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.
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, hospitals and other public sector institutions are working to become carbon neutral by 2010, and the municipalities in the CRD have answered the challenge to become carbon neutral by 2012!
Here at the CRD, we’ve realized that significant work needs to be done at the local level in order to reduce and respond to climate change. Many of the services the CRD delivers contribute to or will be significantly impacted by changes in precipitation patterns, sea level rise, and shifts in seasonal temperature.
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!
At Home
At least 36 percent of the energy used in the CRD is consumed in our homes. This accounts for over 23 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the CRD. Making your home more energy efficient can make a difference to the environment and your energy bills.
Read more 
At Work
British Columbia's Climate Action Plan supports innovation and small business growth in a green economy. Choose to go green with your business and your building and become eligible for up to $50,000 in grants and rebates. Read more
At School
The Ministry of Environment’s YCLA has hired ten Climate Action Facilitators to work out of local governments throughout the province to support young people ages 5-28 in learning about and responding to the challenge of climate change. Read more
On the Road
Don't be a dirty driver. That's the message of ICBC's new campaign to help drivers save money, protect the environment and be smarter on the road. Read more
Government Action on Climate Change
We're taking climate change seriously, have a look at our projects and initiatives.
Read more
The Challenge
The major challenge is to change the way we consume energy in our homes, our work places, schools and on the road. 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.
You don’t need to sell your car, but maybe you can leave it at home one day a week and ride your bike instead. Just setting the thermostat back from 21° C to 16° C at night can result in energy savings of up to 10 percent!
Join the movement towards sustainability and make the Capital Region the cleanest, greenest, healthiest city in the world. Each one of us can make a difference, but we simply need to take that first step.
So, try making small changes, One Day at a time.