Local government climate action highlights

These success stories demonstrate the ongoing climate action leadership and experiences of communities across the province in transportation, buildings, community-wide and corporate initiatives, and adaptation and resilience. 

The initiatives listed on this page are supported by a variety of funding sources and are not exclusively or necessarily funded by the Province.

Stories are sourced from local governments and Modern Treaty Nations via the annual Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) survey and the submission form.

To send in a success story, please use the Local government climate action success stories submission form (DOCX, 27KB).

On this page

• Transportation
• Buildings
• Community-wide and corporate initiatives
• Adaptation and resilience

Transportation

Inter-regional public bus service

Nanaimo Regional District and Cowichan Valley Regional District

In 2022, the Regional District of Nanaimo and the Cowichan Valley Regional District partnered with BC Transit to introduce a much anticipated inter-regional bus service. This express transit service connects key stops between the two regions, providing an efficient and affordable public travel option.

In 2024, a new stop was added in the community of Oyster Bay to support access to the route by Stz’uminus First Nation. Designed to improve accessibility, the service addresses the needs of seniors, students and youth, low-income residents, and individuals with limited access to private vehicles. It also supports those who choose public transit to reduce their carbon footprint. By linking communities and facilitating access to jobs, education, services, and social opportunities, this initiative enhances regional connectivity and promotes sustainable transportation options.

Agnes Street Greenway

City of New Westminster

The Agnes Street Greenway, officially opened in June 2023, represents a transformative project in New Westminster’s active transportation and sustainability strategies. This innovative greenway was made possible through $2.12 million in funding from TransLink and an additional $500,000 from the B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program. It features a wide range of community-focused enhancements, including two-way protected cycling lanes, newly planted trees, rain gardens to manage stormwater, a dog parklet, and public amenities like bike racks, seating, and a misting station. Improvements to sidewalks and intersections further enhance accessibility and safety. By integrating green infrastructure and promoting active transportation, the project advances the city’s climate action goals while creating vibrant and functional public spaces. 

Electric vehicle charging expansion

Capital Regional District

In 2023, the Capital Regional District (CRD) continued to expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging network, installing 54 new chargers across 13 sites. This initiative, supported by funding from the federal Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, and  the City of Victoria, involves the installation of an additional 60 chargers for public and fleet use. Recognizing the need for broader community involvement, the CRD developed and distributed guidelines to assist landowners and businesses in establishing public charging stations. This expansion supports the growing adoption of EVs, reduces reliance on fossil fuels and helps the region achieve its low-carbon transportation goals.

Coordinated land use and transportation planning

Kelowna Council

In 2022, Kelowna Council endorsed both its Official Community Plan (OCP) and Transportation Master Plan, which, for the first time, were developed in tandem to ensure coordinated land use and transportation planning. Kelowna's OCP supports the creation of more complete, compact communities by:

• Utilizing a unique district-based approach, providing each district with its own policies that speak to the unique context and approach to accommodating growth
• Including a pillar to "stop planning new suburban neighbourhoods." This signals that, beyond what is already approved, there will be no new expansion beyond the Permanent Growth Boundary
• Directing 73 percent of future residential growth to Urban Centres and the Core Area
• Identifying a network of "Transit Supportive Corridors" where more housing and jobs will be focused. These corridors will connect major employment hubs and the fastest growing areas with improved transit service
• Signaling more opportunities for residential infill and redevelopment across the Core Area to:
  • Increase housing variety while allowing compact growth
  • Protect critical agricultural lands
  • Position the City of Kelowna to address its infrastructure deficit
• Providing flexibility in the Core Area for a variety of housing types and other key ingredients for great neighbourhoods, such as small-scale commercial opportunities and institutional uses
• Accommodating 76 percent of new residential growth in multi-unit buildings

Charge North Level 2 EV charging network

North Coast Regional District

The North Coast Regional District, in partnership with the Community Energy Association and partnering local governments, began charging infrastructure installations for the Charge North Level 2 EV charging network for north and central B.C. in 2022.

The initiative received federal and provincial funding through the CleanBC Communities Fund and includes the following desired outcomes:

• Reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from transportation
• Increase the amount of charging stations in the region
• Make EV ownership feasible and accelerate the adoption of low-emission vehicles in the region
• Support economic development and tourism

Active transportation corridor

qathet Regional District

In 2021, the qathet Regional District (qRD) completed a five-kilometre active transportation route connecting Powell River's urban centre to Electoral Area B. The route, adjacent to the highway, gives locals a safe and reliable route for biking, walking and other means of transport and includes a pedestrian bridge that crosses Myrtle Creek. This new connecting route lowers GHG emissions by providing a safe alternative to driving a personal vehicle. The qRD partnered with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and the project was supported through gas tax funding.

In 2022, the qRD worked with BC Transit to increase and expand the region’s rural-paratransit service (a service to supplement fixed-route mass transit by providing individualized rides without fixed routes or timetables) and continues to explore future service expansion opportunities. 

Buildings

Energy-efficient mass timber city hall

City of Armstrong

In 2023, Armstrong completed construction of a new energy-efficient city hall, replacing a 100-year-old facility. The modern building integrates mass timber construction, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, and lighting timers to reduce energy consumption. The landscape design uses native drought resistant plants, reducing water usage, providing habitat for pollinators and ensuring resilience to a changing climate. This project reflects the city’s commitment to sustainable municipal infrastructure and energy-conscious design. 

Energy-efficient housing

Nisga'a Nation

In 2023, the Nisga’a Nation completed 10 new housing units constructed to Step 4 of the BC Energy Step Code. These homes were designed to significantly reduce energy consumption, supporting long-term affordability for residents while aligning with provincial energy efficiency goals. Complementing this effort, the Nisga’a Retrofit Program continues to enhance the energy performance of existing residences, ensuring the broader community benefits from reduced energy use and improved living conditions. This initiative reflects the Nation's leadership in fostering eco-friendly and resilient housing.

Zero Carbon Step Code and BC Energy Step Code leadership

City of Nanaimo

In 2023, the City of Nanaimo became the first municipality in B.C. to accelerate both the Zero Carbon Step Code and the upper steps of the BC Energy Step Code, a landmark achievement in sustainable construction. This action advances energy and emissions performance standards for Part 9 Buildings (homes and small buildings) and Part 3 Buildings (large buildings such as hotels and apartment buildings). As of July 1, 2024, all buildings subject to the Zero Carbon Step Code must adhere to the top tier of the Zero Carbon Step Code - Zero Carbon Performance Level. As of January 1, 2026, Part 3 Buildings subject to the BC Energy Step Code will need to meet Step 3 of the BC Energy Step Code, which is approximately 40 percent more energy efficient than the basic code. These policies demonstrate Nanaimo’s proactive approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in urban development while setting an example for other municipalities. Community Energy Association acknowledged this leadership through awarding City of Nanaimo their 2024 Climate Energy & Action Award. 

Advancing the BC Energy Step Code

City of Nelson

In 2020, the City of Nelson amended the City Building Bylaw to accelerate the adoption of the BC Energy Step Code. They required new residential buildings to meet a higher Step Code standard (Step 3) and introduced a Step Code standard (Step 2) for complex developments.

In 2021, the City of Nelson initiated the Low Carbon Homes Pilot to determine if higher Step Code levels could be achieved without increasing embodied carbon emissions. They discovered that constructing highly energy-efficient, low embodied carbon homes was possible and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Step Code.

In 2023, the City of Nelson amended their Building Bylaw to mandate that all new residential buildings must meet either:

• Step 4 of the BC Energy Step Code, or
• Step 3 of the BC Energy Step Code alongside EL-3 of the new BC Zero Carbon Step Code

Community-wide and corporate initiatives

Eelgrass meadows restoration

Ka:'yu:'k't'h' / Che: k'tles7et'h' First Nations (KCFN)

In 2023, KCFN-Kyuquot completed an extensive assessment of eelgrass meadows to identify areas most needing restoration. Eelgrass meadows play a critical role in marine ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, stabilizing sediment, and sequestering carbon—all of which support food sovereignty and cultural preservation. The study highlighted ?Otso:s as a priority for restoration. From once a lush underwater habitat, historical industrial activities such as log dumping degraded this intertidal area of Hankin Cove, on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island, to a barren ground with no remaining eelgrass shoots.  

After a year of project planning, restoration efforts in 2024 involved selecting optimal transplant donor sites and methods to re-establish this vital ecosystem. KCFN Witwaak (Stewardship), KCFN youth, and external expertise collectively transplanted 3,665 shoots at ?Otso:s covering a subtidal area of over 300 square meters.  

The project not only restores habitat for marine species but also strengthens the coastline's resilience to erosion and climate impacts, demonstrating the importance of preserving natural environments and assets to mitigate human activity's long-term effects.

Creating a complete compact walkable community

City of Delta

In 2023, Delta moved forward with a number of projects to support the development of complete, compact, walkable communities including conducting a city-wide Complete Communities Program assessment with provincial funding. Delta also moved forward with the Ladner Village Revitalization project to create a vibrant, sustainable urban centre. The Ladner project encourages mixed-use development, reduces motor vehicle parking requirements, and promotes active transportation and public transit use. Along with other initiatives, the project improves urban functionality while maintaining Delta's unique character and sustainability goals. The Home Suite Home Program encourages homeowners to add secondary suites, increasing housing options. The city is also implementing housing diversity targets, including allowing small-scale multi-unit housing on single-detached and duplex lots as well as updating the Delta Agricultural Plan (PDF, 2MB) which strengthens urban containment boundaries to protect farmland.

Demolition waste reduction

District of North Vancouver

In 2023, the District of North Vancouver implemented its groundbreaking Demolition Waste Reduction Bylaw that helps reduce the amount of demolition waste sent to landfill. The bylaw applies to the demolition of single-family homes built before 1950 and requires applicants to salvage 3.5 kg (2.6 board feet) of reclaimed lumber per square foot of the finished floor space during demolition. For example, a house with 2,000 sq ft of finished floor area would have a wood salvage requirement of 7,000 kg. By reducing the amount of demolition waste sent to landfills, this initiative helps conserve resources, reduce emissions, and sets a precedent for sustainable building practices in the region.  

The initiative also supports the shift towards a more circular economy.

Equity and community climate action

City of Kamloops

Adopted in 2021, the City of Kamloops' Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) commits to evaluating opportunities and challenges for equity and climate justice upon implementation. As the climate crisis affects people differently, staff seek to design, implement, and promote climate action measures that target the barriers faced by those most impacted by climate change (for example, by promoting income-qualifying rebates for home energy retrofits).

Social and Community Development staff are engaged with local social services agencies on climate issues such as heat response measures.

Climate and Sustainability staff work collaboratively with the local Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc staff on climate action and updates.

Local economic development and business groups were part of the CCAP advisory, and an economic analysis was undertaken to provide insight into employment creation opportunities that could result from climate action. 

Adaptation and resilience

Climate lens integration

City of Colwood

In 2023, the City of Colwood took a major step toward embedding sustainability into governance by introducing a Climate Implications section in all council reports. This section ensures that climate impacts are considered in every municipal decision. To support staff, a detailed guide was created to outline how to assess and communicate these implications effectively. This initiative is part of a broader plan to implement a Climate Lens Framework, which will further integrate sustainability into city planning and operations. By prioritizing climate considerations, Colwood is fostering a culture of environmentally responsible policymaking.

Neighbourhood emergency preparedness

Central Kootenay Regional District

The Central Kootenay Regional District expanded its Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program which is intended to support neighbours to connect and build resiliency within their neighbourhood. During a disaster, neighbours can be the most reliable and immediate source of help, until assistance from first responders arrives. The program encourages residents to collaborate with neighbors in developing localized emergency plans that address shared risks and vulnerabilities. By equipping participants with tools and resources to move beyond individual preparedness, the program strengthens the capacity of neighborhoods to respond effectively during emergencies. This initiative enhances community resilience, fosters mutual support, and strengthens disaster recovery coordination. 

Community wildfire resilience plan

Uchucklesaht Tribe Government

In 2021, Uchucklesaht Tribe Government developed a community wildfire resilience plan to improve safety and reduce risk of property damage from wildfires, which has been exacerbated by climate change. The community has implemented recommendations from this plan, including landscape buffering and FireSmart education.

Sustainable asset management

City of North Vancouver