Climate Change + Greenhouse Gas Emissions Survey

In 2008 the Province of British Columbia passed Bill 27, the Local Government (Green Communities) Statutes Amendment Act, which established that Official Community Plans must include targets and actions for the reduction of   Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities   (FCM) has estimated that approximately 50% of GHG emissions can be influenced by decisions made by municipal governments. 

In 2015, Canada ratified the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement. This agreement is expected to strengthen the effort to limit the global average temperature rise to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. The agreement also aims to foster climate resilience and lower greenhouse gas development.

Canada ratified its long-term low greenhouse gas development strategy  to meet its obligations under the Paris agreement. This includes a net reduction of 80% of 2005 levels by 2050, which is consistent with the Paris Agreement’s temperature targets. This strategy notes that the International Energy Agency estimated that up to 38% of GHG reductions could be met though energy efficiency improvements. 

In setting GHG emissions targets, the City can set specific targets grounded in a recent Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) or establish an aspirational target. As an alternative to setting multi-year targets in this OCP, it is proposed that the City chooses an aspirational target consistent with the Paris Climate Agreement and then have a Community Energy and Emissions Plan update prepared to guide the City towards this target.

The following policy options could guide the City of Prince Rupert in its actions to mitigate and adapt to Climate Change. Please indicate if you agree or disagree with these policy options: