About Climate Change
We’ve all seen signs that our climate is changing – from increasingly erratic storms, droughts, floods and fires, to the mountain pine beetle epidemic. The threat of significant social, environmental and economic instability has become reality.
Increasingly, we are realizing that climate change is the most pressing issue of our time: everyone contributes to it, and everyone will be impacted by it. There is a consensus at all levels of government that we need to take action now to reduce emissions and dramatically change the way we do business.
Climate Change in the Capital Region
Climate change is a complex, multi-year challenge for our region. It is a wake-up call to a system in decline, and the future of the Capital Region – our economic structures, government policies, and culture – will be determined by how we deal with this challenge. Addressing climate change means fundamentally re-thinking many of the big questions of civilization: where we live, how we move, what we eat, what really makes us happy. Read more 
The Regional Context
British Columbia has taken the lead by setting targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. Schools, universities, colleges, hospitals and other public sector institutions are working to become carbon neutral by 2010. The 13 municipalities and 3 electoral areas in the CRD have answered the challenge to become carbon neutral by 2012! Read more
CRD Climate Action Program
The CRD’s Climate Action Program (CAP) acts as a regional hub and facilitator on climate change issues. We work with local governments, non-profit societies, public institutions and the private sector to help reduce emissions today and plan for climates of tomorrow.
The CRD has a long history of facilitating action and inspiring change to reduce emissions including:
- Developing the Capital Region Community Energy Plan (PDF
) - Approving the Climate Change Corporate Action Plan (PDF )
- Joining with the 13 municipalities in signing the Climate Action Charter (PDF )
The CAP works directly with staff and elected officials from local governments across the region to support the development and implementation of both community-wide and corporate climate action plans.
Take Action!
The major challenge is to change the way we consume energy at home, at work, and at school. Seem impossible? It’s not. There are many small steps that may seem insignificant on their own, but cumulatively add up to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Join the movement towards sustainability and make the Capital Region the cleanest, greenest, healthiest city in the world.