2013 CLIMATE ACTION REVENUE INCENTIVE PROGRAM REPORT AND 2012 CARIP REPORT FOLLOWUP

Planning & Development Report

TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: February 6, 2014 FROM: Jeff Chow, MCIP, RPP, Senior Planner MEETING DATE: February 11, 2014 FILE NO: 1855-03-11450 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program 2014

2013 CLIMATE ACTION REVENUE INCENTIVE PROGRAM REPORT AND 2012 CARIP REPORT FOLLOWUP

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the February 6, 2014 report from the Senior Planner titled "2013 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program Report and 2012 CARIP Report Followup" be received.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER'S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendations.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE'S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendations.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICE'S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendations.

PURPOSE OF REPORT

1. To follow up the 2012 CARIP Report regarding the purchase of carbon offsets
2. To present the 2013 Carbon Tax Calculation Form
3. To present the Interim 2013 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program Public report

BACKGROUND

Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) The Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) is a conditional grant program that returns one hundred percent of the carbon tax paid by the Town for fuel purchases. To be eligible for the CARIP grant, local governments must:

A. Sign on to the BC Climate Action Charter and by doing so commit to take action and develop strategies to achieve the following three goals:

1. Being carbon neutral in their corporate operations by 2012
2. Measure and report on their community Green House Gas (GHG emission) profile
3. Create complete, compact, energy efficient rural and urban communities

B. Report publicly on their plan and progress towards meeting their climate action goals.

The process involves the following deadlines:

DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS

The key issues are:

1. Follow up from 2012 CARIP report
2. 2013 Carbon Tax Calculation Form
3. Interim 2013 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program report

1. 2012 followup At the June 11, 2013 Committee of the Whole meeting, staff was directed to report on options for the purchase offsets for Green House Gas Emissions from 2012 municipal operations to be officially carbon neutral. The Province accepted "making progress towards carbon neutrality" as an alternative to being fully carbon neutral in operations for 2012. Most of the other CRD municipalities took this approach. The $2386.40 paid by the Town for carbon taxes in 2012 was received into general revenue and no further action is necessary.

2. 2013 Carbon Tax Calculation Form The Carbon Tax Calculation Form summarizing carbon taxes paid by the Town for fuel purchases in 2013 is attached as Attachment 1. The total amount paid was $1940.97.

3. Interim 2013 CARIP Public Report The Interim 2013 CARIP Public Report is attached as Attachment 2. It summarizes the community and corporate wide actions taken in the progress towards carbon neutrality and proposed actions for 2014. After it is formally presented to Council at an upcoming meeting the report will be published and submitted to the Province.

Staff is preparing the Final 2013 CARIP Public Report for a future Committee of the Whole meeting prior to publication and submission to the Province by June 2, 2014. The final report will include calculations of carbon emissions for Town operations and options for achieving carbon neutrality.

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the February 6, 2014 report from the Senior Planner titled "2013 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program Report and 2012 CARIP Report Followup" be received.

SUBMITTED BY: Jeff Chow, MCIP, RPP, Senior Planner

REVIEWED BY: Jeannie Beauchamp, CGA, Director of Finance Lindsay Chase, MCIP, RPP, Director of Development Services

ATTACHMENTS

1. 2013 Carbon Tax Calculation Form
2. Interim 2013 CARIP Public Report