In the fall of 2008, DNV was selected as one of six “Solar Communities” in BC. Solar BC provided the District with a $20,000 grant to promote solar hot water systems.The District of North Vancouver's comprehensive approach to tackling climate changei involves a number of initiatives including developing a community and corporate climate change action plan, collaborating on a 100 year carbon neutrali visioning project with the City of North Vancouver and taking direct action with the community on initiative where citizens are asked to undertake a “low carbon diet”.
This comprehensive approach to climate change was initiated for many reasons: in 2007 the District became one of 115 B.C. Municipalities to sign the B.C. Climate Action Charter which committed the District to the goal of becoming carbon neutral in its operations by 2012. This commitment necessitates the District to establish and coordinate corporate efforts to conserve energy and significantly reduce GHGi emissions in its facilities, transportation and infrastructure. The District is also committed to revising its OCP. Because Bill 27 obliges local governments to include GHG targets in its OCP, there was a realization that the District also needs to develop a Community Climate Change Plan that will include targets, policies and actions to achieve the targets. Also in 2007, the District became a Gold member of the Community Action on Energy and Emissions Initiative where the District has committed to reduce energy usage for all new multi-family, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings by 25% below the Building Code standards by 2010.
While there was recognition that planning for climate change is important, taking action at the community level was considered a critical step to gain awareness around climate change. To this end District funded and is involved in a pilot project to have citizens undertake a “low carbon diet” – a project engaging citizens to change their behaviour and reduce their carbon footprint. The 100-year carbon neutral visioning Charrettei was a joint project with the City of North Vancouver and provided an ideal context to frame all actions and priorities around reducing carbon emissions and providing a vision of what a carbon neutral community could look like.
100 Year Concept Plan / City of North Vancouver with adjacent District of North Vancouver study sites.
Engagement & Governance
The first Low Carbon Cafe in North Vancouver held in the fall of 2008 was coordinated by Legacy North Shore Society with the support and participation of the District of North Vancouver.
Key players for the District’s climate changei initiatives have come from all levels of the organization. Sustainable Community Development staff were key in initiating the planning process behind the corporate and community climate change plans. Legacy North Shore, a community based non-profit organization, initiated the “low carbon diet” project engaging citizens in the community. The 100-year visioning Charrettei project was initiated by the City of North Vancouver with the UBC Design Centre for Sustainability that has included the participation of staff from the District and inclusion of two adjacent study areas in the District.
Policy Framework
Targets that the District has agreed to meet (carbon neutrali operations by 2012; energy reduction in new buildings) and targets that the District is obliged to set (GHGi reduction in OCP) have provided an important impetus for developing their comprehensive strategy around climate changei. The District has, however, had the vision of moving toward sustainabilityi for a number of years, and in fact , adopted the vision “to become one of the most sustainable communities in the world by 2020”. Council also adopted The Natural Step sustainability principles in 2004 to guide strategic planning which has provided a framework for action around sustainability for the District.
Implementation
The District’s comprehensive approach to climate changei is being implemented on many levels. A background analysis and strategic directions for community climate change action plan are being developed; the corporate climate change action plan is actively underway with a baselinei of emissions and an energy management audit having recently been completed. The 100-year carbon neutrali visioning project will be used to inform community and corporate strategic directions relating to climate change.
100 Year Vision of Lower Capilano / District of North Vancouver.
50 Year Vision of Lower Capilano / District of North Vancouver.
Written by District of North Vancouver
Other sources: City of North Vancouver
UBC Design Centre for Sustainability_Design Vision for a Sustainable Region of 4 Million