Port Coquitlam, B.C. – Nov. 10, 2021… Do you have ideas about what actions could help Port Coquitlam do more to address the impact of climate change?

A survey at portcoquitlam.ca/letstalk from Nov. 15 to Dec. 5 will collect public input as the City develops a new Climate Action Plan to replace the 2010 Corporate and Community Climate Action Plan. The comprehensive new strategy will set out actions for both the City and the public intended to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and manage the impact of climate change on civic services and the community.

“There’s no denying that climate change is happening. More and more, we’re seeing extreme heat, drought, storms, flooding and other signs of climate change that affect our community’s safety and well-being,” Mayor Brad West noted. “Combining community perspectives and climate science, we’re building a made-in-PoCo plan to help our city successfully navigate the impacts of climate change and create a prosperous, resilient and low-carbon future for the generations to come.”

Port Coquitlam’s new Climate Action Plan will set new GHG emissions targets and outline the corporate and community actions to reduce them, identify key partnerships, consider natural assets in mitigating impacts, and develop strategies for evaluating, reporting and communicating the desired actions. A detailed implementation plan with timelines, costs and responsibilities will also be developed.

The public is encouraged to visit portcoquitlam.ca/climate between Nov. 15 and Dec. 5 for information and a link to test their knowledge with a fun quiz and take the survey.

The survey results will be combined with input from Council, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation and other key stakeholders, along with technical assessments, best practice research, climate science and trend analysis, as the City’s project team develops the draft plan over the coming months. The public will have an additional opportunity in spring 2022 for feedback.

The intent is to adopt a new Climate Action Plan by late spring or early summer 2022 that demonstrates strong leadership, is ready for implementation, and has a focus on educating and engaging people to participate in achieving its objectives.

“We are looking forward to addressing head on, the climate challenges we face as a community,” said Cllr. Laura Dupont, Council’s designate for climate change matters. “What the community has to say on this important topic will shape our work moving forward.Please take our survey and help shape our new Climate Action Plan.”   

City Council approved the Blue Dot declaration in 2015 that affirms that all citizens have the right to a healthy environment, and subsequently designated Enhancing the Environment as one of its 2020-2022 priorities.

The budgeted Council priorities include the development of a new Climate Action Plan, a new Forest Management Plan with a tree canopy target and planting strategy, assessment of local watercourses and development of an improvement plan, updating of the City’s greenhouse gas targets and further work toward reducing emissions.  

These Council priorities activities are under way in 2021 and 2022, and will add to the other City environmental efforts to date that include:

• Adopting a tree bylaw to protect trees in 2019 and adding further protections in 2020,
• Requiring electric vehicle (EV) charging rough-ins in new residential construction and recently installing EV charging stations at Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC),
• Banning the use of cosmetic pesticides and promoting pollinators and natural lawn care,
• Rolling out energy-efficient LED streetlights City-wide,
• Supporting agriculture through community gardens – including a new one at PCCC – and the Port Coquitlam Farmers Market,
• Promoting waste reduction through community outreach and education and the annual City-wide garage sale,
• Continuing to update the City fleet with electric and fuel-efficient vehicles,
• Promoting green transportation though bus stop improvements, advocating for SkyTrain, an extensive network of cycling and pedestrian trails and safety features, and a new bike repair station at Gates Park,
• Completing an award-winning remediation of contaminated soils at the Blakeburn Lagoons site while creating a natural oasis and functioning wildlife habitat, and
• Adopting an Environmental Strategic Plan in 2011 to provide a framework for environmental actions and priorities.

Visit portcoquitlam.ca/climate for more information and updates on the new Climate Action Plan.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email ibacachex@portcoquitlam.ca