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SRD recognized for reducing emissions

District officially a 'Climate Action Community'

They may not have met their target to become “carbon neutral,” last year, but the Strathcona Regional District can at least brag a little about their efforts to reduce their environmental footprint.

Shortly after The Mirror reported in late July that the district had missed their carbon neutrality target for 2014, the district received a letter from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Green Communities Committee (GCC) congratulating them on their efforts to at least measure and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

“The work that your local government has undertaken to measure and reduce its corporate emissions demonstrates strong climate leadership and sets the stage for broader climate action in your community,” reads the letter.

The recognition places the SRD at “Level 2: Measurement,” meaning they “have completed a corporate carbon inventory for the reporting year and demonstrate that they are familiar with the Community Energy and Emissions Inventory.”

As a recognized “Climate Action Community,” the SRD is now allowed to use the branding provided by the GCC on letterheads and other communications, as well as display it on public buildings.

“The Regional District is very happy to receive this recognition from the Province and UBCM for our efforts to become carbon-neutral,” said SRD board chair Jim Abram.

“In 2014 we reduced our (greenhouse gas) emissions by 82 tonnes, a big improvement from the previous year.”

He added that he feels the SRD is making progress in terms of continuing to reduce their environmental footprint and are “constantly looking for ways in which to continue achieving greater goals through the effective and efficient delivery of all our services.

“We have already invested in several energy-saving initiatives, and when we begin our financial planning process for 2016-2020, we will be looking at other ways in which we can support more projects focused on (greenhouse gas) reductions.”