Letter from Colin Plant, CRD Board Re: CLIMATE EMERGENCY DECLARATION

CLIMATE EMERGENCY DECLARATION

At its February 13, 2019 meeting, the Capital Regional District (CRD) Board unanimously passed a motion to declare a climate emergency and assume a leadership role to work towards achieving carbon neutrality in the region by 2030. The Board also acknowledged that efforts to accelerate climate adaptation efforts are imperative.

To show a cohesive voice and further support a regional collaborative approach to climate action, the CRD Board is asking that all local governments within the capital region declare a climate emergency and work towards achieving carbon neutrality in their municipalities and electoral areas by 2030.

An October 2018 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change noted that limiting global emissions to 1.5ºC is required to avoid catastrophic impacts and is possible with ambitious action from all parts of society, including local governments. The CRD acknowledges the leadership and actions within the region to date, but that local governments need to continue to inform, influence and lead accelerate climate action efforts.

In response to the Board’s declaration, the CRD:

• has embedded the declaration and leadership intentions to greatly accelerate greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the 2019-2022 CRD Board strategic priorities;
• submitted a proposal to the $1 million Pacific Institute Climate Solutions Theme Partnership Program to better understand how to achieve regional carbon neutrality by 2030;
• is in the process of advocating to the federal and provincial governments to assert the CRD’s support for accelerated climate action and asking for additional support for the region and its local governments; and
• is considering immediate opportunities within existing services.

Using the Board priorities as a guide, the CRD will now develop a corporate plan that will inform individual service and budget plans for the next four years (including forthcoming strategies related to the climate emergency declaration).

Elected officials participating on the CRD Climate Action Inter-Municipal Task Force, and staff on the CRD Climate Action Inter-Municipal Working Group, will discuss the climate emergency declaration, opportunities and next steps in further detail at their upcoming meetings. The CRD Climate Action Program will continue to work with municipalities and electoral areas to support regional collaboration on climate action.

The CRD appreciates your consideration and continued leadership on climate action.

Sincerely,

Colin Plant Chair, Capital Regional District Board

cc: CRD Board Robert Lapham, Chief Administrative Officer, CRD Larisa Hutcheson, General Manager, Parks & Environmental Services, CRD Glenn Harris, Senior Manager, Environmental Protection, CRD