Climate Change and the Township of Langley

Background

The Township of Langley is commited to:

FCM’s Partners for Climate Protection Program, and;Province of BC’s Climate Action Charter.

Pledge to reduce corporate and community greenhouse gas emissions

What Have We Done?

For Township (corporate) operationsCompleted an emissions inventoryImplemented an emissions reduction plan with targetCompleted a 2007 status report for operations – submitted to the FCM

Micro Level Accomplishments

Increasing energy efficiency at facilities by green upgradesIncreasing fleet efficiency through participation in the Fraser Basin Council’s E3 Green FleetReducing corporate waste by providing employees more opportunities to recycle at work

What We’re Faced With

Continue reducing corporateemissionsInventory and plan to reduce community emissionsPromote energy efficient neighbourhoodsLegislation mandating carbon neutrality by 2012 (Fall 2008)

Main reasons Canadians do not behave sustainably?

Lack of government leadership 45%

Need to know more about solutions 43%

32%Poorly designed cities & workplaces

31%Feel unable to solve problems alone

26%Costs too much

5%Not really concerned

Provincial Leadership

Carbon smart communities will be promotedGreen Building Code soonNew provincial buildings LEED® Gold Carbon neutral operations by 2010Local governments will be mandated to incorporate GHG targets into OCP’s

Other Municipalities

City of Vancouver has built a sustainability team of 11 staffCorporation of Delta is moving towards an Office of Climate ProtectionCity of San Francisco (pop. 800,000) operates a team of 80

Vision for Langley

Sustainability Charter – well in progress; report to Council expected in MarchWork collaboratively on an energy plan designed to influence Langley citizens to be sustainability leaders.Provide the community with a robust web-based resource

Vision for Langley

Vision for Langley

Existing resources will be used to initiate the community GHG plan in 2008Additional resources may be needed to satisfy commitments to the province

Summary

Measures coming that will impact local government operationsMunicipalities are ramping upCanadians want government leadership, knowledgeUniquely the Township of Langley is in a position to influence sustainable behaviours; together with our residents and businesses we can reduce our

“environmental footprint”