TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: November 18, 2024 Report No. DEV-24-053
TO: Committee of the Whole
FROM: Karen Hay, Policy Planner and Bill Brown, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT: Climate Action Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the Committee of the Whole recommend that Council:
• Receive the 2024 Climate Action Report (Attachment 1) for information and discussion.
• Consider Attachment 2 - ‘Next Climate Actions 2025-2026 for inclusion in the Climate Action Plan.
• Receive the 2024 Esquimalt, Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) survey (Attachment 3) as revised, for information.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The purpose of this report is to provide an opportunity to discuss recent climate action at the Township of Esquimalt. The ‘2024 Climate Action Report’ (Attachment 1) provides an analysis of the Township’s progress to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and provides the “2023 Activity Report”, as a pared down table from the Climate Action Plan summarizing recent actions taken to help mitigate global warming and to build the Township’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.
BACKGROUND:
Climate action and greenhouse gas emissions accounting are ongoing activities for the Township of Esquimalt since becoming BC Climate Action Charter members in 2008. At the ‘2023 Climate Action Planning Workshop’ (August 28, 2023) Council directed staff to begin providing an annual report on climate actions that tie to specific strategies and targets in the climate plan (strategy 5.1 of the Climate Action Plan). A summary of recent climate actions was initially taken to Council on June 24, 2024, with the Annual Report, where Council clarified that they wanted a stand-alone climate report with the “2023 Activity Report” incorporated. The attached ‘2024 Climate Action Report’ (Attachment 1) is the requested report with the “2023 Activity Report” provided as Appendix 1.
Referral Comments:
The Internal Climate Action Working Group has met six times in 2024 to discuss Esquimalt Climate Action Plan items, opportunities for cooperation on regional initiatives, corporate greenhouse gas accounting, and the provincial Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) survey.
ANALYSIS:
Climate action and greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting are complex topics that are impacted by priorities within the organization and from influences outside the organization.
The scope of what we count towards our GHG emissions are largely provided for us by provincial, federal, and global organizations and researchers. Primarily it involves tracking operational fuel consumption for buildings and fleet vehicles in the delivery of services to the community. Determination of some emissions (contracted services) are also generally left to staff discussion and estimation.
Climate actions are guided by the Esquimalt Climate Action Plan, collaborative opportunities available within the region, and by financing available from provincial and federal sources, including from non-profits and other level of governments. As, Esquimalt is a smaller municipality, staff gratefully use the resources of the Capital Regional District (CRD) and larger municipalities (City of Victoria and District of Saanich) to help provide the background work for new initiatives whenever possible.
Environmental Impact:
Regular reporting on climate action provides accountability and provides insight into where progress has been made towards our targets and where we need to increase our efforts. There are no environmental impacts of climate action reporting until it delays action. The Climate Action Plan supports reporting with action 5.1, which reads: “Develop an annual progress report that ties to specific strategies and targets in this plan.”
OPTIONS:
Option 1
That the Committee of the Whole recommend that Council:
• Receive the 2024 Climate Action Report (Attachment 1) for information and discussion.
• Consider Attachment 2 - ‘Next Climate Actions 2025-2026 for inclusion in the Climate Action Plan.
• Receive the 2024 Esquimalt, Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) survey (Attachment 3) as revised, for information.
Option 2
That the Committee of the Whole provide alternate direction to staff.
Option 3
That Committee of the Whole request additional information from staff.
COUNCIL PRIORITY:
Climate Resilience and Environmental Stewardship - Develop an annual progress report that ties to specific strategies within the climate plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost of climate action reporting needs to be balanced with the need to dedicate staff time to climate action. The potential costs of future climate initiatives would need to be explored further before adding them to the current Council Priority Plan.
COMMUNICATIONS/ENGAGEMENT:
This report has not created any public engagement activities. The CleanBC (LGCAP) survey has been posted on the Esquimalt.ca website, as required by the province.
TIMELINES & NEXT STEPS:
• COTW recommendation to Council of any future priorities they would like staff to consider for inclusion as Future Council Priorities.
• Council to consider what they would like to see in the 2025 climate action progress report.
REPORT REVIEWED BY:
1. Bill Brown, Director of Development Services, Reviewed
2. Ian Irvine, Director of Finance, Reviewed
3. Sarah Holloway, Deputy Corporate Officer, Reviewed
4. Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer, Concurrence
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2024 Climate Action Report with action table
2. Next Climate Actions 2025-2026
3. Esquimalt’s completed 2024 LGCAP survey (revised)
4. Staff presentation slides