COQUITLAM, B.C., Sept. 12, 2023 – Coquitlam is delivering on commitments to protect and enhance the natural environment, and to prepare for the impacts of our changing climate.
Staff from the City’s environment team recently provided Council a status update on the implementation of two key plans: the Environmental Sustainability Plan and the Climate Adaptation Strategic Plan. Overall, there has been significant advancement in both plans, which build on more than a decade of climate action and sustainability work.
Environmental Sustainability Plan – First Year Highlights
Coquitlam’s Environmental Sustainability Plan, approved by Council in 2022, lays out a flexible framework to guide decisions and ensure the long-term resiliency and sustainability of the community. The Plan is organized into five themes, each with their own goals and detailed actions: Climate Action, Built Environment, Waste Management, Water Management and Natural Areas, Wildlife and Habitat.
In the first year of implementation, Coquitlam achieved significant progress with a focus on the “Top 10” priority actions for 2022, which were deemed critical to the City’s environmental goals. Out of the 135 actions identified in the Environmental Sustainability Plan, 98 (72%) are underway, with 11 (8%) already completed by the end of 2022.
Notable achievements in the first year include:
- Passing an E-Scooter Pilot Bylaw and launching a shared E-scooter and E-bike Pilot Program to reduce carbon emissions and encourage active transportation.
- Approving a plan to renew and expand Spani Pool that will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and result in energy cost savings.
- Expanding the City-Wide Garage Sale to a twice annual event that promotes item reuse and a circular economy.
- Meeting the City’s goal of planting 10,000 trees in 2022 to enhance the urban forest and capture carbon.
2023 Priorities for Environmental Sustainability
Sixteen priority actions have been confirmed as the focus for 2023, with implementation well underway. These actions encompass multi-year projects such as the upcoming development of a Climate Action Plan and an Urban Forest Management Plan, as well as ongoing initiatives, such as the implementation of the BC Energy Step Code and the implementation of the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan.
Climate Adaptation Strategic Plan Implementation Highlights
Coquitlam’s Climate Adaptation Strategic Plan, approved by Council in 2020, focuses on the City's response to climate change impacts, and identifies seven high-impact climate risks: droughts, wildfires, heatwaves, drinking water shortages, coastal flooding, inland flooding, and storm events.
Initiatives in support of this plan have progressed successfully, with priority going to addressing high to moderate climate risks. Key highlights include:
- A hydrogeological assessment to identify groundwater sources to reduce the use of drinking water supplies for park irrigation.
- Using a grant from the UBCM FireSmart Community Funding and Supports to support community wildfire preparedness.
- Enhancing filtration capabilities at a number of City facilities to better prepare for and respond to heat waves and wildfire smoke.
2023 Priorities for Climate Adaptation
Fourteen priority climate adaptation initiatives have been confirmed for implementation in 2023, with significant progress being made in the first half of the year. Some of the priorities for 2023 include:
- Continuing to work with Fraser Basin Council on a flood protection strategy across municipalities.
- Reducing residential and corporate water consumption through the implementation of the Enhanced Water Conservation Strategy.
- Developing a plan to systematically monitor urban tree canopy and identify areas for action.
- Assessing and upgrading sewer system capabilities, including green infrastructure.
Coquitlam’s Commitment to Climate Action
Coquitlam is committed to taking action on climate change by promoting practices that reduce greenhouse gases and conserve energy, both at the City and within the community.
Coquitlam’s Climate Adaptation Strategic Plan augments more than a decade of City climate action. This has included signing the Climate Action Charter in 2007, advocating for the world’s governments to lower GHG emissions, using low carbon and energy efficient technologies in our civic buildings, and initiating programs such as monitoring energy use in buildings, staff education, energy-sharing systems, LED lighting, and a growing “Ecofleet” of electric, hybrid and right-sized vehicles.
The City also fosters climate action in the community by establishing energy efficiency requirements through the BC Energy Step Code for new building permit applications, energy efficiency rebate programs, adopting anti-idling regulations and a growing electric vehicle charging network (see coquitlam.ca/evcharging). For more information about the City’s climate action work, visit coquitlam.ca/ClimateAction.
Coquitlam’s Environmental Sustainability Plan
In January 2022 Coquitlam finalized an Environmental Sustainability Plan that guides the City’s decisions and ensures the long-term resiliency and sustainability of the community. The Plan is organized into five themes: Climate Action, Built Environment, Waste Management, Water Management and Natural Areas, Wildlife and Habitat. The implementation plan includes a list of 135 actions, prioritized annually. Learn more at coquitlam.ca/EnviroPlan.
Media contact:
Caresse Selk
Manager Environment
604-927-3536
cselk@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.