Local Government Perspectives on Carbon Tax

Brendan McEwenSustainability ManagerCity of Richmond, BC

energy.richmond.ca

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Context•The Green Communities legislation (Bill 27, 2008)– Requires targets, policies & action to reduce GHGs in

Official Community Plans•Climate Action Charter – Compact, complete communities– Inventory Emissions– Carbon neutral operations

•Increasing local government focus on community energy management

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Richmond Climate Action• Official Community Plan target – Reduce emissions 33%

by 2020, 80% by 2050 (below 2007 levels)• Community Energy & Emissions Plan adopted in 2014

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CEEP Emissions Projections

Richmond’s CLP Comment• Carbon pricing – Carbon tax or cap & trade– Increase the cost to reflect social cost of carbon

• Zero carbon buildings– New construction – building code– Retrofit strategy

• Zero carbon transportation– ZEV policies– Support for transit, active transportation– Support compact, complete communities

Richmond’s CLP Comment• District Energy– Support for DE systems

• Zero waste strategies– Support waste diversion strategies

• Preservation of natural & agricultural lands– Carbon sequestration

Richmond’s Alexandra District Energy System – supplied by renewable ground-source heat

BC Local Governments Support Carbon Tax

• BC Mayors Climate Leadership Council endorses the CLT’s recommendations

• Many local government CLP submissions endorse carbon tax

Impact of $5/tonne annual carbon tax increase over 2018-2030

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Thank you!

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