Caring for our environment and preparing for the future 

Our community is united in caring for our land, water and air, supporting local farmers, and building our resilience to wildfires and drought, all while considering affordability. 

The RDCK supports a variety of sustainability initiatives that reflect our community’s shared values. These efforts can be found across all RDCK departments, such as resource recovery, land use and community planning, fire services, water services, and administration.

Below, you can explore ongoing efforts specific to the RDCK Community Sustainability department:

The RDCK Board is committed to reducing greenhouse gases, promoting renewable energy, supporting local food production, enhancing water conservation and source protection, encouraging active transportation, and increasing affordable housing. 

To achieve these goals, the RDCK collaborates with residents, its seven departments, and the Board, using its assets—relationships, infrastructure, funds, policy, staff, and administrative functions—to identify best practices and support regional sustainability efforts.  

The RDCK has made the following commitments that support this vision: 

• Signing the BC Climate Action Charter
• 100% Renewable Energy by 2050
• Reduce 50% of carbon pollution by 2030 and 100% by 2050

Provincial programs supporting RDCK operations

• Clean BC & the Roadmap to 2030

The RDCK’s sustainability vision stems from the 2009 Integrated Community Sustainable Planning (ICSP) process, known as SustainABLE Central Kootenay. This initiative engaged citizens in a dialogue about regional sustainability and has shaped ongoing discussions. 

The vision, informed by community input, includes jurisdiction-specific statements and greenhouse gas backgrounders, promoting continued dialogue on aligning RDCK services with long-term regional goals. The project identified seven priority themes: 

• Economic Development 

• Health and Social Well-being 

• Energy and Climate Change 

• Water Protection & Advocacy 

• Transportation 

• Natural Areas 

• Food and Agriculture 

SustainABLE Central Kootenay also set emission targets that guide future actions. The RDCK continues advancing sustainability through collaboration, a shared vision, and the integration of ecological, social, and economic values.