Cumberland will present its proposed climate actions to help the village reach its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
Two engagement sessions will be held on May 2, from 4:30-7 p.m., at the Village Council Chambers (2675 Dunsmuir Ave.), and on May 7, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom (email planning@cumberland.ca for the meeting link).
During these sessions, residents are invited to view the proposed actions, comment on them, identify any gaps they see and share their implementation priorities. Some of the highlights from the proposed actions include:
• Support for 2050 as the target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
• Adopt the Zero Carbon Step Code and update associated policies and bylaws to require new buildings, facilities, and infrastructure to be energy efficient and zero carbon.
• Support retrofits of existing homes to clean energy use and better energy efficiency.
• Expand the availability of EV charging stations for public use.
• Complete and implement a Drought Response Plan.
• Protection of the urban forest and minimize the development of forests.
• FireSmart training for the community.
• Land use planning to reduce car dependence.
“We are reaching the final stages of our Climate Action Plan,” says Cumberland Mayor Vickey Brown. “Community participation ensures that this is truly a made-in-Cumberland solution.”
After the upcoming May engagement events, the information presented will be available at engagecomoxvalley.ca/climate-action-plan to allow those who couldn’t be there to review the proposed actions and submit comments online.
Following that, the next step will be to present the Climate Action Plan to the Council for final review and adoption.
To keep informed as the project progresses, please visit engagecomoxvalley.ca/climate-action-plan.