Climate Change Adaptation: Curbing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Township of Langley
Corporate Plan featured in “Showcasing Innovation in Greater Vancouver Series”
Climate change adaptation is one of four Township of Langely initiatives that will be featured as part of Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation in the Greater Vancouver Region: The 2007 Series. On October 5, Langley is hosting the second of three events the comprise the series. For the complete story on the Langley program, please click here.
Scope of Plan
In 2006, the Township of Langley adopted a Corporate Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan, making it one of the first municipalities in the Greater Vancouver region to do so. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 per cent by the year 2010.
According to Ryan Schmidt, Environmental Coordinator for the Township, “The plan sets an aggressive target for reducing greenhouse gases over the next several years. Initiatives include the recently-certified LEED-silver Civic Facility, involvement in the E3 fleet certification program and an anti-idling campaign.”
With the adoption of the plan, Langley is recommending that all future civic buildings be constructed to meet LEED standards. The Township will also be expanding its environmentally-friendly fleet initiatives by exploring alternative technologies such as Smart Cars and hybrid vehicles, as well as right-sizing its fleet. As well, the Township is pursuing alternative energy sources for its recreation centres, including utilizing solar panels and geothermal heating to control the temperature of its pools.
The Township of Langley is voluntarily reducing its corporate emissions as part of its commitment to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Partners for Climate Protection Program, which it joined in January, 2001. In 2004, the Township completed a GHG emissions inventory as the first step of the program.
The Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan was officially approved by Langley Township Council in June of this year, and with it, the Township hopes to assume a leadership role within the ,PCP Program. The Township of Langley is now entering the final phase of the program, which is to monitor progress and report results.
Posted September 2007