Media release
For immediate release

Saanich, BC – Ninety-four per cent of Saanich’s Climate Plan survey respondents said they are working on reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. Join them in building a renewable, resilient community and shaping Saanich’s new Climate Plan by participating in a free public workshop November 29 or December 1.

“Rising sea levels, longer dryer summers and shorter wetter winters as well as recent forest fires, heat waves and storms are showing how climate change will affect our future,” said Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes. “Local governments have a responsibility to respond to a changing climate and have an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I invite Saanich residents to join together to shape a plan that will work for our community.”

Climate Plan open house and public workshops at Gordon Head Recreation Centre:

• Thursday, November 29 from 3 to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, December 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (child minding available)

View the workshop schedule and register online at saanich.ca/climateplan.

These free events at Gordon Head Recreation Centre include a drop-in open house and a series of one-hour interactive workshops. Early registration is recommended for the one-hour workshops, although drop-in spots may be available on the day. The events are intended for the general public and no special climate change background knowledge is required. Child minding is available on December 1 to allow parents to participate in the workshops. Light refreshments will be provided both days.

Residents can sign up for two different interactive workshops that will be offered twice each day:

• Mitigation (reducing our climate impact); and
• Adaptation (preparing for a changing climate).

Participants in the mitigation workshop will work together to build strategies to reach our community greenhouse gas emission targets using an interactive modelling tool. Participants in the adaptation workshop will review what sea level, temperature and precipitation changes mean for our community and identify local risks we need to address.

The open house will provide information about Saanich’s current greenhouse gas emissions, climate projections for our region and possible climate actions in the areas of renewable energy, transportation, buildings, waste, food and consumption. There will be opportunities to speak with Saanich staff, to complete surveys learn about actions you can take, and to submit ideas for the plan.

Learn more

The open house and public workshops are part of a larger process to update the Saanich Climate Plan. To register or to learn more about other ways to be involved, visit saanich.ca/climateplan.

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Media contact:
Rebecca Newlove, Manager of Sustainability
rebecca.newlove@saanich.ca
250-475-5494 ext. 7118

 

BACKGROUNDER 

Climate plan open house and workshop details

 

Thursday, November 29

Open house drop-in

3 to 8 p.m. in the Gordon Head Recreation Centre Multi-Purpose Room

Interactive workshops by registration

• 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. Mitigation
• 4:30 - 5:15 p.m. Adaptation
• 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Mitigation
• 6:45 - 7:30 p.m. Adaptation

Saturday, December 1

Open house drop-in

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Gordon Head Recreation Centre Multi-Purpose Room (child minding available)

Interactive workshops by registration

• 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. Mitigation
• 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Adaptation
• 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Mitigation
• 1:45 - 2:30 p.m. Adaptation

Saanich climate quick facts

• Preliminary survey results show the 93 per cent of Saanich survey respondents believe it is important for Saanich to take action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in District operations and in the community, and that 94 per cent of respondents are doing either a little or a lot to reduce their own GHG emissions.
• In 2017, Saanich council committed to reaching 100 per cent renewable energy and 80 per cent greenhouse gas reductions in the community by 2050.
• In 2010, Saanich completed its first Climate Plan with targets for 2020.
• Using a consumption based emissions inventory, Saanich was responsible for 881,000 tonnes of carbon equivalent (greenhouse gas) emissions in 2015, that’s 7.7 tonnes per person per year. 
• The typical car emits about 4.6 tonnes of carbon per year
• The average Saanich home heated by an oil furnace emits about seven tonnes of carbon per year for heating.
• A Saanich home heated by a heat pump emits approximately zero tonnes of carbon per year for heating.
• If you primarily, walk, bike, or use an electric vehicle for most of your trips, your transportation is nearly zero tonnes of carbon per year (same with transit on an electric bus).
• Home energy efficiency improvements such as improved air sealing, insulation, and windows can increase comfort and reduce carbon emissions and energy costs.
• What we buy and throw away (such as food and clothing) also creates emissions and will be addressed in the updated Climate Plan.
• 100 Saanich residents are using solar energy today and this number increases every year.
• Saanich provides free electric vehicle charging stations to the public and has eight fully electric cars in its fleet.
• Rebates are available to switch from oil heating to an electric heat pump. The greenhouse gas savings from this upgrade are at least as much as taking a car off the road, and it costs less per year to heat your home after the upgrade.

 

Media contact:
Rebecca Newlove, Manager of Sustainability
rebecca.newlove@saanich.ca
250-475-5494 ext. 7118