Carbon Neutral Kootenays

Local Governments across the Kootenay region have signed the Climate Action Charter and are therefore committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2012.

Measuring, reporting, and offsetting greenhouse gas emissions are tasks which challenge small local governments with limited capacity. With this in mind, the three Chairs of the Regional Districts of East Kootenay, Kootenay Boundary, and Central Kootenay recognized that their organizations and their local municipalities could benefit from working together as a team.  This idea attracted the attention of Columbia Basin Trust which became a partner and leading voice for the project. 

Phase 1 of the project was focused on measurement. It involved measuring each of the participating Regional Districts' annual greenhouse gas emissions, and creating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plans based on those inventories. Phases 2 and 3 of the project are focused on action. Education opportunities and policy initiatives provided participating local governments with guidance on how to implement efficiency upgrades within their buildings, fleet, and infrastructure network. During these phases of the project, local municipalities have had the opportunity to benefit from the same measuring and planning activities that were available to the Regional Districts during Phase 1.

See the attached overview document for more details. 

RDCK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan

The RDCK has adopted a Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan to reduce energy consumption and emissions in its corporate operations. This plan is consistent with the Regional District’s voluntary commitment to the Climate Action Charter. As a signatory to the Charter, the RDCK is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2012.

Attached Document

Carbon Neutral Kootenay Projects (917.9 kB)