Here’s what the City of Kelowna is doing about climate change

KELOWNA – The city is turning climate change into revenue, some $235,000, according to a report Kelowna councillors will receive on Monday.

Sustainability coordinator Tracy Guidi will update councillors on the city’s efforts to meet the goals of the Climate Action Revenue Incentive program. It helps fund local initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in city buildings and operations by returning carbon taxes if reporting requirements are met.

Kelowna signed the B.C. Climate Action Charter in 2007 and an annual report is required. It commits the city to reducing GHGs by 33 per cent by 2020 from 2007 levels.

In her report, Guidi says the city is applying for a refund on all $234,832 in carbon taxes paid to the provincial government in 2014.

According to Guidi, the city completed numerous GHG-reducing projects in 2014, from planting over 4,600 trees to transit improvements to lighting upgrades at Memorial and Rutland arenas.

Next year, plans are to move ahead on many more projects including the hiring of a contract energy specialist, reducing gas usage at the waste water treatment facility and planting 5,000 ponderosa pines in natural parks.

To contact the reporter for this story, email John McDonald at jmcdonald@infotelnews.ca or call 250-808-0143. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.