WHEREAS numerous BC local governments have committed to be Carbon Neutral by 2012 by signing the Climate Action Charter; AND WHEREAS there are limited provincial financial assistance programs and loan arrangements to help local governments, especially small BC communities, to reach their carbon neutrality goals: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM lobby the Province of BC to develop more financial assistance programs and loan arrangements to assist local governments, especially small BC communities, in achieving 2012 Climate Action Charter commitments.
Ministry of Environment, Climate Action Secretariat The Province recognizes the leadership commitment made by BC local governments by signing onto the BC Climate Action Charter and recognizes the challenges and opportunities that exist in meeting these commitments. The joint Provincial-UBCM Green Communities Committee GCC was created under the Climate Action Charter to assist local governments in achieving their commitments. The GCC works with local governments to provide tools and to develop guidance and materials to assist signatories in making progress on their commitments. In addition to GCC support the Provincial Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program CARIP, a conditional grant program, provides funding to Climate Action Charter signatories equivalent to 100 percent of the carbon taxes they pay directly. This funding supports local governments in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move forward on achieving their Charter goals.