Community Climate Action Plan
Figure 2, Greenhouse gas emissions from the Okanagan Similkameen region.
Climate change is a major challenge of our time and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is meeting it head-on. In 2011 the RDOS, in partnership with Keremeos, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton, Princeton and Summerland, developed a coordinated Community Climate Action Plan. The plan was created to provide guidance on future decisions -- reducing community energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The plan covers current emissions and the consequences of carrying on with business as usual. In 2007 the RDOS area emitted 598,107 tonnes of CO2e -- 7.5 tonnes per person. The largest source of greenhouse gases within the RDOS is transportation, including both personal and commercial vehicles. The plan then lays out eight strategies for reducing greenhouse gases. These strategies include:
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Higher energy efficiency standards for new homes and commercial buildings
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Energy efficiency retrofits for existing buildings
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Use of alternative energy
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Energy efficient development -- where and how to build
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Improve alternative transportation
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Efficient vehicle use
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Diverting solid waste from landfills
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Handling of agricultural wastes
Each strategy leads to key actions to be implemented in the short term. Taking actions on these strategies is expected to reduce the RDOS region greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2023 and 35% by 2030, compared to a 2007 baseline. The success of the Community Climate Action Plan will be monitored by indicators including population in core areas, housing diversity and passenger vehicle travel. The coordinated Community Climate Action Plan allows the RDOS and its partners to make a strong start on a journey to a low carbon future.
