Saanich wants you to cut carbon
By Keith Vass - Saanich News
Saanich is looking to residents and businesses to slash their carbon emissions by a third before the next decade is out.
The proposed target is contained in the municipality's draft Climate Action Plan, made public this week.
By the year 2020, Saanich would aim to reduce community-wide carbon emissions by 33 per cent from 2007 levels, when a survey found a total of 521,000 tonnes of CO2 was produced in the Island's largest municipality.
The draft plan, which is now being sent out for public comment, calls on the public to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by a third, while Saanich would aim to half emissions from municipal operations.
Mayor Frank Leonard said the targets are achievable.
"We've shown leadership in-house with our own operations and this now reaches out to the general community to embrace programs that'll make a difference."
The largest portion of emissions in Saanich, 62 per cent, comes from vehicles. The plan calls for vehicle emissions to be cut by 45 per cent.
Coun. Dean Murdock said council needs to hear from the public if they're willing to see their tax dollars spent on improving transit infrastructure.
"If we're going to build the capacity, there needs to be demand. People need to be prepared to put the keys down and pick up a transit pass"
But the opposite tends to be true, said University of Victoria environmental psychologist Robert Gifford.
"Transit has to be improved to make people more likely to get on board. The structure has to be put in place and then people have to be encouraged to use it," he said.
The plan looks to reduce car trips in part through urban planning, and the development of new urban 'villages' in the Tillicum neighbourhood, the Shelbourne corridor and other parts of town.
It also anticipates Saanich residents will achieve part of their reductions by adopting new technology, projecting 5,000 electric cars will be roaming the streets by 2020.
Gifford said price will be the largest factor governing how fast people will be to buy electric cars as they come onto the market. But the municipality can play a part by acting as an "opinion leader," he said.
"If Frank Leonard is driving a hybrid, some people are going to notice. And if the city vehicles roaming around Gordon Head are hybrid, that's going to create a norm is created, that's the way to do it."
Saanich has started mixing hybrid vehicles into its fleet, replacing 12 gas vehicles so far.
But Leonard said he hasn't been able to replace his own "small" gas-powered SUV yet.
"I haven't figured out how you would have a hybrid that would pull a boat just yet, but when I find one I'll pursue it," he said.
"I'm just in the same dynamic as many other people. You're looking for the technology to meet the demands."
The draft plan is available on Saanich's website, at www.climateaction.saanich.ca. Three public open houses are scheduled to discuss it, Nov. 19, Nov. 24 and Nov. 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Salvation Army Citadel, 4030 Douglas St.
By the numbers
Saanich-wide 2007 CO2 emissions: 521,000 tonnes
2020 target CO2 emissions: 350,000 tonnes
Fuel-related emissions: reduced 45 per cent by 2020
Building-related emissions: reduced 30 per cent by 2020
Emissions from waste: reduced 50 per cent by 2020
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