TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: November 17, 2025 Report No. DEV-25-056
TO: Council
FROM: Jakub Lisowski, Planner II - Policy, Development Services
SUBJECT: 2024 Climate Action Annual Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council:
1. Receive the 2024 Climate Action Annual Report (Attachment 1 of Staff Report DEV-25-056) for information and discussion; and
2. Receive the 2024 Esquimalt Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) survey as described in Attachment 2 of Staff Report DEV-25-056 for information.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This report provides an opportunity to discuss recent climate action at the Township of Esquimalt. The 2024 Climate Action Annual Report (Attachment 1) provides an analysis of the Township’s progress to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and provides the 2024 Activity Report, as a pared down table from the 2022 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 GHG emissions accounting are ongoing activities for the Township of Esquimalt since becoming BC Climate Action Charter members in 2008. At the Climate Action Planning Workshop in 2023 Council directed staff to begin providing an annual report on climate actions that are tied to specific strategies and targets in the climate plan. The attached 2024 Climate Action Annual Report (Attachment 1) is the requested report with the 2024 Activity Report provided as Appendix A.
Referral Comments:
The Internal Climate Action Working Group 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 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. It involves tracking operational fuel consumption for buildings and fleet vehicles in the delivery of services to the community. Fuel consumption from contracted services are tracked and converted into GHG emissions levels, based on provincial guidelines.
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.
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 associated with climate action reporting. 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 Council:
1. Receive the 2024 Climate Action Annual Report (Attachment 1) for information and discussion; and
2. Receive the 2024 Esquimalt Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) survey as described in Attachment 2 of Staff Report DEV-25-056 for information.
Option 2
That Council provide alternate direction to staff.
Option 3
That Council 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 impacts of future climate initiatives would need to be explored through an impact assessment 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:
Council to consider if they wish to undertake any specific actions based on the 2024 Climate Action Annual Report.
REPORT REVIEWED BY:
1. Bill Brown, Director of Development Services, Reviewed
2. Deb Hopkins, Director of Corporate Services, Reviewed
3. Ian Irvine, Director of Finance, Reviewed
4. Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer, Concurrence
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
1. Attachment 1: 2024 Climate Action Annual Report with action table
2. Attachment 2: Esquimalt’s completed 2024 LGCAP survey
3. Attachment 3: Staff presentation