REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: November 12, 2019 Report No. DEV-19-108
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Tricia deMacedo, Planner 2 - Policy
SUBJECT:
Title
Climate Action Target Recommendations
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
1. That Council:
(1) endorse the proposed target to reduce corporate emissions by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 as recommended by the IPCC in order to immediately achieve Milestone Two of the Partners for Climate Protection five milestone framework.
(2) commit to Esquimalt becoming a 100% renewable energy community by 2050.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
BC Climate Action Charter
Official Community Plan Bylaw, 2018, No. 2922
Declaration of Climate Emergency
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Develop and implement strategies that reduce impact on the environment consistent with our Climate Action Charter goals and Operational Strategy to Create a Climate Action Plan.
BACKGROUND:
On October 22, 2019, the Committee of the Whole (COTW) discussed the proposed principles and process for the Township of Esquimalt Climate Action Planning Project as outlined in the Staff Report DEV-19-055 (Appendix A). The COTW passed the following motions:
That the Committee of the Whole recommend that Council endorse the proposed target to reduce corporate emissions by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 as recommended by the IPCC in order to immediately achieve Milestone 2 of the Partners for Climate Protection five milestone framework; and
That the COTW recommend that Council commit to Esquimalt becoming a 100% renewable energy community by 2050.
The purpose of this report is to obtain Council’s formal endorsement of the committee’s recommendation.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
The Committee of the Whole, having received Staff Report DEV-19-055 for information, recommends that Council endorse the proposed target of a 45% reduction in corporate emissions by 2030, which is in line with most other municipalities and is the recommendation from the International Panel on Climate Change. The Committee also recommends that Council commit to pursuing a 100% renewable energy goal to guide the strategies and actions that will be required as part of a community wide Climate Action Plan. More background for the recommendations can be found in the attached Staff Report from October, 2019 (Appendix A).
2. Organizational Implications
There are no organizational implications of these recommendations.
3. Financial Implications
There are no financial implications of these recommendations; however, implementation of actions required to achieve the reduction in energy use both within the corporation and in the wider community will require consideration in budget allocation. The impact of these is unknown at this time.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
Meeting the target of 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 10 years will require significant effort but will, in combination with other organizations and individual’s efforts, take us closer to achieving a 1.50C rise in global temperatures and avoiding some of the worst anticipated climate impacts.
5. Communication & Engagement
The development of a Climate Action Plan will require the Township to communicate and engage with the public on an ongoing basis regarding our climate targets and initiatives. These additional targets will be included in any public engagement process.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council:
(1) endorse the proposed target to reduce corporate emissions by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 as recommended by the IPCC in order to immediately achieve Milestone Two of the Partners for Climate Protection five milestone framework; and
(2) commit to, Esquimalt becoming a 100% renewable energy community by 2050.
2. That Council provide alternative direction to staff.