RDCK shares public engagement results on draft Climate Action Plan
February 16, 2024
Nelson, BC: Results from the Regional District of Central Kootenay’s (RDCK) public engagement process on the draft Climate Action Plan are now available and have been provided to the Board. The RDCK received 3,518 comments on the draft plan during the engagement period from April to October 2023.
“Thank you to everyone who came to our events, connected with our team and shared their thoughts on the draft Climate Action Plan,” said Paris Marshall Smith, RDCK Sustainability Planner. “There has been some polarization around the plan, and we are pleased to see the shared values that have emerged through the engagement process. These shared values include the importance of ensuring we have clean air and water, protecting our ability to grow food in our communities, being prepared for the changes to the climate that are coming and creating solutions that reflect our rural way of life.”
Residents had opportunities to provide feedback through a series of 20 open houses, a survey, dialogue circle conversations, emails, letters, webinars, an online discussion board, and Community Ambassador outreach at community events. The public engagement results highlighted:
- Concerns with the engagement process, communications, and affordability;
- Desires for freedom of choice, a local perspective, and support for farmers;
- Cautions around building regulations and electric vehicles; and
- Interest in improved transit/active transportation, emergency preparedness, water stewardship, renewable energy, and grid resilience.
“Following our extensive community engagement process, we are looking forward to moving on to the next phase with the draft Climate Action Plan and continuing to strengthen our local resilience,” said Stuart Horn, RDCK Chief Administrative Officer.
The draft RDCK Climate Action Plan is a list of ways the RDCK could support our community in reducing carbon pollution and its impacts on our communities. Many of the actions are already underway. The provincial and federal governments require the RDCK to take the lead on some of the actions, such as capturing methane at landfills. Additional actions underway, but that the RDCK is not regulated to take, previously went to the RDCK Board for approval. An example of these actions includes enhancing the Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program. The remainder of the actions are new ideas for consideration.
For more information, visit https://www.rdck.ca/EN/main/services/sustainability-environmental-initiatives/climate-action/get-involved.html.
Click here to view a print-friendly PDF version.
The content on this page was last updated February 16 2024 at 12:42 AM