Corporate Greenhouse Gas Inventory
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is a committed member of the BC Climate Action Charter. One of the commitments of the charter is to reduce corporate emissions -- the emissions generated by the RDOS while carrying out its mission. The end goal is to become carbon neutral. There are three steps to becoming carbon neutral. First the organization needs to accurately measure carbon emissions. Then the carbon emissions need to be significantly reduced. Finally, after reductions, the organization seeks out ways to neutralize any remaining emissions.
The first step in reducing carbon emissions is to accurately measure the RDOS corporate emissions. In 2022, the RDOS generated a total of 985 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Of these 168 tonnes were generated by the RDOS facilities and 254 tonnes by vehicles. 563 tonnes were generated from services contracted by the RDOS.
The RDOS is actively engaged in reducing its corporate emissions. In 2024 the RDOS replaced an HVAC rooftop unit at the 101 Martin Street location with a Dual-Fuel unit, an air-source heat pump backed up by a natural gas heater. The heat pump is a highly efficient source of heat and air conditioning and will reduce utility bills and carbon emissions. The RDOS is also reducing emissions from its vehicle fleet. Currently, the RDOS has an electric Ford E transit van and two Toyota hybrids. The RDOS is also working on a pilot initiative to provide electric vehicles for staff work-related travel. The RDOS has also conducted a fleet assessment to determine the best timeframe to transition the remaining vehicles to electric vehicles.
