Expand each item to learn more about Kamloops' climate action plans and sustainability projects.
Upon becoming a BC Climate Action Charter signatory in 2007, the City pledged to significantly reduce both corporate and community-wide greenhouse gas emissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the City of Kamloops taking action on climate change?
In Kamloops, the likelihood of extreme weather events occurring, such as sudden downpours and large scale wildfires, is becoming more common under a changing climate.
Municipalities have influence on 60 percent of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions because of their jurisdiction over several important sectors that have large impacts on the climate, including land use, transportation, buildings, and waste management. City-level emissions reductions make significant contributions to addressing climate change.
The City has been a signatory to the BC Climate Action Charter since 2007 and has undertaken efforts to reduce GHG emissions from municipal operations. This plan will identify opportunities and actions to address community emissions.
In addition, the Province recently released its CleanBC Plan which includes actions to use energy more efficiently and prevent waste, with a target of 40% emission reductions below 2007 levels by 2030, and 80% by 2050. The Community Climate Action Plan will help the City to prepare for and support the Province’s climate action goals.
What are the benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our community?
Taking action on climate change at the community level can have many positive health, social and economic benefits, including:
Improved community health:
- better air quality from decreased congestion and energy use
- healthier lifestyles from facilitating active transportation choices
- improved social cohesion from smart land use and transportation infrastructure
Local economic development:
- job creation in green building, retrofits and energy assessments
- increased demand for energy efficient and renewable energy technologies
- energy savings or income generated re-spent in the local economy
Lower household expenses:
- energy efficient buildings and houses cost less to heat and cool
- reduced long term costs for owners or tenants as a result of energy efficiency retrofits and energy efficiency requirements for new builds
- reduced costs associated with vehicle ownership and use, from facilitating sustainable transportation options such as carpooling, car sharing, transit, cycling, and walking
Where do our emissions come from?
