AGENDA COUNCIL WORKSHOP. Monday, June 27, :00 p.m. Committee Room, Municipal Hall 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, BC

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1 AGENDA COUNCIL WORKSHOP Monday, June 27, :00 p.m. Committee Room, Municipal Hall 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, BC Council Members: Mayor Richard Walton Councillor Roger Bassam Councillor Robin Hicks Councillor Mike Little Councillor Doug MacKay-Dunn Councillor Lisa Muri Councillor Alan Nixon

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3 District of North Vancouver 355 West Queens Road North Vancouver, BC, Canada V7N 4N COUNCIL WORKSHOP 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 27, 2011 Committee Room, Municipal Hall 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver AGENDA 1. OPENING BY THE MAYOR 2. REPORTS FROM COUNCIL OR STAFF 2.1 Construction Bylaw Updates Presentation: Brian Bydwell, Director of Planning, Permits and Bylaws Material to be circulated via agenda addendum. 2.2 Corporate Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan p File No.: / ADJOURNMENT Report: Ken Bennett, Section Manager - Environment 3

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5 5 REPORTS

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7 COUNCIL AGENDA/INFORMATION CJ In Camera Dale: Item # CJ Regular Date: Item # LI Agenda Addendum Date: ttem# ~ Info Package Council Workshop DM# Dale, \llo.i~~ Mailbo~ ):j A 1 ~ De. Director Manager 2.2 J/ 11;;2 June 15, 2011 File: Tracking Number: RCA- The District of North Vancouver REPORT TO COUNCIL AUTHOR: SUBJECT: K. Bennett, Environmental Planning - Projects Manager Corporate Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan RECOMMENDATION: That Council approve in principle the preliminary directions for the Corporate Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan and the Carbon Neutral Strategy. REASON FOR REPORT: This report provides background for the Council workshop on June 27, 2011 regarding the Corporate Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan and Carbon Neutral Strategy. Feedback from Council on the proposed direction for this strategy is desired at this time. BACKGROUND: The District of North Vancouver is one of 179 B.C. Municipalities that have signed the B.C. Climate Action Charter. In doing so, DNV has pledged to become carbon neutral in its operations by the end of In early 2008, a review of energy use was conducted for all facilities (electrical and gas) and vehicles (fuel) within District operations to determine the baseline energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for The 2007 baseline corporate emissions data was presented to Council in October The 2008 data was updated and the new data and projections of GHG reductions were presented at the Council Workshop November 16, The emissions inventory is in the process of being updated again using 2010 data. ONV Corporate GHG Inventory The following diagram shows the sources of the 2008 DNV GHG emissions from operations. r - -~ w_ts-ace Corporate Waste 1~ 6% TOTAL Corporate GHG EMISSIONS: 4,780 tonnes (Recreation Commission Facilities 1,767 tonnes) 7 Document:

8 SUBJECT: Corporate Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan June 15,2011 Page 2 The diagram shows that the two largest sources for our GHG emissions are from buildings and fleet vehicles. This is due to natural gas being used for heating space and water in our buildings and diesel and gasoline for our vehicles. Further analysis shows that of the total corporate GHG emissions: 86% are from fossil fuels 55% from natural gas 24% from diesel 7% from gasoline B% is from electricity 6% is from corporate waste The Carbon tax In 2008, the Province introduced a carbon tax on all fossil fuels. The tax rate was set at the equivalent of $10 per tonne of CO 2 emitted and is projected to rise by $5 per tonne per year to $30 per tonne in It is currently at $20 per tonne and will rise on July 12011, to $25 per tonne. The Province, however, rebates the carbon tax back to each local government that signed the BC Climate Action Charter and reports on their progress to reduce emissions. The District received a $69,000 rebate for the carbon tax paid in EXISTING POLICY: The District is a signatory to the BC Climate Action Charter (2007). The proposed new Official Community Plan (OCP) includes a chapter on Climate Action with policies and targets for more complete, compact and efficient community development to guide energy and GHG reduction and climate change adaptation. Council has adopted the principles of The Natural Step into a policy statement that includes a desire to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. ANALYSIS: GHG Reduction Initiatives Building Retrofit Program The Building Retrofit Program recently approved by Council will make improvements to the efficiency of our building stock with the application of a comprehensive suite of technological changes to 55 buildings that will maximize energy and GHG reduction. )- The conservative estimate is for at least 10% energy savings and a reduction of tonnes of CO,_ Fleet Several fuel and GHG reduction and trip saving measures have been implemented for the District fleet including the purchase of a number of Smart cars and hybrids, trip planning via GPS and right sizing of vehicles for District business. Our fleet currently remains largely dependent on fossil fuels (Le. heavy duty trucks are diesel). Further increases in fuel efficiency. the exploration of electric vehicles and other technological advancements are anticipated in the future and will decrease our GHG emissions and provide significant cost savings as fossil fuel costs rise over time. )- A reduction of up to 10% fuel use is estimated by end of 2012 and will result in a reduction of 120 tonnes of carbon emissions. 8 Document:

9 SUBJECT: Corporate Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan June Page 3 Corporate Waste The District recycles a significant portion of the waste generated corporately. In addition, the staff -Green Team- recycles food related packaging and has initiated a compost program for organic materials. Staff continues to research ways to reduce packaging waste and is investigating the use of air dryers in washrooms to reduce paper towel use. A refined analysis of the waste and recycle streams is forthcoming» These efforts could achieve - 30% reduction resulting in an estimated reduction of lannes of CO, Overall, an estimated total of 520 lennes of CO 2 emissions will be reduced from the 2008 corporate inventory of 4780 loones, leaving lannes to be offset. Preliminary GHG Reduction Targets The DNV has a goal of becoming Carbon Neutral in its operations by the end of In order to move towards this goal, the DNV intends to first reduce its overall energy consumption by 15% prioritizing GHG reductions to achieve an overall GHG reduction of 10% (520 tonnes) by the end of A more long-term goal and stretch targets are to reduce by 2015: building energy use by 25% (retrofit and new buildings) fleet fuel use by 15% streetlight electrical use by 20% water/sewage pump electrical use by 10% corporate waste volume by 50% These measures would result in an overall GHG emissions reduction of 20% (-1000 tonnes). These reductions, however, will not achieve carbon neutrality. It is anticipated that 500 tonnes may be trimmed from our total emissions of tonnes by the end of 2012 leaving approximately 4300 tonnes that would need to be compensated or offset to reach neutrality. Provincial Directions and Tools for Carbon Neutrality The Provincial Climate Action Secretariat (CAS) and the Green Communities Committee (GCC) have been working over the past three years to develop a guidebook and framework to assist local governments with measuring, reporting and reducing GHG emissions. This document establishes the principles and definition of carbon neutrality and sets the parameters and limitations that local governments must follow in order to attain carbon neutrality. The initial drafts of the guidebook, -Becoming Carbon Neutral-, however, did not ofter much flexibility to municipalities for local projects that reduce GHGs to compensate for corporate emissions leaving few options other than buying offsets to achieve carbon neutrality. District Council, therefore, sponsored a resolution to 2010 UBCM convention requesting more flexibility for projects and consideration of a reserve fund to fund projects in the local community. Since that time, the Regional Engineers Advisory Committee, Climate Protection Subcommittee (REAC-CPS, of which K. Bennett is a member) has been providing feedback to the Province to improve the guidebook and attain more flexibility. The Province is now conducting a series of workshops throughout BC in June 2011 to gain feedback on the most recent draft of the guidebook. The REAC CPS attended and provided input at the recent workshop held in Metro Vancouver June 9, Document:

10 SUBJECT: Corporate Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan June Page 4 The Guidebook is complex and outlines four options for Local Governments to attain carbon neutrality. The following briefly describes the 4 options for Local Government. Further detail and options will be provided at the Council workshop. Option 1: Approved Projects This option provides local government with four types of projects that are preapproved by the Province as a means to compensate! offset for municipal corporate emissions. Projects include: Organic waste diversion Solar hot water installations Energy efficient building projects low emission vehicles With the exception of organic waste diversion projects, the REAC-CPS, has expressed concerns with the acceptability and viability of the above projects as they must be outside of the corporate operations and therefore are less likely to be implemented by a local government. Option 2: Projects This option provides for innovation and local governments may propose projects to compensate/ offset corporate GHG emissions to the Province. For example, consideration for land based carbon sequestration projects such as aforestation, would fall within Option 2. The requirements, restrictions and the cost to administer projects under options 1 & 2, however, are very challenging. The REAC-CPS is attempting to work with the Province to advance and improve options 1 & 2. Option 3: Buy Offsets Council may chose to buy carbon offsets from a verifiable offset-provider for the remaining tonnes of emissions in order to achieve carbon neutrality. It will likely be cheaper per tonne to buy offsets than trying to administer a project under Option 1 or 2. However, the money to buy offsets would leave the local community in this option. New Option 4: "Making Progress~ In response to the concerns expressed by local government and the District of North Vancouver sponsored 2010 UBCM resolution, the Province introduced this new option at a recent workshop attended by REAC~CPS. The details of this option have not been finalized, but offer a potential solution to the concerns expressed. The idea is that this would be a short term option while local governments continue to build capacity and reduce emissions in corporate operations. Local governments could establish a reserve fund for projects and/or offsets while continuing to measure, report, and compensate or offset corporate emissions as feasible. As well, municipalities would continue to report on community-wide actions and benefits regarding GHG emissions. Under this option, there would be no penalty for not achieving carbon neutrality by end The -Making Progress option would not mean achieving carbon neutrality, but it still demonstrates action and commitment in the spirit and goals of the Climate Action Charter. The REAC-CPS will work with the Province and the UBCM to develop this option further. Carbon Neutral Strategy (based on the 4 options above). Based on the current analysis and the preliminary Provincial Framework, staff feel an appropriate direction for the Corporate Carbon Neutral Strategy is to: Reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions within Corporate Operations by continuing to advance new measures 10 Document:

11 SUBJECT: Corporate Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan June 15,2011 Page 5 Compensate for remaining emissions by initiating projects in keeping with the Provincial Framework. (Options 1 &2), if feasible and appropriate. Establish a Reserve Fund with the carbon tax rebate to fund local projects to reduce GHG emissions or buy to offsets to advance towards carbon neutrality as appropriate. Consider Buying offsets at the end of 2012 for the remaining lonnes of carbon emissions by utilizing the Reserve Fund if Council wishes to be carbon neutral; or Council may chose not to buy offsets initially and continue to use the money for advancing measures to keep reducing emissions from corporate operations and lor fund projects. The following is brief summary of the work plan and next steps to prepare for the Corporate Energy and GHG Reduction Plan. Spring/Summer 2011 Continue to work with REAC-CPS and the Province on the Framework - The results of this process will be presented at the UBCM in September Update the corporate energy and GHG inventory Implement the Building Retrofit Program Fall 2011 Research alternative local projects to compensate for corporate GHG emissions Submit the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Report (CARIP) to the Province for the carbon tax rebate for 2011 Establish the reserve fund including a budget to consider offset costs, based on the 2011 GHG inventory Winter 2012 Propose alternate local projects - if feasible and appropriate Complete the "Corporate Energy & GHG Reduction Plan" Complete year-end energy & GHG inventory for 2011 Fall 2012 Undertake annual energy and GHG inventory for 2012 Submit CARIP report to Province for 2012 Confirm the corporate emissions reporting structure to the Province Consider the purchase of offsets Timing/Approval Process: Municipal carbon neutral strategies and reports are being developed and must be completed and submitted to the Province by the end of It is prudent to gain feedback on the preliminary directions from Council at this time. Concurrence: The Corporate Energy Manager and Engineering Department contributed to this report. Council has approved the Building Retrofit Program. Fleet management continues to improve the efficiency of the fleet operations and lower respective GHG emissions. Financial Impacts: The details and length of time Option 4: Making Progress may be offered is currently uncertain. At some point after 2012, perhaps by 2015, the District may need to purchase carbon offsets if it wishes to be carbon neutral at an estimated cost of up to $100,000. Should the carbon tax rebate continue to be provided, it would defray costs substantially. 11 Document:

12 SUBJECT: Corporate Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan June 15, 2011 Page 6 Liability/Risk: The Province has indicated that there will not be a penalty for not achieving carbon neutrality by the end of REAC-CPS and the UBCM will continue to develop the framework and details for Option 4. This will include consideration of how the carbon tax rebate could be applied and any liabilities that may arise. Social Policy Implications: The environmental benefits of climate action generally serve to enhance social well being. Environmental Impact: It is important to keep striving to reduce GHG emissions and sequester carbon. Global emissions must be reduced before the impacts of elevated CO 2 levels become critical to the ecology and economies of the world. Public Input: There was extensive public interest and input to the new OCP and the issues concerning climate change. Conclusion: This report provides an update on measures to reduce corporate GHG emissions in keeping with the District's participation in the Climate Action Charter and efforts to become carbon neutral in our operations by A preliminary strategy to continue to reduce energy and emissions; advance measures to compensatel offset emissions through approved and local projects; establish a reserve fund with the carbon tax rebate for local emission reduction projects and offset measures; and consider purchasing carbon offsets as appropriate is proposed. In the meantime Council may chose not be carbon neutral and exercise Option 4, "Making Progress in order to build capacity towards becoming carbon neutral at a future date. The details of this option will be determined by further work with the Province and the UBCM. Ken Bennett, Environmental Planning - Projects Manager ~DWlTH: stainable Community Development o Development Services o Utilities o Engineering Operations o Parks & Environment o Economic Development REVIEWED WITH: o Clerk's Office o Corporate Services o Communications a Finance o Fire Services o Human resources OilS o Solicitor OGIS REVIEWED WITH: External Agencies: o Library Board o NS Health o RCMP o Recreation CommisskMl o Other: REVIeweD WITH: Advisory Committees: ~ Document