Background Information

Sustainable energy and emission management is not a fundamental departure from Nelson's past and present. This Plan builds on the City's complete, compact, highly-liveable character, heritage building preservation, and a historic commitment to energy security that began more than a century ago with the establishment of its own hydro-electric utility.

This plan will build on and be informed by the City's proposed Path to 2040 Sustainability Strategy as a guiding framework and will complement the Corporate Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan completed in 2010.

Objectives of the Plan

The Plan will serve as a blueprint for energy savings and greenhouse gas reduction for the community, and meet the following objectives:

• Exceed the City's regulatory requirement under Bill 27 to establish greenhouse gas reduction targets and policies and actions for achieving these targets in its Official Community Plan;
• Build on and make recommendations to existing City policies and plans so as to best integrate climate and energy into ongoing municipal business activity;
• Develop appropriate targets and strategies for community-wide GHG reduction and community energy use, as well as sector-specific targets that will guide implementation and support monitoring; and
• Establish a clear implementation path that identifies specific tasks for City departments and community partners, as well as action opportunities for individuals, and private, public and non-profit players.

Community Engagement

The Plan relies on the community's most critical resource - its entrepreneurial residents, businesses, community organizations, regional utilities, and public institutions. To develop and implement a Plan that resonates with the community, Council and staff worked closely with stakeholders and the public. A series of events for stakeholders and the public were held in December and February of 2010, building on input that has shaped the Path to 2040 Sustainability Strategy.