North Cowichan is seeking community feedback to help shape its updated Climate Action and Energy Plan.
Through an online survey, residents will be asked to rank which actions North Cowichan should prioritize to reduce emissions and reach its reduction targets within the community.
The CAEP was originally implemented in 2013 and identified opportunities to reduce energy consumption and emissions through community actions, policy, and other municipal mechanisms.
In 2018, North Cowichan received a $78,000 grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Municipalities Climate Action and Energy Reserve Fund to update this plan.
Once updated, it will include actions taken to date to reduce emissions and recent changes in technology.
It will also ensure the municipality’s emissions accounting framework aligns with new global standards.
Work on this project began in late 2019 with municipal staff and the Sustainability Solutions Group modelling where North Cowichan’s community emissions are currently coming from, and forecasting how they could be changed or reduced in the future.
Upon completing this exercise, a first round of community engagement was carried out and feedback was incorporated to refine the modelling.
A summary of this engagement exercise, and other project resources can be found on the municipality’s website.
“I am looking forward to receiving and considering valuable, informed input from residents on which actions they feel the municipality should be prioritizing in the short and long-term to reduce emissions in our community,” said Mayor Al Siebring.
“This feedback will help shape the implementation strategy for the updated CAEP. I am also excited to have the newly re-instated environmental advisory committee up and running to provide their knowledge and expertise on this project. Council is equally excited, and looking forward to receiving this later round of input.”
For more information on this project and the different ways you can participate in the survey or provide feedback, visit www.northcowichan.ca/CAEP.
The survey will be open until 9 a.m. on Feb. 24.