Okanagan Climate Indicators Dashboard

The Okanagan Basin Water Board has launched the “Okanagan Climate Indicators Dashboard,” a tool to track climate changes in the valley over the past 100 years. This dashboard aims to inform policymakers and residents about temperature, precipitation, streamflow, and lake inflow changes, encouraging steps towards a more climate-resilient region.

Key points highlighted include:

  • A consistent shift to a warmer and drier climate over the last 30 years.
  • The importance of understanding these changes for water management, agriculture, and ecosystem needs.
  • The dashboard provides valuable data to help farmers, local governments, and residents adapt to climate changes.
  • The tool also offers resources for residents, educators, and local governments to prepare for the changing climate.

BC Energy Step Code and Zero Carbon Step Code

A Best Practices Guide for Local Governments

British Columbia has set ambitious objectives to combat climate change in the construction sector. The province aims for all newly constructed buildings to have zero operational carbon emissions by 2030 and for all new structures to be ready for net-zero energy by 2032. The BC Energy Step Code and the Zero Carbon Step Code are instrumental in reaching these targets. Over the next ten years, the province will methodically integrate these step codes into the foundational BC Building Code, with transitional requirements anticipated in 2024, 2027, and 2030.

The updated BC Step Code Best Practices Guide for Local Governments is a comprehensive revision of the initial 2018 version. This guide has been enriched by contributions from key stakeholders in the building industry, including industry professionals, municipal authorities, utility companies, and housing agencies. It provides fresh insights on the Zero Carbon Step Code and refined best practices derived from extensive practical experience. Nevertheless, the core principles established by the Step Code Council during its initial launch remain relevant: providing early notification, implementing incremental changes, maintaining a clear schedule, and engaging in proactive dialogue and education are all essential for a successful and seamless transition in the market.

The State of Climate Action in Canadian Municipalities

A report and database from the Municipal Net-Zero Action Research Partnership (N-ZAP)

Municipalities in Canada are essential contributors to the nation’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving the objectives set at local, provincial, and national levels. Their role is crucial in the worldwide effort to cap the rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C, a goal established by the 2015 Paris Agreement. The proactive participation of these municipalities in the design, execution, and tracking of climate-related measures is not only vital for cutting down local emissions but also for promoting a future that is both sustainable and low in carbon emissions.

The recent database and study released by the Municipal Net-Zero Action Research Partnership (N-ZAP) draw on survey responses from 256 Canadian municipalities spanning all 10 provinces, which together account for roughly 69.5 percent of the nation’s populace. These municipalities have provided key data concerning their strategies and actions for climate change, including greenhouse gas inventories, policy measures, and initiatives for engaging stakeholders.

The survey results reveal that municipal governments are actively taking significant steps to combat climate change. However, the report also points out that there is room for improvement. Enhancing the speed of interventions, setting more ambitious goals, and improving the effectiveness of local actions are necessary to bolster the nationwide efforts to address climate change.

Complete Communities A guide to geospatial land use assessments for British Columbia’s communities

The Complete Communities guide is intended to support local governments in advancing identified community goals through creating more complete communities. It focuses on the process of undertaking assessments to inform land use decision-making, including consideration of housing need, supply, and location; providing transportation options including increased walkability; and making connections to infrastructure investment and servicing decisions.

The guide is intended to be a resource that provides a pathway to elevating the conversation about complete communities in B.C., assisting  in developing a scope of work to seek technical advisory services (if desired), and guidance for technical staff who are completing work “in-house”.