Climate Change

Community-Level Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gases

Smart Planning for Communities is a new BC-wide collaborative initiative facilitated by the Fraser Basin Council to assist local and First Nations governments in addressing their long-term sustainability challenges, by providing resources and tools for planning socially, culturally, economically and environmentally sustainable communities.

Joint UBCM-Province Green Communities Committee

This innovative partnership between the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and the Province of BC serve to guide and support BC communities as they undertake progressive energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction activities across their communities.

B.C. Climate Action Charter

The Climate Action Charter commits interested local governments, the Province and Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) to work together to find ways to tackle the challenges posed by climate change. Local governments that sign the B.C. Climate Action Charter pledge to become carbon neutral by 2012, to measure and report on their community’s greenhouse gas emissions profile, and work to create compact, more energy efficient communities.

Compact, Sustainable and Greener Communities

The B.C. government has introduced the Local Government (Green Communities) Statutes Amendment Act to ensure local governments have the tools and guidelines necessary to create more compact neighbourhoods, with a stronger focus on energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction. Local governments will be required to include GHG-emission targets, policies and actions in their official community plans and regional growth strategies.

B.C. Community Energy and Emissions Inventory Initiative (CEEI)

The B.C. Community Energy and Emissions Inventory (CEEI) initiative is being undertaken to provide community energy consumption - and greenhouse gas emissions inventory reports for all B.C. local governments. These inventories will help to inform Regional Districts and municipalities as they plan and implement effective strategies for managing greenhouse gas emissions and energy use.

B.C. Community Action on Energy and Emissions (CAEE)

The B.C. Community Action on Energy and Emissions (CAEE) initiative provides financial and research support to BC local governments and First Nations to advance energy efficiency, energy conservation and emissions reductions measures through local government policy and planning tools. The Fraser Basin Council facilitates the initiative.

Greenhouse Gas Action Guide (November 2004)

The Greenhouse Gas Action Guide is a compilation of straightforward and cost-effective GHG-reduction initiatives. It is meant to help local governments carry out immediate actions to decrease greenhouse gases. The guide is hosted by the B.C. Climate Exchange.

Integration of Air Quality-Related Planning Processes - May 2004 (PDF/2 MB/149 pages)

This study explores the present practice and potential for integrating three community-based planning processes into one: air quality management planning, greenhouse gas action planning and community energy planning.