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City Awarded "Green Communities" Designation

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed August 26, 2014 12:15 PM

Summary

For the second year in a row, the City of Nanaimo has been recognized by the joint Provincial-Union of BC Municipalities Green Communities Committee as a BC Climate Action Community. This recognition marks the City's achievement of Level Two in the Climate Action Recognition Program, the second of three levels.

The recognition follows the City’s successful completion of a Corporate Greenhouse Gas Inventory and a report outlining current climate action revenue incentive programs through 2013. The City was also required to demonstrate familiarity with the Community Energy and Emissions Inventory which shows energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from community-wide activities in road transportation, buildings and solid waste.

Link to Strategic Plan: The City of Nanaimo's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions supports the Environmental Responsibility priority in the 2012-2015 Corporate Strategic Plan.

Key Points

  • Significant progress was made in reducing corporate emissions in 2013 through a number of actions including lighting upgrades; upgrades to the the Beban pool pumps; and taking advantage of the City’s gravity fed water supply to generate electricity at the new Reservoir #1 facility.
  • As a signatory to the Climate Action Charter since October 2008, the City has demonstrated its commitment to work with the Province and Union of BC Municipalities to take action on climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in municipal operations and the community.
  • In 2013, the City produced 3,161 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions with 65% of emissions coming from powering, heating and cooling municipal buildings; 29% coming from the municipal fleet; and 6% from City contracted services.

Quotes

"Like all communities across Canada, the City of Nanaimo must find suitable and cost effective ways to support efforts at reducing greenhouse gases. This acknowledgement provides positive feedback that the steps taken to date are on track."

John Ruttan
Mayor
City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

  • To achieve Level Two designation, the City was required to demonstrate familiarity with the Community Energy and Emissions Inventory (CEEI). The CEEI for the City shows energy consumption and greenhouse emissions from community-wide activities in road transportation, buildings and solid waste.
  • The three levels of the Climate Action Charter are: Level 1 Progress on Charter Commitments; Level 2 Measurement; and Level 3 Achievement of Carbon Neutrality.
  • The Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program is a conditional grant program that provides funding to Charter signatories equivalent to 100 percent of the carbon taxes they paid directly.
  • The 2013 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program grant was $126,427.49 and was deposited in the City’s Sustainability Reserve Fund to help fund future projects aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions in City facilities.
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Contact:

Rob Lawrance
Environmental Planner
City of Nanaimo
250-755-7582

Print News Release

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