Work begins on GHG reduction plan for Squamish to reduce emissions by 45% by 2030

District is seeking volunteers to sit on Climate Leadership Team

A Community Climate Action Plan is under development by the District of Squamish to identify actions for Squamish with the goal to significantly reduce local greenhouse gas emissions. This is in support of the international effort to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. In order to achieve this goal, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates that emissions must be reduced by at least 45% from 2010 levels by 2030, reaching 'net zero' around 2050. The community is encouraged to participate in the development of the plan, expected to be complete by January 2020.  

Squamish joins 26 other communities across British Columbia and over 400 across Canada in pursuit of emergency climate action.  

“This plan will outline bold steps that our community can take to act on climate change now to create positive local and global impacts,” says District of Squamish Acting Mayor Jenna Stoner. “We acknowledge that the District of Squamish cannot do this alone. Government, industry and citizens must work together to rise to the challenge of global climate change and put us on a more positive course for future generations. As such, this is very much a community plan which we hope will inspire citizens to jump on board.” 

The Centre for Sustainability in Whistler and the Community Energy Association have been engaged to develop the plan which will include setting a baseline of where Squamish is today, developing an inventory of current emissions and setting targets that will support meeting the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal. A review of best practices and leading policies will help inform a set of actions to move Squamish towards the 2030 goal. 

Community input will be invited through a survey, public open house, a workshop with commercial, industrial and institutional stakeholders, and through participation on a volunteer Climate Leadership Team.  

Climate Leadership Team

The Climate Leadership Team will act as champions for the plan, advise staff on plan content, and act as plan ambassadors within their industry and peer groups. Approximately three meetings will be held between now and December. Applicants with expertise and passion for community-wide greenhouse gas reduction methods from buildings, transportation and industry, as well as an understanding of the Squamish community are invited to apply.

Visit Squamish.ca/climate-leadership for details.  The deadline to apply is September 29, 2019.

“Taking actions to reduce GHG emissions and energy usage is certainly important in the global context of climate change, but it is also critical in the local context for our community's resiliency. Lowering community GHG emissions translates to positive local effects such as healthier homes and lifestyles, reduced exposure to changes in energy prices, increased community connections and more local jobs,” continues Stoner. “This plan will aim to connect with every Squamish citizen in order to achieve wide-spread buy-in, for the benefit of us all.”

A community survey, additional details about the plan and a future open house will be shared over the coming weeks.

Project Page

Stay tuned to the project page and the District’s social media and weekly e-newsletter for updates as the project progresses.

View the IPCC Special Report can be viewed online.

September 17, 2019