A vision for a carbon neutral community
By accelerating climate action we can tap into new opportunities to enhance and preserve the quality of life in Central Saanich. We are stepping up our efforts in light of the climate emergency; on December 16, 2019, Central Saanich Council approved ambitious and accelerated community climate targets that align with the UN’s recommendation to limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C. You can read the full staff report on this topic here.
Central Saanich climate targets:
Reduce community emissions by 45% by 2030 over 2007 levels. (In 2007 the community emitted approx 76,000 tonnes of territorial GHG emissions.)
Become a carbon neutral community by 2050.
Bold actions to reach our climate targets:
Click on the items below to learn about the actions we're working on to achieve these targets.
What this means: Every year from 2020 to 2030, 30 oil or propane heaters are replaced with electric heat pumps and hot water systems (assumes an estimated 300 homes total)
Actions being taken towards this goal:
- The District's Oil to Heat Pump Financing program enables Central Saanich homeowners to fund up to $12,000 of the cost of getting off oil heating through an interest free loan repaid on property tax bills over 10 years.
- Free educational workshops are being hosted by the municipality for those wanting to learn more about heat pumps.
What this means: By 2025, the District will aim for all new buildings in Central Saanich to be built 80% more efficient than the current BC Building Code requires. Learn more at https://www.centralsaanich.ca/stepcode
Actions being taken towards this goal:
- The District's building bylaw requires compliance with the lower steps of the Step Code, which for residential construction like new homes, would be Step 3. Council supports the review of the upper steps, and staff are engaging with construction industry stakeholders in 2022.
- Rebates are available: For new construction that meets the targets of a higher step than required, Central Saanich Council has authorized building permit rebates. A mid-construction blower door test rebate is also available
- See https://www.centralsaanich.ca/stepcode for more information on Central Saanich Step Code adoption
What this means: When organic waste decomposes, it releases biogas into the atmosphere. That biogas can be captured from sources such as landfills and farms, and turned into renewable natural gas. By 2050, any remaining natural gas use will be renewable.
Actions being taken towards this goal:
- The District will continue to collaborate with the Capital Regional District, neighbouring municipalities, researchers, and local industry to support opportunities to generate and use renewable natural gas in the Capital Region.
What this means: On average, by 2050, every resident takes four times more trips by active transportation (walking, cycling, transit) than they currently do, eliminating car trips for these outings
Actions being taken towards this goal:
- Central Saanich's Active Transportation Plan lays out a plan to develop new infrastructure and encourage walking, cycling, rolling, and transit integration.
- The District's policies and guidelines for residential infill and development supports community growth and densification that results in walkable, compact, and complete neighbourhoods in Central Saanich.
- In 2019, the District brought Modo car share to the community, providing an alternative, or addition, to private vehicle ownership. Central Saanich residents get $50 in free drive time upon signing up! Learn more at csaanich.ca/modo
What this means: By 2030, 4,800 electric vehicles are on the road in Central Saanich.
Actions being taken towards this goal:
- The Electric Vehicle and E-bike Strategy outlines methods to support accelerated electric vehicle adoptions in Central Saanich.
- New buildings must be “EV-ready”
- The District is installing more public chargers in the municipality
- Businesses will have access to a Central Saanich grant program in 2022 to help fund EV chargers for their customer stalls
- Free educational workshops are being hosted by the municipality for those wanting to learn more about electric vehicles and available rebates.
- Learn more about provincial, federal, and other rebates on our Active & Electric Transportation page.
What this means: Here in the Capital Regional District, the average person produces 395 kg of garbage annually. The CRD would like to see us reduce to 250 kg per person to extend the life of the Hartland Landfill, which will be full by 2045 if we don't do something.
Actions being taken towards this goal:
- Working with the CRD to achieve 100% organize waste diversion from residential and commercial sources.