CLIMATE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

CLIMATE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

OCP ADVISORY COMMITTEE PRESENTATION – JUNE 23, 2021

ALI RIVERS, CLIMATE ACTION & NATURAL ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN REVIEW

THE PLAN FOR TODAY

Our Task

How can we integrate low-carbon resilience and environmental stewardship into the OCP to achieve our community vision and strengthen community resilience & equity in the face of a changing climate?

“Meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs and quality of life of future generations.”

Our Agenda

• Climate impacts, risks & opportunities in Central Saanich

• Overview of priorities, plans & targets

• Local Government Act context

• Low carbon resilience

• Current OCP areas & next OCP ideas

IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON CENTRAL SAANICH

CLIMATE RISKS TO CONSIDER IN THE OCP

CLIMATE OPPORTUNITIES TO CONSIDER IN THE OCP

Protecting our sense of place & unique ecosystems

for the health of human & non-human beings

CLIMATE OPPORTUNITIES TO CONSIDER IN THE OCP

Local, circular & eco-resilient jobs & systems that

reduce risk and create opportunity

CLIMATE OPPORTUNITIES TO CONSIDER IN THE OCP

Affordable & equitable community with strong connections

WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF A CLIMATE OR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OR INITIATIVE

THAT HAS INSPIRED YOU?

WHAT MADE IT UNIQUE?

PLANS & STRATEGIC PRIORITIES RELEVANT TO CLIMATE

Residential Buildings 10%

Commercial Buildings

10%

Transportation 66%

Waste 4%

Other 10%

CLIMATE LEADERSHIP PLAN – WHAT’S NEEDED

Metric Today By 2030 By 2050

Community GHG emissions

(relative to 2007)

↓ 8.2%

(73,995 tCO₂e)

↓ ~50%

(40,324 tCO₂e)

↓100%

(0 tCO₂e)

Renewable energy share 30% ~50% 100%

Trips by active transport 14% ~20% 50%

Zero emission vehicles 1.4% ~25% 100%

Vehicles 86%

Transit 6%

Walking 4%

Biking 2%

Other 2%

An OCP may designate Development Permit Areas for the following purposes:

• Establishment of objectives to promote energy conservation

• Establishment of objectives to promote water conservation

• Establishment of objectives to promote the reduction of GHG emissions

Section 488(1):

Section 473(3):

“An official community plan must include targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the area covered by the plan, and policies and actions of the local government proposed with respect to achieving those targets.”

CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS & REGULATIONS FOR OCP ^S :

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT

Address the Causes and Impacts of Climate Change

The 2008 OCP was the first to explicitly acknowledge sustainability and climate change, state the causes of

climate change, and outline impacts to the region (Section 2.6.6)

Protect & Enhance Environment, Biodiversity &

Natural Ecosystems

Create Walkable Neighbourhoods

Protect Water Quantity and Quality

CLIMATE AND THE CURRENT OCP

LOW CARBON RESILIENCE: MITIGATION + ADAPTATION

• Compact, complete communities to encourage active transport/transit

• Use of DPs for water & energy conservation and GHG reduction

• Application of the BC Step Code for energy-efficient buildings

• Infill & Densification Plan to protect agricultural, rural & open lands

• Saanichton Village Design Plan, EV-Ready requirements, PACE Pilot

Growth &

Housing

Economic Development

• Local jobs (70% residents work outside District = transportation GHGs)

• Keating light industrial area business plan

• Neighbourhood commercial areas to encourage active transport

• Require new businesses to address climate change and CSR

• Limited, environmentally-sensitive marine-based development

OCP & CLIMATE: WHERE WE ARE + WHERE WE GO

What has changed in the last 10 years?

What is the ideal scenario in 2030?

What can we do in the District?

Electricity 9%

Natural Gas 69%

Fuel Oil 8%

Propane 1%

Wood

1% Diesel 12%

Agriculture &

Rural Lands

• Local food systems support climate resilience & environmental health

• Buffer strips may be required between ALR and new developments

• Encourage community farmland trusts

• Encourage/support resource conservation on agricultural lands

Heritage &

Community

• Notes the cultural and spiritual connection of Tsartlip and Tsawout communities to the lands and waters of the peninsula

• Encourages recognition/protection of heritage buildings & trees

• Restoration of Newman Farm

OCP & CLIMATE: WHERE WE ARE + WHERE WE GO

What has changed in the last 10 years?

What is the ideal scenario in 2030?

What can we do in the District?

What can we advocate for?

• Aim to protect & enhance native ecosystems and watersheds

• Application of Integrated Stormwater Management Plan

• Regulation of non-farm pesticides, light & noise pollution

• Restricts marine-based housing and foreshore aquaculture

• Identifies sensitive land/water areas (Map 6) + environments (Map 7)

• Tree Bylaw update (2021)

• CRD Regional Green/Blue Spaces Strategy complements OCP

Environment Parks, Recreation &

Open Space

• Links parks & ecosystems to conservation, C-sequestration & resilience

• Native landscaping: decrease water use, enhance habitat, increase C-seq

• Network of connected parks and open spaces for biodiversity corridors

• Multi-modal roads & trails; priority for AT routes to schools, parks, cores

OCP & CLIMATE: WHERE WE ARE + WHERE WE GO

What has changed in the last 10 years?

What is the ideal scenario in 2030?

What can we do in the District?

What can we advocate for?

Transportation

• Link between sprawl, vehicle use, climate change & community health

• Compact, mixed-use, neighbourhood-level commercial communities

• Endorses the Pedestrian Charter and prioritizes pedestrian transport

• New developments should demonstrate support for AT and transit

• Active Transportation Plan, EV & E-Bike Strategy, EV Ready Req’s

Vehicle s 86%

Transit 6%

Walkin g 4%

Biking 2%

Other 2%

What has changed in the last 10 years? What is the ideal scenario in 2030?

What can we do in the District? What can we advocate for?

OCP & CLIMATE: WHERE WE ARE + WHERE WE GO

THANK YOU!