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Squamish takes steps to fight climate change

Tourism Vancouver embraces carbon neutral travel for staff,

By Andrew Mitchell

Global warming is fast becoming the biggest issue of the day, with discussions and proposals for changes in Parliament, Legislature, local government and other organizations.

In the past week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced a $1.5 billion Green Fund for provinces to take their own emissions reductions steps, as well as tax breaks for consumers buying fuel-efficient vehicles and money to automakers to develop cleaner vehicles. Further, he is expected to announce plans to impose new efficiency and clean air standards on industry within the next few weeks.

In Tuesday’s Throne Speech, the Government of British Columbia announced plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020, through tougher emissions standards, new low-carbon fuel standards, and cleaner running coal plans that have 100 per cent carbon sequestering. Further, the oil and gas industry will be required to lower emissions to 2000 levels by 2016.

In announcing the plan, Premier Gordon Campbell noted that voluntary programs to reduce emissions have not worked.

“If we fail to act aggressively and shoulder our responsibility, we know what our children can expect,” he said. “Shrinking glaciers and snow packs, drying lakes and streams, and changes in the ocean’s chemistry.”

The new tailpipe standards for cars will be phased in between 2009 and 2016, and are expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from cars by 30 per cent. Currently transportation is the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions in the province.

The action to curb emissions doesn’t end there. Last week the District of Squamish announced a 12-step program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, through its Global Warming Action Plan — designed to bring the district into compliance with the Kyoto Protocol.

“If municipalities across Canada live up to the pledge, Kyoto targets are achievable,” said Squamish Mayor Ian Sutherland. “We are committed to making this happen and are already undertaking a number of green, sustainability, greenhouse gas reducing initiatives. Staff already work tirelessly on achieving these imperatives.”

The 12 steps are:

1. Doing an inventory of emissions in municipal operations and the community to set reduction targets and create an action plan.

2. Adopt and enforce anti-sprawl land-use policies, preserve open spaces, and create compact walkable-bikeable communities.

3. Promote transportation options such as bicycle/pedestrian commuter trails, commute-trip reduction programs, incentives for car-pooling, expanded public transit and regional transportation options, and adopt traffic policies that reduce idling.

4. Encourage and increase the use of clean, alternative, renewable energy. Purchase only “green”, non GHG producing fuels.

5. Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements — i.e. building bylaws that set highest standards for insulation, making homes “solar ready”, installing smart meters, and practicing and promoting sustainable building practices.

6. Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for municipal use; help develop a program that encourages residents to purchase energy efficient equipment, use only reusable grocery bags, and encourage businesses and residents to minimize plastic bag usage.

7. Increase efficiency of existing municipal facilities and infrastructure by retrofitting municipal buildings with energy efficient lighting, urging employees to conserve energy, using solar water heating systems, car pooling, etc.

8. Increase fuel efficiency of the municipal fleet through hybrids, biodiesel; reducing the number of vehicles in the fleet; launching an employee education system; encouraging fuel alternatives for the community.

9. Evaluate opportunities to increase pump efficiency in water and wastewater systems; institute water metering programs to encourage conservation; locate leakages and inefficiencies; maximize infrastructure; recover wastewater treatment and landfill methane for energy production.

10. Increase recycling rates in district operations and in the community through a complete compost, recycling and waste collection system.

11. Maintain and encourage healthy urban forests; promote tree planting where necessary, and institute a tree removal bylaw to increase shading and maximize carbon dioxide absorption.

12. Educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, businesses and industry about reducing global warming, and set an example how it can be done efficiently, economically and sensitively.

The plan also makes references to projects like the proposed wind energy plant in Howe Sound, the Official Community Plan, municipal participation in the federal Energy Savings Plan, proposed upgrades to Brennan Park Recreation Centre and the arena, and continued participation in the Sea to Sky Air Quality Coordinating Committee with Whistler, Pemberton, West Vancouver and the SLRD.

Tourism Vancouver also announced plans last week to purchase carbon credits on flights through Uniglobe Travel’s Green Flight Program. All official flights made by staff at Tourism Vancouver will use this program, and it will also be used on flights purchased to bring travel writers, customers and clients to Vancouver. It’s estimated the program will offset 220 metric tones of emissions this year.

Currently air travel is one of the fastest growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions, with the average person creating as much CO2 in a single transcontinental flight as they emit driving for an entire year.

“Given the nature of our business, the tourism industry has often been at the forefront of environmental responsibility,” said Tourism Vancouver president and CEO Rick Antonson. “Having such a spectacular destination means that we’re no strangers to getting out and truly enjoying our environment, and we understand that we need to make a commitment to preserving it.”

Whistler’s own greenhouse gas reduction strategies can be found in the Whistler 2020 sustainability plan, with elements in a wide range of areas, from energy, to transportation, to building standards.

According to Shannon Gordon of the RMOW, Whistler has made commitments that meet or exceed Kyoto.

“We do have specific reduction targets,” she said. “For one thing the RMOW is one of the signatories of the (Federation of Canadian Municipalities) Partners for Climate Protection Program, which means within municipal hall we have committed to a 20 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels. Also, we’ve committed to a six per cent reduction for the entire community from 1990 levels, which meets Kyoto standards.”

Gordon says the RMOW is also creating a carbon offset within municipal hall in 2007 that will be expanded to the community once all the pieces are in place.

All of the municipality’s greenhouse gas reduction strategies are integrated into Whistler2020, which touch every aspect of development and management within the resort. Visit www.whistler2020.ca for details.