The District of Coldstream is one of 180 BC municipalities that signed the Climate Action Charter, pledging to be operationally carbon neutral by 2013. The District has measured its emissions associated with municipal operations, reduced emissions where possible and offset what the municipality was been unable to reduce.

“The District of Coldstream has worked hard to reach the goal of being Carbon Neutral.  This initiative will help to ensure that we become a more sustainable community. I am glad that we have reached this point and will continue to seek new initiatives for the betterment of our community,” says Mayor Jim Garlick.

As well as offsetting carbon emissions, the District also implemented reduction initiatives, including:

• Development of a Civic Building Action Plan;
• Development of a Fuel Efficient Action Plan;
• Development of a Green Infrastructure Plan;
• Adopt the Solar-Ready Initiative;
• Install solar panels on the old Fire Hall;
• Acquire a hybrid vehicle;
• Adopt a Tax Revitalization Program to support Sustainability Initiatives.

“Maintaining Carbon Neutral status is an important step in ensuring that individuals, corporations and governments at every level do their part in reducing the impacts of Climate Change,” says Michael Stamhuis, Chief Administrative Officer.