Carbon Neutral

Saanich buys into carbon credits
By Erin Cardone Saanich News , December 19, 2007

New reserve fund to offset polluting emissions. The District of Saanich is buying its way out of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the Sierra Club of Victoria says.
New reserve fund to offset polluting emissions.

The District of Saanich is buying its way out of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the Sierra Club of Victoria says.

"It means that instead of actually reducing emissions, they plan to purchase technology for future reduction," said Sierra Club's Dean Murdock.

His comments come after Saanich councillors voted unanimously Dec. 10 to instate a Carbon Neutral Reserve Fund, which would be used to buy carbon credits. The credits are purchased from companies that offset greenhouse gas emissions for the purchaser, by planting trees or developing green technologies, for example. These credits would be purchased from companies within Saanich.

Still, Murdock recognizes Saanich as a leader on environmentally friendly initiatives in the region, and praised councillors and staff for this step in the right direction.

"It's excellent Saanich has a carbon neutral policy," he said. "This demonstrates leadership (among municipalities) by modelling good behaviour.

"(But) this needs to be done in tandem with steps to reduce emissions today."
At last Monday's meeting, Coun. Leif Wergeland told other councillors they should each act as examples to encourage residents to lower their greenhouse gas emissions.

"What would it ask of councillors to become carbon neutral themselves?" Wergeland said. "If we really want to show leadership, we have to look at ourselves."

The Carbon Neutral Reserve Fund follows Saanich's announcement that the district is striving to be one of Canada's first municipalities to be carbon neutral in 2008. It aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 per cent before 2010.

The fund is currently valued at $90,000. A credit equals one tonne of carbon dioxide and is purchased at market value - between $10 and $40 US.