REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: August 15, 2017 Report No. DEV-17-046
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Marlene Lagoa, Community Development Coordinator
SUBJECT:
Title
2016 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program Report
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council receive the 2016 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 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 2016 reporting year:
1. Carbon Tax Form - a comparative table from 2008-2016 is attached as Appendix A;
2. CARIP Public Report - attached as Appendix B; and
3. Corporate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory - attached as Appendix C.
Also attached to this report as Appendix 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, make public and submit its CARIP Report by June 1st each year. In addition to the refund, the Township will receive recognition by the joint Provincial-UBCM Green Communities Committee for being a “Climate Action Community”.
In 2016 the Green Communities Committee updated its Climate Action Recognition Program to recognize local governments who have demonstrated leadership beyond measuring their GHG emissions. The Township will move up from Level 2 ‘Measurement’ to Level 3 ‘Climate Action Community - Accelerating Progress’ for its Sustainability Reserve Fund and collection of household organic waste.
The highest level of recognition available is Level 4 ‘Achievement of Carbon Neutrality”. This option would have required the purchase of carbon offsets prior to June 1st. A table indicating which capital region member municipalities have achieved carbon neutrality is attached as Appendix E.
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. Staff were 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
The Township will be receiving a 2016 Carbon Tax Grant of $31,769 to be deposited in the Sustainability Reserve Fund. As of December 31, 2016 the balance of the fund was at $125,575. 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
There is no direct environmental implication associated with completing annual CARIP reporting. The reporting provides an opportunity to regularly review the Township’s progress on taking action to lower corporate and community-based energy use and GHG emissions.
In 2016 the Township did not achieve a reduction in its energy use and GHG emissions compared to the previous year; however, levels were lower than the first reporting year in 2012. A table showing 2012 vs. 2016 GHG emissions for capital region member municipalities is attached as Appendix E.
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 as well as Facebook in late May.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council receive the 2016 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) Report for information.
2. That Council request further information from staff.