On July 8, 2019, Central Saanich Council declared a climate emergency. The level of climate action needed requires a coordinated effort, we are commitment to working with the community, partners, and other levels of government on our bold and necessary Climate Leadership Plan.
Climate Action Work
Bold actions to reach our climate targets, learn more about the actions we're working on to achieve these targets
Low-Carbon Buildings and Homes
By 2030, 100% of oil and propane home heating is converted to heat pumps
What this means: Every year from 2020 to 2030, 30 oil or propane heaters are replaced with electric heat pumps and hot water systems (assumes an estimated 300 homes total)
Actions being taken towards this goal:
- The District's Heat Pump Financing program enables Central Saanich homeowners to fund up to $12,000 of the cost of getting off oil heating through an interest free loan repaid on property tax bills over 10 years.
- Free educational workshops are being hosted by the municipality for those wanting to learn more about heat pumps.
By 2025, 100% of new buildings are net-zero ready (Step Code 5)
What this means: By 2025, the District will aim for all new buildings in Central Saanich to be built 80% more efficient than the current BC Building Code requires. Learn more at https://www.centralsaanich.ca/stepcode
Actions being taken towards this goal:
- The District's building bylaw requires compliance with the lower steps of the Step Code, which for residential construction like new homes, would be Step 3. Council supports the review of the upper steps, and staff are engaging with construction industry stakeholders in 2022.
- Rebates are available: For new construction that meets the targets of a higher step than required, Central Saanich Council has authorized building permit rebates. A mid-construction blower door test rebate is also available
- See https://www.centralsaanich.ca/stepcode for more information on Central Saanich Step Code adoption
By 2050, any remaining natural gas use is 100% renewable natural gas
What this means: When organic waste decomposes, it releases biogas into the atmosphere. That biogas can be captured from sources such as landfills and farms, and turned into renewable natural gas. By 2050, any remaining natural gas use will be renewable.
Actions being taken towards this goal:
- The District will continue to collaborate with the Capital Regional District, neighbouring municipalities, researchers, and local industry to support opportunities to generate and use renewable natural gas in the Capital Region.
Low-Carbon Transportation
By 2050, 50% of trips are made by active transportation
What this means: On average, by 2050, every resident takes four times more trips by active transportation (walking, cycling, transit) than they currently do, eliminating car trips for these outings
Actions being taken towards this goal:
- Central Saanich's Active Transportation Plan lays out a plan to develop new infrastructure and encourage walking, cycling, rolling, and transit integration.
- The District's policies and guidelines for residential infill and development supports community growth and densification that results in walkable, compact, and complete neighbourhoods in Central Saanich.
- In 2019, the District brought Modo car share to the community, providing an alternative, or addition, to private vehicle ownership. Central Saanich residents get $50 in free drive time upon signing up! Learn more at csaanich.ca/modo
By 2030, 25% of vehicles on the road are zero emissions, and by 2050, 100% are zero emissions
What this means: By 2030, 4,800 electric vehicles are on the road in Central Saanich.
Actions being taken towards this goal:
- The Electric Vehicle and E-bike Strategy outlines methods to support accelerated electric vehicle adoptions in Central Saanich.
- New buildings must be “EV-ready”
- The District is installing more public chargers in the municipality
- Businesses will have access to a Central Saanich grant program in 2022 to help fund EV chargers for their customer stalls
- Free educational workshops are being hosted by the municipality for those wanting to learn more about electric vehicles and available rebates.
- Learn more about provincial, federal, and other rebates on our Active & Electric Transportation page.
Reduce Solid Waste
Support regional diversion efforts
What this means: Here in the Capital Regional District, the average person produces 395 kg of garbage annually. The CRD would like to see us reduce to 250 kg per person to extend the life of the Hartland Landfill, which will be full by 2045 if we don't do something.
Actions being taken towards this goal:
- Working with the CRD to achieve 100% organize waste diversion from residential and commercial sources.
For new construction, the District has...
- created the Development Cost Charges (DCC's) Reduction bylaw where, if eligible, the District's DCCs are reduced by 30%. A development project may be eligible if building energy efficient housing.
- adopted the BC Energy Step Code, Step 3, for new houses built after a rezoning process.
- completed the public consultation on the BC Energy Step Code for all new construction, and details on adoption of the Step Code will be presented to Council in th near future.
Stay tuned as the District reveals a new program to support the retrofit of existing buildings.
With the addition of 360 solar panels, Central Saanich’s Fire Station 1 is a shining example of cost-effective renewable energy. The new photovoltaic system, to be unveiled July 19, can generate up to 80% of current energy consumption. The expected return on investment is less than 12 years.
The development approval process is an opportunity for Council to request improvements to the development that help meet the goals outlined in the Climate Leadership Plan. Examples of these requests could be
- compact, affordable housing
- electric car charging stations
- modo car memberships
- BC Energy Step Code construction, better than base building code
We are participating in the CRD's Regional Electric Vehicle/Electric Bike Charging Infrastructure Strategy, which will add a network of charging stations throughout the region.
Through a partnership with Modo, the District of Central Saanich has two car share vehicles available, located in Saanichton Village—one of which is electric.
Car sharing is a terrific way to see fewer vehicles on the road. To learn more or join Modo, visit www.modo.coop.
We’re adding electric and MODO vehicles to our light duty fleet.
Active transportation is a top priority for our community, and we are making good progress on improving walking, biking and other mobility options.
Learn more: https://www.centralsaanich.ca/programs-services/active-transportation
Tree preservation is a recognized climate mitigation measure. Not only are trees key to carbon sequestration, they can also support storm water management, reduce the urban heat island effect, provide habitat and enhance biodiversity.
Central Saanich has seen significant tree canopy loss, and is working to slow current loss and eventually increase our canopy cover. Our Tree Management Bylaw regulates the cutting, removal or damaging of trees and sets requirements for replacing trees.
A number of areas in the District have been identified as a Development Permit area for the protection of the natural environment, its ecosystems and biological diversity. These areas include:
- Riparian and Sensitive Aquatic Ecosystems (creeks, streams etc)
- Marine Shoreline
- Sensitive Terrestrial Ecosystems
More information on these areas is available in the Official Community Plan or in the Planning section here.
Pesticide use is prohibited, by bylaw no. 1688, on any public land in Central Saanich.