REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: August 20, 2018 Report No. DEV-18-041
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Tricia deMacedo, Planner/ Bill Brown, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT:
Title
2017 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program Report.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council receive the 2017 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program Report for information.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
OCP: To continue to take action on stabilizing GHG concentrations in the atmosphere by reducing emissions.
Continue as a signatory to the Climate Action Charter and continue to make progress towards corporate carbon neutrality.
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
This request for decision does not relate directly to 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 local government signatories equivalent to 100% of the carbon taxes paid by that local government (Carbon Tax Grant). In order to receive the grant, signatories must report annually on their progress toward meeting their climate action goals.
The Township has completed the reporting requirements for the CARIP program and the results are attached to this report.
1. Schedule A: Carbon Tax Grant comparison 2012-2017.
2. Schedule B: 2017 CARIP Public Report
3. Schedule C: Corporate Energy Use and Emissions 2012-2017.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
The 2017 CARIP Public Report is published by June 1 each year. The Township’s report contains information about the initiatives that will help reduce both the corporate and community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In addition, it contains a summary of the corporate emissions and an assessment of our progress towards carbon neutrality.
2. Organizational Implications
Development Services is responsible for reporting under the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program with assistance from Financial Services. Directors were consulted for the collection of information to complete the survey. The Chief Financial Officer reviewed and signed off on reports and forms as required by the Province.
3. Financial Implications
The Township will be receiving a 2017 Carbon Tax Grant of $36,642 to be deposited in the Sustainability Reserve Fund. As of December 31, 2017 this fund had a balance of $174,101. The Sustainability Reserve Fund is used to pay for initiatives that move the Township towards meeting its Climate Action Charter commitments.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
The Carbon Tax Grant enables the Township to increase the Sustainability Reserve Fund. This account is used to fund projects which reduce either corporate or community GHG emissions. An example of a project that was funded in 2017 from this reserve is the Street Light Head Replacement Program.
5. Communication & Engagement
A draft of the CARIP report was distributed to Directors for review and input. The final CARIP report was submitted to the Province, and posted along with a news release to the Township’s website on May 31, 2017.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council receive the 2017 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) Report for information
2. That Council request further information from staff.