ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EnAC)

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ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EnAC)

Thursday, September 18 2019, at 6:30 p.m.

Council Chambers - City Hall MINUTES

VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT:

Councillor Nadine Nakagawa - Chair

Colleen Gillespie - Community Member

Lesley Malcolm - Community Member

John Ragone - Education Sector Rep

Bryanna Thiel - Community Member

Ingrid Tymm - Community Member

Cyrus Sy - Community Member

MEMBER REGRETS:

Kyle Routledge - Local Environmental Org Rep

Raunaq Singh - Education Sector Rep

Christopher Lumsden - Community Member

GUESTS:

Phil Walkinshaw Virginia Ayers STAFF:

Jennifer Lukianchuk -Environmental Coordinator Engineering Services

Eugene Wat -Manager, Infrastructure Planning

Engineering Services

Tabitha Guichon -Committee Secretary

Engineering Services

Jacque Killawee - City Clerk

The meeting was called to order at 6:33 pm.

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Doc #1490311 Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes Page 2 September 18, 2019

1.0 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

1.1 Additions to the Agenda of September 18, 2019 MOVED and SECONDED

THAT the Agenda of the Environment Advisory Committee meeting held on September 18, 2019 be received and adopted with the addition of item 5.4, Committee Review Process.

CARRIED.

All members of the Committee present voted in favour of the motion.

2.0 ADOPTION OF MINUTES

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes of June 13, 2019 MOVED and SECONDED

THAT the Minutes of the Environment Advisory Committee meeting held on June 13, 2019 be received and adopted.

CARRIED.

All members of the Committee present voted in favour of the motion.

3.0 PRESENTATIONS No items.

4.0 UNFINISHED BUSINESS

4.1 Single-use Item Reduction Update – Jennifer Lukianchuk, Environmental Coordinator

Jennifer provided an update on what has happened in terms of single use item reduction since the last meeting. (See attachment 1). It was noted that the province has launched a province-wide, public engagement on the topic of reducing public waste. Staff will send an email with the links for the committee members.

Discussion ensued and the following comments were made:

• Members suggested that the city consider posting on social media channels to get more people informed of the process

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5.0 NEW BUSINESS

5.1 Council’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan (Environment & Climate Action) – Jennifer Lukianchuk, Environmental Coordinator

Jennifer provided a brief overview of the 2019-2022 Strategic priority with a focus on the Environment and Climate Priority area. (See attachment 2).

Discussion ensued and the following comments were made:

• Walkability sits within the sustainable transportation priority.

• A lot of the community emissions can be reduced if the city does things like planning the city to be more walkable, the number of parking stalls allowed in buildings, better access to transit, etc.

• In terms of bold moves, the city was one of the first to declare a climate emergency and are strong advocates for better public transportation

• Council still needs to set budgets for items prior to making any decisions

• Suggestion was to consider trimming some other priorities that may not have as much bang for the buck and focus on some advocacy and lobbying of other thing going on in the region and province

• Staff noted that every council report going forward is to include an

“impacts on climate” section

• Cities and staff do talk to each other regarding the climate crisis so that there is some coordination. There are also regional meetings that staff attend where information is shared and provided

• Once a plan is developed, the committee can get involved to help provide feedback or do workshops to contribute ideas and

suggestions

5.2 Corporate 2018 GHG Emissions Update – Jennifer Lukianchuk, Environmental Coordinator

Jennifer provided a presentation regarding the GHG Emissions (see attachment 3). There was a 10 year corporate GHG plan that was from 2007-2017. An update report will be going to council on the 2018 emissions at the end of September.

Discussion ensued and the following comments were provided:

• Consider improving green waste at homes

• New Westminster does contract out, capturing the contractor

emissions would be important, or a bit of a pre-amble that notes that contractor emissions are not included in these results

• An assumptions and limitations section would be great

• A member suggested that there should be some comparison with other cities. Staff will look into seeing if this is an option.

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• It was noted that other cities do not have their own police force or electric utility and those emissions are not included in the CARIP report

• A climate adaptation plan will help identify who is responsible for what when moving forward.

5.3 2020 Community Grant Program – Appointment - Jacqueline Killawee, City Clerk

Jacque Killawee provided an update on the new grant program and how it has changed from previous years. A member from this committee will be appointed to sit on the review panel for the grant selection. This member must not have any conflict of interest and cannot sit on the panel if they are going to be submitting a grant application. After discussion, John Ragone was the only one that volunteered to be selected to sit on the review panel, therefore, no vote was required.

5.4 Committee Review Process – Nadine Nakagawa

The city has been going through a committee review process. A survey was completed in the summer and results were sent to all members. A new policy has been adopted by council and there may be some changes to the committee structure for next year.

6.0 REPORTS AND INFORMATION

6.1 Environment Coordinator’s Update – Jennifer Lukianchuk

• There is a group that received an environmental grant, called Master Recyclers that will be providing workshops for recycling for multi family units.

• Jennifer provided a few important dates for events going on at Glenbrook Ravine:

 September 18 - Invasive removal event

 October 26 & November 5^th - Planting events

• Jennifer provided information about the Connaught Heights Pollinator Meadow. This has been an empty lot for many years and is owned by BC Hydro. The city received some funding from BC Hydro and the Vancouver Foundation in order to turn this lot into a pollinator meadow.

7.0 CORRESPONDENCE

A few committee members wanted to note the following information:

• Metro Vancouver is having their ninth annual Zero waste conference is on October 30 & 31^st.

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• Queensborough has their Shoreline cleanup happening on September 28^th

• Week of climate strike is coming up September 20-27

• Reminder that the Federal election is coming up

• There was a suggestions to have the Kinder Morgan pipeline on the agenda for the next meeting

8.0 NEXT MEETING DATES

Wednesday, November 20, 2019 9.0 ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 8:26

NADINE NAKAGAWA CHAIR

TABITHA GUICHON

COMMITTEE SECRETARY ORIGINAL SIGNED ORIGINAL SIGNED

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Single Use Item Reduction- Update

Environment Advisory Committee, Sept 18, 2019

Attachment 1

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New Westminster Council: August 26, 2019

• THAT discussion and decision on this matter be tabled until the Provincial process and policy on single-use items is complete

• THAT Council write a letter to the Province, requesting engagement with diverse communities, especially the disability community, in the development of a single-use items policy.

Resolutions:

• THAT staff be directed to explore the implementation of a ban on the

use of plastic straws, single-use plastic bags and Styrofoam take-out

packaging, and report back to Council on a strategy with actionable

steps harmonized to the provincial approach, once the provincial

regulatory framework is released.

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BC Provincial Government – Consultation

• The Province is currently engaging with the public on single- use plastics (from July 25th to September 30th, 2019).

• Considering bans as a policy option for plastic packaging and would like input on viable approaches.

• Need to find the right policy approach that results in the fewest unintended consequences.

• Also seeking feedback on amendments to improve existing programs to avoid duplicating regulatory initiatives

• Develop a new regulatory framework for plastic waste in the

Fall 2019/Winter 2020. A What We Heard Report will be

posted publicly in late 2019.

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BC Provincial Government - Consultation

• Website link: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/plastics

• Policy Consultation Paper (Plastics Action Plan)

• All comments received through the public survey, formal

submission, webinars, mail or email by September 30, 2019 will be compiled for review by ministry staff

Explore uniform 10 cents; incl. milk

Plastic content:

develop Canada- wide design standards for plastic (reduces need to produce more plastic)

Have

more products recycled in EPR

program Bans on the sale or use; which level of gov’t best suits ban?

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Thank you.

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2019-2022 Strategic Plan

Today

Attachment 2

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Our Vision

A vibrant, compassionate, sustainable city that includes

everyone.

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Strategic Plan: Priority Areas

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Priority Area:

Environment and Climate

We are committed to taking bold action to address the Climate

Emergency, which includes achieving greenhouse gas reductions

required to keep global temperature increases below 1.5 o C. To do

so, we must engage and involve the entire community, ensuring

special consideration is given to those most vulnerable. At the

same time, we must continue to protect our ecosystems and

urban forest, while preparing for the unavoidable impacts that

climate change will bring.

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Key Directions

• Take bold action on corporate and community

emissions with the goal to have net zero Greenhouse Gas emissions by 2050

• Implement the Environmental Strategy and Action Plan

to protect and enhance biodiversity, natural areas, and

our urban forest to improve ecological health, habitat

and community livability.

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Primary Actions

• Revise the Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP 2.0) to address accelerated carbon targets.

• Revise the Corporate Energy and Emissions Reduction Strategy (CEERS) to address accelerated carbon targets.

• Create and implement an Integrated Corporate and Community Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy.

• Implement key elements of the Urban Forest

Management Strategy (UFMS).

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We are also currently...

• Implementing the Energy Save New West program, which provides information and incentives to building owners.

• Applying advanced building standards and low carbon energy sources in new buildings (e.g., new Zero Carbon Building

Standard).

• Expanding the Solar Gardens, which generate clean, renewable solar energy (e.g., Engineering Ops building).

• Implementing the BC Energy Step Code for new buildings.

• Installing EV charging stations at City facilities and on City streets.

• Planting 11,800 trees by 2030.

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Implementing the Plan

• Key directions and primary actions will be incorporated into the 2020 budgeting process and the 2020-2024

Financial Plan

• Actions will then be integrated into each department’s annual work plans

• The status of actions will be tracked and reported on regularly, with the status made available through

multiple channels

• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that measure progress

in each Priority Areas, will also be regularly updated and

reported on

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2019-2022 Strategic Plan

Questions?

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Corporate Energy & Emissions Reduction Plan

1. Greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory results for 2018 2. Highlights of the findings and energy initiatives

implemented

• Civic Buildings and Fleet

3. Next Steps – Update the Corporate Plan

Today’s Presentation

Attachment 3

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10-Year Corporate GHG Plan (2007- 2017)

• GHGs and fuel / electrical consumption monitored and reported every year

• 4 sectors – buildings, fleet, lighting, water & wastewater

• 2018 results are outside of 10 yr.

period (but worth noting)

Upcoming report to Council on 2018 emissions - anticipated for Sept 30

^th

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GHG data 2007 (baseline year) vs. 2017 and 2018

** Electricity-related emissions factor decreased over the

year = bonus reduction of GHGs to help us reach our target

Target for 2017 = 15%

(achieved 5.3% in 2017)

**

GHGs GHGs

T GHGs T GHGs

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Actual vs. Projected Target

Target: Reduce by 15% (2007 emissions) by 2017

Actual

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Highlights - Buildings

• Reduction of 205 tonnes from 2017 to 2018

• 2018 slightly warmer year than in 2007 and 2017

• Demand side management of natural gas equipment (e.g., optimizing use/scheduling)

• GHG reduction over the 2007-2017 period:

– Replacement of facility atmospheric boilers to efficient condensing boilers

– Lighting upgrades to LED in various facilities

– Bonus GHG reduction related to a decrease in the electrical

emissions factor

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Highlights - Fleet

• Decrease in GHGs by 1.7% from 2007 (first decrease)

• Decrease in 106 Tonnes from 2017-2018

– Fleet initiatives beginning to show reductions

– 2018 warmer year (less snow/ice removal using heavy duty fleet)

– Conversion of more fleet units from gasoline to gas/propane (propane emits less GHGs compared to gas)

– Idle reduction programs, installation of new battery backup systems,

smaller engines

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Canada Games Pool

• In the original GHG Plan, implementing energy saving projects at the Pool would help us reach our target (e.g., heat

exchange, heat recovery)

• The Pool is very inefficient compared with other pools for its size in the region

• 900 Tonnes GHGs/per year

• ~ ¼ total city GHG inventory

• No further energy savings work done as pool renewal is pending Update for 2019:

• Design of the new pool: LEED Gold + Zero Carbon Building Standard

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Next Steps

• Develop a renewed corporate energy and GHG emissions reduction plan (10 year)

– New set of initiatives for buildings, fleet, etc.

– New GHG reduction target – Climate Emergency

• 45% by 2030; 65% by 2040

• Set of initiatives for buildings and fleet (to get us there)

– Present Plan to Council end of 2019 / early 2020

– Sneak peak of what will be included (key directions from

Council – Aug 26, 2019)

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Proposed Fleet initiatives to meet 45% reduction target by 2030

Future - Fleet

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Future - Fleet

Proposed Fleet initiatives to meet 45% reduction target by 2030

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1. Policy: Continue to achieve a minimum LEED Gold

certification + (new) Zero Carbon Building Standard certification for new buildings;

2. Plus a comprehensive set of new building energy conservation measures for existing buildings

Proposed Building initiatives to meet 45% reduction target by 2030

Future - Buildings

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Questions?

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Highlights - Buildings

• Bonus GHG reduction – related to a decrease in the electrical emissions factor

• Decrease by 9.6% - even though:

• Expected: Anvil Centre (278 tonnes) and City Hall (22 tonnes) to inventory

• Queens Park Greenhouse expanded

• New Moody Park Pool (43 T)

• QCC expansion (LEED Gold)

• 2017 slightly cooler year than in 2007

• The majority of the projects - upgrading inefficient boilers to high efficiency

• LEED Gold Policy adopted in 2009

QCC: High efficiency boiler

LEED Gold Design

QCC: expansion

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Continue to Update Province

• Climate Action Charter 2008 – to achieve neutrality in municipal operations

• Continue to “make progress” reporting out actions taken and update Province on our progress towards corporate carbon neutrality

– CARIP Report

(2018) City website - Environment

Achieved: Level 3 status =

Accelerating

Progress