REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGIES AND GREEN HOUSE GAS EMISSION REDUCTION
The Regional District of North Okanagan has signed on to the British Columbia Climate Action Charter along with the City of Armstrong, City of Enderby, Village of Lumby, Township of Spallumcheen, and City of Vernon. Local governments are required to set “targets for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and policies and actions of the local government with respect to achieving those targets.”
The Local Government (Green Communities) Amendment Act (also called Bill 27) requires local governments to include targets, policies and actions in their Official Community Plans by May 21, 2010 and in Regional Growth Strategies by May 31, 2011.
| “greenhouse gas” means any or all of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulphur hexafluoride and any other substance prescribed by regulation under the Local Government (Green Communities) Amendment Act. Greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, warming the earth's surface and contributing to climate change. |
In the “Frequently Asked Questions” prepared by Ministry of Community Development (June, 2008) the Province invites local governments to, “choose to set GHG emission reduction targets that parallel the Provincial government targets of a 33% reduction of GHG gas emissions by 2020 and 80% by 2050.” It goes on to state that “the Community Energy Emissions Inventory (CEEI) which will provide all local governments in BC with baseline community-wide energy and emissions information by the end of 2008.”
While Regional Growth Strategies have historically had many policies related directly and indirectly to Climate Change and GHG emissions, such as policies for conservation, air quality, water management, housing, transportation and agriculture, these have not addressed GHG reduction target or specific actions. As the Regional District of North Okanagan develops the Regional Growth Strategy, every policy and action recommendation must be examined and evaluated though the lens of Bill 27.
For more information on what Bill 27 means for Regional Growth Strategies, please refer to the Ministry of Community Development Green Communities website.
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