The City of Courtenay has been recognized for its work on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Green Communities Committee (GCC) has awarded Courtenay a Level 3 status on its work for keeping to Climate Action Charter commitments.
Courtenay signed the charter in 2007, which is a voluntary agreement between the province, Provincial-Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM), and local governments to take action on climate change.
Mayor Bob Wells says the city continues to take steps to help reduce its impact.
“Courtenay has been making steady progress on a number of fronts to mitigate the impacts of climate change, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and we’re pleased to receive this recognition in response,” said Wells.
Some of those initiatives include the initiation of the Urban Forest Strategy, the Transportation Master Plan, and the Integrated Rainwater Management Plan.
The city says it also has launched a large-scale effort to convert street and parking lot lighting to more efficient LEDs, continued energy-efficient upgrades to heating and lighting systems in city facilities, planted over 400 trees on public lands, and launched educational efforts to increase recycling and reduce materials headed to the landfill through the new Courtenay Collects curbside waste app.
The City of Courtenay also formally declared a climate crisis this year, requesting support from both the provincial and federal governments.
The Climate Action Charter Recognition Program includes four stages for communities to follow.
Level 1: Demonstrating Progress on Charter Commitments
Level 2: Measuring GHG Emissions
Level 3: Accelerating Progress on Charter Commitments
Level 4: Achievement of Carbon Neutrality
