REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: June 6, 2016 Report No. DEV-16-039
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Marlene Lagoa, Community Development Coordinator
SUBJECT:
Title
2015 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program Report
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council receive the 2015 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program Report for information.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
BC Climate Action Charter
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
This request for decision does not relate directly to any of Council’s Strategic Priorities.
BACKGROUND:
The Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) is a conditional grant program that provides funding to BC Climate Action Charter (Charter) local government signatories equivalent to 100% of the carbon taxes paid. To receive funding, signatories must report annually on their progress toward meeting their climate action goals.
Three reports were completed to meet the requirements of the 2015 reporting year:
1. Carbon Tax Form - a comparative table from 2008-2015 is attached as Schedule A;
2. CARIP Public Report - attached as Schedule B; and
3. Corporate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory - attached as Schedule C.
Also attached to this report as Schedule D are comparative tables showing the change in corporate energy use as well as GHG emissions since 2012.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
To be refunded 100% of the carbon taxes paid, the Township must complete, submit to the Province, and make public the 2015 CARIP Report by June 1, 2016. The Township will also be recognized by the joint Provincial-UBCM Green Communities Committee as a “Climate Action Community” for achieving “Level 2 - Measurement” for completing the CARIP Report and measuring Corporate GHG Emissions.
The highest level of recognition would be “Level 3 - Achievement of Carbon Neutrality”. This option would have required the purchase of carbon offsets prior to June 1st. In 2014 the option of purchasing carbon offsets was reviewed and rejected by the Environmental Advisory Committee and Committee of the Whole.
2. Organizational Implications
The preparation and submission of all reporting under the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program is part of the Community Development Coordinator’s annual work plan. Municipal staff was consulted for the collection and verification of information as necessary. The Chief Financial Officer reviewed and signed off on all reports as required by the Province.
3. Financial Implications
By completing the 2015 CARIP Report the Township will be receiving a 2015 Carbon Tax Grant of $28,935 which will be deposited in the Sustainability Reserve Fund. As of December 31, 2015, the balance of the fund was at $196,123. The Sustainability Reserve Fund is used only to pay for initiatives that support sustainability by ideally reducing GHG emissions.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
There are no direct environmental implications associated with completing annual CARIP reporting. The reporting provides an opportunity for the Township to regularly review and update its progress on taking action to lower corporate and community-based energy use and GHG emissions.
In 2015 the Township did not achieve a reduction in its energy use and GHG emissions compared to the previous year; however, 2015 energy and GHG emission levels are lower than the first reporting year of 2012.
5. Communication & Engagement
A draft of the CARIP Report was distributed to select Directors for review and input. The final CARIP Report was submitted to the Province and posted as a news release to the Township’s website and Facebook page on May 25, 2016. The final CARIP Report was distributed to Directors for information.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council receive the 2015 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) Report for information.
2. That Council request further information from staff.