Climate action

Each year we see more evidence of a changing climate.

Despite global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the world is facing a different climate future. Canada is warming at twice the global average rate and impacts are already being felt and anticipated to worsen.

Our ecosystems, communities and our economy are being challenged. Wildfire, flooding, and drought have already tested local infrastructure, caused economic losses, and posed health risks to communities. It's now imperative that governments and individuals act to minimize, prepare for and adapt to these future extremes.

Okanagan climate projections report

The RDCO has partnered with the regional districts of North Okanagan and Okanagan Similkameen on the Climate Projections Report for the Okanagan. This report provides the scientific foundation to make informed decisions that support community action and to better prepare for climate variations over the next 30 and 60 years.

Findings indicate that the Okanagan can expect significant changes including:

Warmer temperatures year-round
Summers will be considerably hotter
Increased duration of growing season
Warmer winter temperatures
Increased precipitation across all seasons except summer
Summer is expected to remain the driest season, and become drier; and
We can expect shifting seasons

Read the report on Climate Projections for the Okanagan Region

Funding for the report was provided by the three regional districts, Natural Resources Canada in partnership with the Fraser Basin Council and the Okanagan Basin Water Board Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grant Program.

Greenhouse gas emissions

It's anticipated that extreme weather events will occur more frequently unless greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are mitigated.

In 2017 and 2018, the Regional District received Level 2 recognition for measuring greenhouse gas emissions by the Union of BC Municipalities Green Communities Committee.

The RDCO is a signatory to the BC Government Climate Action Charter. We report annually on the initiatives we are taking as an organization and what we are doing to help the community reduce GHG emissions.

Policies

Community initiatives

Recycling curbside cart collection
Yard waste curbside cart collection
Flood mitigation strategy
Safe Routes 4 Schools: we encourage students that live 2.5 km or less from their school to use physical transportation to get to and from school
Annual discount every March on backyard composters, food digesters and rain barrels
Fuel mitigation in regional parks
RDCO hosted a public climate event in February 2020

Looking ahead

Organic waste pickup program
No idling bylaw
Regional transportation plan

Resources to get involved

Government of BC's climate action revenue incentive program (CARIP)
CleanBC Better Homes – rebates and subsidies potentially for those conducting new construction or retrofitting renovations
BC Climate Action Charter

Corporate initiatives

We've supported alternative transportation methods and developing corridors like the Mission Creek, Lebanon Creek and Trepanier Creek greenways by building trail networks (e.g. rail trail) to provide active transportation options connecting neighbourhoods and communities
Climate Projections for the Okanagan Region, 2020
Climate Action program survey report, 2021
- 2021 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report
Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) report, 2020
- 2020 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report
Okanagan Biomass Inventory, 2021