Community Energy System provides the community with increased job security, improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and lower energy costs for customers.
Sooke's Innovative Town Centre Takes ShapeSooke has looked long term to develop a new Town Centre and created an innovative policy framework to realize this goal.
Building a Youth Cycling Culture in the CRDThe Capital Regional District (CRD) successfully completed a youth cycling education program for Grade 7 students, instilling confidence and knowledge in the next generation of cyclists.

 

It is not our goal to reinvent the wheel. We wanted you to know that there are alot of fantastic case studies out there to uncover. Here are a few of our favourite resources: