Jump to Climate Conversations
Bowen Island declares Climate Emergency
Research by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommends emission reductions of 45% from 2010 levels by 2030, and 100% by 2050 in order to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Metro Vancouver has set emission reduction targets of 45% from 2010 levels by 2030, and 100% by 2050 in order to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and is developing strategies to achieve the targets.
The Islands Trust has declared a Climate Emergency for the Islands Trust Area and has directed staff to recommend measures to reduce emissions and adapt to the inevitable changes in the climate.
Bowen Island will face increasingly negative impacts from a changing climate if emissions are not reduced. Council has made a declaration of Climate Emergency:
We recognize that climate change represents an emergency for Bowen Island, and commit to developing a strategy to reduce emissions in alignment with the targets to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
The Bowen Island Climate Action Strategy was adopted by Council on April 27, 2020.
Community Energy & Emissions Plan
2021 Bowen Island Community Energy and Emissions Plan
2017 CEEP Implementation Report
2016 Bowen Island Community Energy and Emissions Plan
Local Government Climate Action Reports
As a signatory to the BC Climate Action Charter, Bowen Island is required to file an annual Local Government Climate Action Report. This document lists corporate and community actions.
- Local Government Climate Action Program Report for 2023
- Local Government Climate Action Program Report for 2022
- Local Government Climate Action Program Report for 2021
- Climate Action Revenue Incentive Public Report for 2019
- Climate Action Revenue Incentive Public Report for 2018
- Climate Action Revenue Incentive Public Report for 2017
- Climate Action Revenue Incentive Public Report for 2016
- Climate Action Revenue Incentive Public Report for 2015
- Climate Action Revenue Incentive Public Report for 2011
Climate Conversations
These workshops have brought together community members, council, and invited speakers on topics related to climate action. Rough notes and presentations follow:
July 29, 2021 – Climate Conversation: Water Conservation Innovation with the Bowen Island Garden Club
Watch now
Slides from Kathy Leishman’s presentation
Slides from Kim Stephen’s presentation
May 19, 2021 – Climate Conversation with MP Patrick Weiler
Watch now
Slides from MP Patrick Weiler’s presentation
February 4, 2021 – Climate Conversation: Community Energy & Emissions Plan Update
Watch now
September 2, 2020 – Climate Conversation: Nature and Ecosystems
Wednesday September 2, 2020, 4 pm to 6 pm.
September 16, 2020 – Climate Conversation: Transportation
Wednesday September 16, 2020, 4 pm to 6 pm
October 6, 2019: Farmland Preservation and Revitalization, co-hosted with Bowen Island Food Sovereignty
September 29, 2019: Climate Emergency and the Future of Food, co-hosted with Bowen Island Food Sovereignty
- Groundwork Executive Summary
- Communication & Engagement Report (22 MB PDF)
- Agrarian Analysis (7.5 MB PDF)
March 30, 2019: Sea Level Rise Workshop presented by Living Oceans, sponsored by Islands Trust
September 7, 2018: Conservation Development
- The Future of Bowen Island (Video)
- Climate 2050 by David Hocking
- Conservation Development by John Reid
- Preserving Bowen Island Forests by John Dowler
November 5, 2017: BC Energy Step Code by James Glave
November 5, 2017: Electric Vehicle Update by James Glave
April 2, 2017: The Magic of Soils by Professor Phil Gregory
January 25, 2017: Community Energy & Emissions Plan Discussion
August 13, 2015: Feedback for Climate Leadership Team
March 3, 2016: Review of the Climate Leadership Team’s Recommendations to Government
April 4, 2016: Phil Gregory’s Presentation on Solar Panels
April 25, 2016: How We Report on Our Carbon Neutral Progress – 2015 CARIP Report Development
June 27, 2016: Heat Pumps (Video)
Resources
- Community Energy Association’s Climate Action Dashboard for BIM
- BC Climate Action Toolkit
- BC Sustainable Energy Association
- Built Green Canada
- Canada Green Building Council
- Climate Action Leadership (BC Government)
- Climate Change (BC Government)
- Electric Vehicle Rebate Promotion
- Energy Explorer
- Evergreen
- Pembina Institute
- Power Smart – BC Hydro
- Provincial Government Resource List
Municipal planning initiatives
- Bowen Island Official Community Plan Update: Towards a Sustainable Future, Consolidated version – December 2014. See Goal 4 (“To minimize Bowen Island’s contribution to global climate change”), Section 2.5 (Climate Change Mitigation), and related objectives and policies throughout.
- Bowen Island 2020 Vision and Sustainability Framework 2008 (received as info)
- Sustainability Framework Working Group Final Report
- Green Building Standards for Residential Rezoning Policy 2007
- Bowen Island Greenhouse Gas Action Plan 2007
- Bowen Island Community Energy Planning Options Report 2003
- Bowen Island Community Energy Use Profile 2002
Supportive initiatives:
- Bowen Island Food Resiliency Society – Cosmetic Pesticide Survey Results
- Recycling on the Island
- Waterscape Bowen Island
- Bowen Island Food Resiliency | KPU.ca – Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- Other Supportive Municipal Sustainability Initiatives