Sustainability CharterPresentation to Council

March 2, 2009

Purpose of the Presentation

To update Council on:• The Sustainability Charter; and• The various related initiatives underway

Presentation Outline

1. Background and History2. Sustainability Charter

Development Process3. Sustainability Vision4. Sustainability Goals

and Objectives5. Implementation6. Corporate Actions7. Community Impacts

• Since 1990

Langley Tomorrow Program/Surveys

Corporate Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives

Socially, Economically and Environmentally balanced lifestyle

Background and History

• 2005: Towards Sustainability

• 2006: Sustainability by Design (SxD)

• 2007: Community Engagement

Sustainability Expert Panel

Sustainability Community Workshop

• 2008: Community Engagement

Sustainability Cafés

Sustainability Charter Development Process

Sustainability VisionTo build a legacy for future generations by leading and committing the community to a lifestyle that is socially, culturally, economically, and environmentally balanced.

Sustainability Goals

Sustainability Goals - Example

Implementation – action items1. Integrate initiatives, indicators, reports and surveys

2. Take advantage of Bill 27 (Green Communities)

3. Consider implementing a Sustainable Development Checklist in collaboration with Livability Accord partners

4. Mainstream Sustainability

5. Implement the FCM Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program and BC Climate Action Charter

6. Implement the Corporate GHG Emissions Reduction Plan

7. Start work on a Community Energy & Emissions Plan

Implementation – Integration1. Initiatives

• Climate Action Charter, Sustainable Region Initiative, Livability Accord

2. Indicators• International, National, Provincial• Local – Township and neighbourhood

3. Reports• Corporate Sustainability Reporting• Annual Corporate Report

4. Surveys• Community Development, Engineering, Finance, Parks and

Recreation, Protective Services

Implementation – Bill 27 (Green Communities)

• a new requirement for all local governments to set greenhouse gas emission targets and establish policies and actions to reduce emissions in their official community plans by May 31, 2010.

• enables local governments to alter or waive development cost charges for projects that result in low environmental impact - reduce energy and water consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• enables establishment of development permit areas for the purpose of promoting energy conservation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Implementation – Development Checklist

• collaborate with the development community (UDI) and Livability Accord partners to:

• develop a Sustainable Development Checklist that will be used to:• assess, encourage and evaluate development proposals that contribute

to achieving sustainability objectives

Implementation – MainstreamingUse the corporate website to:

• Provide a central source of sustainability information• Report sustainability targets and indicators• Share sustainability ideas• Inspire others to think and act in a sustainable manner

• In 2001, the Township committed to the FCM’s Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program

• Five Milestone framework assists Canadian municipalities in lowering corporate and community GHG emissions:– Milestone 1 – measure emissions– Milestone 2 – set emissions target– Milestone 3 – develop emissions reduction plan– Milestone 4 – implement plan– Milestone 5 – report progress

• Since joining the PCP program, several projects have advanced environmental sustainability in Langley

FCM Partners for Climate Protection Program

• In 2007, the Township signed the provincial Climate Action Charter

• Commitments:– Carbon neutral municipal operations by

2012– Energy-efficient neighbourhoods– Reporting corporate emissions

annually/publically to Climate Registry

• Makes the Township eligible for a carbon tax rebate through the (CARIP) meant to enable municipalities that have signed the charter to implement measures to reduce emissions.

BC Climate Action Charter

• The Township can expect its first rebate in the amount of $21,304 by March 31st

• This chart presents the Township’s projected annual carbon tax rebate through to 2012

Carbon Tax Rebate (CARIP)

Fuel Type

2008ConsumptionJul.1 toDec.31

2008$10/ tonne

2009$15/ tonne

2010$20/ tonne

2011$25/ tonne

2012$30/ tonne

Gasoline (litres) 193,028 $4,517 $13,975 $18,608 $23,279 $27,912Diesel (litres) 153,997 $4,143 $12,751 $17,001 $21,252 $25,502

Propane (litres) 18,484 $285 $850 $1,131 $1,416 $1,697Natural Gas(GJ's) 24,890 $12,360 $37,081 $49,441 $61,802 $74,660

$21,304 $64,658 $86,182 $107,749 $129,771CarbonTaxRefund

Corporate Emissions Inventory• In 2004, the Township released its corporate GHG inventory revealing that

the majority of corporate emissions result from its fleet and facility sectors

Waste9% Water/Sewage

4%

Streetlights2%

Vehicle Fleet27%

Buildings58%

Corporate GHG Emissions Reduction Plan• In 2006, the Township completed

its Corporate GHG Emissions Reduction Plan, with a target of decreasing corporate emissions by 10% below year 2000 levels by 2010

• one – our new environment, concept introduced to create a consistent image for climate protection efforts

• Since adoption of the plan, several actions have been taken to limit corporate emissions:

– New Civic Facility, Canada’s first LEED-CI Silver rated municipal building

– Plan to install a heat extraction system at the Aldergrove Water Treatment Plant reducing annual corporate emissions by up to 100 tonnes

– Fleet named BC’s first, Canada’s third, E3 Rated Fleet – E3 Silver

– Introduced Responsible aimed at expanding recycling and composting opportunities for staff, decreasing corporate solid waste

Corporate GHG Emissions Reduction Plan

• Satisfy the community component of the PCP program

• Satisfy the GHG targets and reduction measures requirements of Bill 27

• Build upon the results of the district heat pre-feasibility study expected to identify all renewable heat sources available in the community

• Chart a course of action for our entire community in moving towards deep emission reductions and greatly improved local air quality

Community Energy & Emissions Plan

• District heat study expected to identify sources of local, low-cost, renewable heat sources available for use by our community

• Created a partnership with BEST (Better Environmentally Sound Transportation) and their Mobility Matters program – April 2009 launch

• In 2008, we conducted a pilot project aimed at decreasing idling at five of our major rail crossings – resulted in 40% reduction– In February, NRCan informed the Township

that it has been chosen for a $105,000 ecoENERGY grant to conduct a similar anti-idling campaign throughout our entire municipality this summer

Community Impacts

End of Presentation

Questions?