Climate change already costs our community
flooding in Ambleside
We can tackle the climate crisis
We’ve seen shoreline flooding from sea level rise, storm events, wildfires, summer droughts and heat domes.West Van has adopted strategies to deal with the impacts including a Coastal Marine Management Plan (and tighter foreshore development regulations), as well as a Community Wildfire Action Plan.*
We love West Van
We must protect the environment if we want to enjoy West Vancouver’s natural beauty, clean water and air. Plans for the protection of urban forests, the undeveloped uplands, watercourses, and shoreline will need community support in order to preserve our district’s unique qualities.
We can make a difference
Municipalities influence about 50% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions concentrated in buildings, transportation, and waste.* That’s why it’s important for local governments, including West Van, to put climate change at the heart of their strategy and planning.
We are part of the problem
West Van residents emit more GHGs per capita than the regional average, in heating and air conditioning (52%), and fossil fuel-powered vehicles (39%).* Measures that can help us change this include programs funded by the Environment Levy, and subsidised energy-efficient heat pumps.
We have committed to act
Our governments - federal, provincial and municipal - have committed to reducing GHG emissions, with accountability mechanisms to ensure compliance with UN targets.* In 2021 West Van became the first municipality in Canada to require that new residential buildings be built using low-carbon energy systems or be net-zero energy ready.*
We believe in solutions
We are resilient, but we also know that positive solutions can help solve our climate change challenges.
references:
1. Sea Level Rise, Community Wildfire Protection Plan, District of West Vancouver.
2. Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
3. Summary report, West Vancouver Community Energy and Emissions Plan, p.1.
3. Federal government net-zero accountability law.
BC annual climate change accountability report.
West Vancouver Council Strategic Plan, 2021-2022. Objective 3.1.
