Climate Action in Creston

The Province of BC in 2023 has completed a Climate Change Accountability Report. The report highlights the following:

• Methane from oil and gas has continued to decrease significantly, with a reduction of more than 50%, surpassing B.C.’s current target of 45% reduction by 2025 and putting the province on a path toward a 75% reduction by 2030.
• Passenger electric vehicle sales were the highest in Canada, at 22% of all new sales so far this year, progressing well to B.C.‘s target of 26% by 2026.
• B.C. has one of the largest public charging networks in Canada.
  • In 2022, the number of public charging stations in B.C. grew by 24% to more than 3,800.
• As part of Budget 2023, the Province raised income thresholds and boosted the climate action tax credit to put more money back in people’s pockets.
  • A single person who received $193.50 last year will get $447 this year.
• More than 13,000 CleanBC rebates for residential retrofits were provided, including 6,000 incentives to make heat pumps more affordable, for an 84% increase from the previous year.
  • People can save as much as $14,300 on equipment and installation by combining a provincial sales tax exemption with provincial, federal and municipal top-up and rebate programs.
• B.C. has invested in public transit and active transportation.
  • This includes providing e-bike rebates, providing bus passes to low-income seniors and people receiving disability assistance, and making public transit free for children 12 and younger.
• B.C. is supporting communities through the Local Government Climate Action Program and investing in 59 infrastructure projects throughout the province for renewable energy, clean transportation and efficient buildings.
• B.C. is preparing for climate change effects by implementing its Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy, and launching the ClimateReadyBC platform to help communities and others identify and manage disaster and climate risks.
• B.C. is supporting the electrification of B.C.’s economy through the BC Hydro Task Force and a new Clean Energy and Major Projects Office to fast-track investment in clean energy and technology.
  
  

To read the full report click HERE

The Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) provides local governments and Modern Treaty Nations with predictable and stable funding. This funding supports local climate action that reduces emissions and prepares communities for the impacts of a changing climate.

LGCAP provides funding for local governments and Modern Treaty Nations to plan and implement climate action that will:

• Reduce emissions
• Create new opportunities for people in the clean economy
• Build community resilience to future climate impacts

The program is designed to:

• Disburse funding efficiently
• Support timely local climate action

In 2022, it was determined that the Town of Creston would receive $100,000 in funding over three years to put towards climate action. As part of the program, funding recipients are required to report on their actions through an LGCAP survey.

To view our survey, click HERE

On July 18th, 2023 Staff drafted a report for Committee of the Whole outlining public feedback. At Committee of the Whole, Council referred the draft Plan back to staff for further revision following all public consultation to date.

You can click HERE to view the agenda from the July 18th, 2023 Regular Committee of the Whole meeting.

In order to meet BCs legislated targets of 40% below 2007 levels by 2030, 60% by 2040, and 80% by 2050, the Town of Creston’s emissions need to decrease significantly. The Creston Climate Action Plan focuses on transportation, buildings & infrastructure, waste, leadership & education, and adaptation & resiliency to reach these targets.

Transportation

• Encourage the development of compact and walkable neighborhoods that provide access to essential services and amenities, reducing the reliance on automobiles
• Increase vehicle sharing opportunities, expand public transportation options, and implement active transportation orientated planning
• Shift towards vehicle electrification

Buildings & Infrastructure

• Increase the use of renewable energy sources in new and existing buildings and infrastructure
• Reduce energy demand in buildings and infrastructure through community design, green buildings, and energy efficient technology
• Increase heat recovery to heat buildings and water

Waste

• Utilize products designed for a longer and higher quality of life and that have a lower carbon footprint through production processes
• Promote a circular economy by supporting a system where resources are used for as long as possible, and waste is minimized through reuse and recycling
• Recover energy from waste through processes that produce heat and other, harnessable by-products

Leadership & Education

• Foster collaborative efforts with strong ethical behaviour and a culture of learning
• Promote truthful and reliable information while working to increase awareness among diverse community groups
• Demonstrate accountability by prioritizing long-term, environmentally-friendly practices that reduce GHG emissions and contribute to a healthier and more resilient community

Adaptation & Resiliency

• Develop adaptation strategies to prepare for the evolving impacts of climate change
• Create and implement resiliency plans to withstand the impacts of climate change
  

It's important to remember that although local governments have a big impact on the daily lives of community members, they have more control in some areas than others. The greater the control a municipality has over policy decisions, budgeting, infrastructure development, and capacity building, the more impactful the emissions reductions from the action.

Clear Authority

• Waste
• New buildings

Some Authority

• Moving beyond the car
• Electrified passenger vehicles

Limited Authority

• Existing buildings
• Low carbon commercial vehicles

To remain on track with the BC Climate Action Charter Targets for 2030, Creston’s emissions should be 21,000 CO₂e tonnes. The Town of Creston would have to reduce 2020 emissions by approximately 50% by 2030 to meet this target.

Provincial Targets

• 16% below 2007 levels by 2025
• 40% below 2007 levels by 2030
• 60% below 2007 levels by 2040
• 80% below 2007 levels by 2050

The International Panel on Climate Change states, “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land. In general, we are seeing more extreme weather events, hotter average temperatures, and melting sea and land ice.

In Creston, we can observationally attest to these changes. For example, during the summer of 2021, Creston experienced extreme heat events with temperatures surpassing 40^oC. In the future, Creston can expect higher average temperatures, more hot days (check out this report for more on heatwaves in Creston), shifts in precipitation patterns, and likely an overall increase in precipitation. These changes are predicted to have damaging impacts such as increased wildfire events, drought, vegetation impacts, and negative water quality impacts.

Creston’s Official Community Plan (2017) sets out the following target commitments:

• 10% reduction from 2007 baseline levels in community-wide emissions by 2020; and,
• 20% reduction from 2007 baseline levels in community-wide emissions by 2030.

Creston did not meet its target for 2020, in fact, we surpassed our Business As Usual (BAU) scenario. The BAU scenario showcases the likely scenario if no behaviours were changed as well as takes growth and development into account. In 2020, the Town of Creston emitted approximately 40,241 tonnes of CO₂e (Carbon dioxide equivalent). We need more aggressive targets and actions to meet our 2030 and 2050 targets.

Save the Date: October 14, 2023

"The Climate Friendly Homes Tour is an opportunity to see climate-friendly homes and a chance to engage with experts and homeowners who have successfully implemented sustainable living practices in their homes. Visitors will be able to view and learn about technologies and techniques that improve home comfort and climate friendliness.

By participating in the Climate Friendly Homes Tour, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the positive impact changes to the home can have on the environment, as well as their own well-being. Whether you are a homeowner looking to make improvements, a renter interested in adopting green habits, or simply an enthusiast curious about the latest advancements in climate-friendly technologies, this tour has something for everyone."

To see what home tours will be available in Creston visit HERE.