“Bold leadership” to take action against climate change has earned national accolades for the Township of Langley.
On Feb. 10, a ceremony was held in Ottawa by the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) to acknowledge Canadian municipalities that recently achieved milestones in its program to enhance the environment by reducing the amount of harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced.
The PCP program, a partnership between the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, outlines a milestone-based framework to guide municipalities’ efforts to reduce emissions associated with their corporate operations by encouraging initiatives and setting goals.
Only 33 municipalities throughout the country have achieved the fifth and final milestone in the program, including the Township of Langley, which was presented with a trophy to recognize the accomplishment.
Township Councillors Kim Richter and Petrina Arnason, who were participating in the FCM’s Sustainable Communities Conference, accepted the award on behalf of the Township.
“We are really pleased to have been a part of this important initiative and proud to be recognized for our success with the program,” said Langley Township Mayor Jack Froese.
“We all need to do our part to protect the environment and being responsible environmental stewards is something the Township takes seriously. Our municipality is committed to creating a great quality of life for those who live here now and for generations to come, and it is important that we lead by example.”
In 2001, Township Council approved participation in the FCM’s Partners for Climate Protection program and committed to measuring and reducing corporate and community GHGs. During the course of the program, the Township created a baseline GHG emissions inventory, adopted a Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan, and put the plan to action.
Led by the Township’s Strategic Initiative’s department, employees throughout the corporation worked to implement GHG-reducing measures, such as installing a geothermal system at the Aldergrove Water Treatment Plant and earning an E3 Fleet Gold Rating for excellence in fleet management and green performance.
As part of Milestone 5, which was completed in January of this year, staff completed the requirements of the program framework by conducting an updated GHG emissions inventory, documenting results from notable projects, and describing how stakeholders have been involved throughout the milestone process.
Although the program’s milestones have now been achieved, the Township will continue to find and implement innovative ways to protect the environment.
“We have wrapped up the corporate PCP framework, but the Township is still committed to maintaining our momentum on energy and emission reductions,” said Josh Power, Energy Programs Specialist for the Township.
“We are currently developing a Strategic Energy Management Plan to embed improved energy practices across all departments of the municipality.”
“The Township of Langley has shown bold leadership in addressing these important issues,” said FCM President Raymond Louie.
“Your local government is now in a leadership position to help mentor and encourage other municipalities that are working toward better energy and GHG management.”
Louie noted that, since 2008, municipalities in the PCP program have reported on more than 800 projects to reduce GHG emissions, representing more than $2.3 billion in investments and over 1.8 million tonnes in annual GHG reductions.
For more information, contact Josh Power, Energy Programs Specialist for the Township of Langley, at 604-532-7339 or jpower@tol.ca.
