During the Feb. 11 District of 100 Mile House council meeting, councillors heard a report on the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) from District planner Joanne Doddridge.
CARIP is a conditional grant designed to offset the carbon tax paid by municipal governments that have onto the BC Climate Action Charter.
Doddridge’s report fulfilled the requirement for council to publicly report on the District’s plan to progress toward meeting its climate control action goals.
The District pays around $3,000 annually in carbon taxes, and the CARIP grant directly offsets that amount.
Following are some highlights of the District's community-wide actions for 2013:
• Official Community Plan targets, policies and actions. The overarching target: 20 per cent (%) by 2020; sector specific targets: 25% residential emissions, 15% commercial and institutional emissions, 20% transportation emissions, 20% increase proportion of residents walking/cycling to work; 50% solid waste-related emissions; policy targets related to agriculture, forestry environmentally sensitive areas and alternative energy.
• Explored solar hot water use in 2013, and present solar hot water options to administration this year.
• Planned for edible landscaping in 2013, implement edible landscaping on District boulevards this year.
• Using CARIP funds, partnered with the South Cariboo Sustainability Society (SCSS) to undertake the Idle Free 100 Mile campaign in 2013. In 2014, it will continue trail development to improve walkability and cycling options as alternatives to driving, as well as continued promotion of Idle Free 100 Mile.
• Liaised with the Cariboo Regional District on the Solid Waste Management Plan; partnered with the CRD on backyard composter sales to residents; and accepted the Multi-Material British Columbia incentive for curbside collection of recycling in 2013. This year, it will go embark on an education and implementation for curbside recycling.
• Conducted a study on efficient use of clean water, which will be reviewing the current water conservation plan with recommendations for implementation of water conservation strategies. In 2014, it will put together a five-year capital plan for the implementations coming out of the efficient use of clean water study.
• Completed the Aspen Street sidewalk project to connect Pioneer Have to the Coach House Square shopping centre. This year, the sidewalk improvements will continue.
• Completed the hazardous tree assessment survey; continued the Community Forest operation; and did woodlot planning for trail redevelopment and expansion. In 2014, it will implement recommendations from the tree assessment and implement woodlot trail upgrades.
District corporate actions 2013
• Council adopted a Corporate Carbon Neutral Plan and established a Green Team of staff members to spearhead initiatives, and will implement the plan recommendations and take Green Team actions in 2014.
• Explored bioenergy options used in Sweden.
• Created an idle reduction policy for District vehicles.
• Replaced the fire department rooftop heating and air conditioning unit. This year, there will be a renovation to the front and rear administration exits at the fire hall.
• Paper recycling was implemented in all municipal operations.
• In 2014, the District will purchase an all-electric truck for the public works fleet.