An Integrated Regional Climate Action Strategy SUSTAINABILITY BREAKFAST Tom Lancaster DIVISION MANAGER, PLANNING & ANALYTICS, REGIONAL PLANNING April 13, 2016
Presentation Overview Introducing: GHGs & Climate Change Metro Vancouver The Climate Action Imperative Why Now? Current Climate Actions in Metro Vancouver Integrating Regional Climate Action 2
Greenhouse Effect & Global Climate Change 3
Global Temperature Trends
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) sources Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Methane (CH 4 ) Nitrous Oxide (N 2 O) Other Pollutants
Metro Vancouver 21 municipalities one Electoral Area and one Treaty First Nation working together for a livable region 6
Regional Services & Management Plans Supplemental Plans 7
Metro Vancouver Community GHG Emissions 15 Million Tonnes GHGs Annual Total
The Climate Action Imperative 9
2015 Source: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/201513 10
Impacts of Climate Change Why 2 o C? In order to stay below 2 C a 70%-80% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050 is required Change in Mean Global Temperature Above Preindustrial Levels 0 C 1 C 2 C 3 C 4 C 5 C Falling Crop Yields Small mountain glaciers disappear Sea level rise threatens major cities Significant water shortages in Mediterranean and Southern Africa Extensive Damage to Coral Reefs Rising number of species face extinction Rising intensity of storms, forest fires, flooding and heat waves Increased risk of dangerous feedback loops
We have already experienced 1 o C warming. Some consequences of climate change are unavoidable. 12
Climate Change Projections Different scenarios of how we will reduce GHG emissions Variability within each scenario 15
Summer days (T > 25 C) Number of days per year 100 80 60 40 20 0 Past 2050s 2080s 16
Seasonal precipitation changes Precipitation (mm) 1000 800 Past 2050s 2080s 600 400 200 0 Fall Winter Spring Summer 18
Projected Sea level rise 21
Future Climate Change Impacts in Metro Vancouver Hotter, drier summers Warmer, Wetter winters More extreme heat and precipitation events Minimum 1 meter sea level rise by 2100 Changes in local species and ecosystems
Why now? Record Amount of Greenhouse Gases 23
Why now? Record Breaking Global Temperatures 24
Why now? Accelerating Impacts 25
Why now? Changing Vital Ecosystems 26
Why now? Impacted Food Systems 27
Why now? Our role and opportunity Drive Innovation 28
Why now? Our role and opportunity Support Local Economies 29
Why now? Our role and opportunity Reduce Risks to Our Communities 30
Why now? Our role and opportunity Improve Quality of Life 31
Why now? Our role and opportunity Local Government Leadership 32
Board Strategic Direction Incorporate strategies and actions into all Metro Vancouver functions to mitigate and adapt to climate change 33
Board Strategic Direction Develop, adopt and implement a regional climate action strategy for reducing regional greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change 34
National and International Responses 35
Current Climate Action in Metro Vancouver 36
Waste Business Energy Recovery Growth Management and Transportation Vehicles Buildings Resiliency and Adaptation Climate Action In Metro Vancouver
Climate Action 2x2 Corporate Climate Change Mitigation Energy Management and GHG reduction for Metro Vancouver s operations, assets, and staff Climate Change Adaptation Preparing Metro Vancouver s operations, assets, and staff for the impacts of a changing climate Regional Programs, policies and regulations that help businesses, residents, and others reduce GHG emissions Regional planning and coordination to assist residents, businesses, municipalities prepare for the impacts of a changing climate 38
Corporate Adaptation 39
Corporate Adaptation Example: Preparing Metro Vancouver Assets for Climate Impacts 40
Planning for the Impacts of climate change 41
Planning for the Impacts of climate change 42
Metro Vancouver Waste Water Treatment Plants 43
Climate Action 2x2 Corporate Climate Change Mitigation Energy Management and GHG reduction for Metro Vancouver s operations, assets, and staff Climate Change Adaptation Preparing Metro Vancouver s operations, assets, and staff for the impacts of a changing climate Regional Programs, policies and regulations that help businesses, residents, and others reduce GHG emissions Regional planning and coordination to assist residents, businesses, municipalities prepare for the impacts of a changing climate 44
Regional Adaptation 45
Regional Coordination 46
Adaptation Efforts Emergency Management Working Group (IPREM) Flood Management Working Group (Joint Program Committee on Flood Hazard Management) Comprehensive Regional Water System Plan 47
Adaptation Efforts (continued) Regional Climate Change Projections Coordinating Efforts, Facilitation, Resource-Sharing, Intergovernmental Liaison 48
Integrating Regional Climate Actions 49
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