(File photo: CFJC Today).

By Stephanie Swensrude

CITY SUSTAINABILITY

City of Kamloops making progress on climate-related goals: report

Sep 20, 2022 | 4:19 PM

KAMLOOPS — Most short-term climate action items set out in the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) are in the works, according to a report that went before council on Tuesday (Sept. 20).

The City established 48 short-term action items in the CCAP. In the approximately 14 months since implementing the plan, staff have started working on nearly two-thirds of those items. The City has secured nearly $7 million for climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives since 2021.

The City wants to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2050. They aim to do this by making changes in eight categories, defined in the report as “big moves”:

• low carbon development
• car-light community
• zero-emissions transportation
• zero-carbon homes and buildings
• zero-waste/circular economy
• renewable energy
• municipal climate leadership
• healthy urban ecosystem

In August 2022, the City approved city-wide curbside organics collection, a move that they say could potentially divert approximately 6,000 tonnes of organic waste from landfill each year.

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Changes to the zoning bylaw are “nearing completion” — changes that would require all new builds to include electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The City also wants to make sure residents are prepared for natural disasters caused by climate change like floods and wildfires. The report says more than 100 FireSmart home assessments have been completed.

The City won an award during last week’s Union of BC Municipalities Convention in Whistler at the Climate and Energy Action Awards. Kamloops was presented with an honourable mention in community planning and development.

However, Josephine Howitt, the City’s Sustainability Program Coordinator, said there is more work to be done.

“While more dedicated work is needed to address climate change adaptation and resilience, the Community Climate Action Plan provides a clear pathway for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from municipal operations and the community more broadly,” said Howitt.

Some of the upcoming action items include the development of an incentive program for E-bike and cargo bike purchases, exploring a car-share program, and in the medium-term, identify rights-of-way for future light rail transit (LRT) use.