TAMRMS#: B09
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C-EUS-01 Environmental Sustainability Policy
Presented by: Christian Benson, Manager Environment, Utilities & Environment Department
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RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
That the Governance, Priorities and Finance Committee recommend to Council that revised policy C-EUS-01, provided as an attachment to the August 12th, 2019 Agenda Report entitled “C-EUS-01 Environmental Sustainability Policy”, be approved.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
To present proposed revisions to C-EUS-01 Environmental Sustainability Policy
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITY
Strategic Priority #6: Environmental Stewardship: Explore innovative environmental and conservation opportunities.
• 6.1 Explore integrated green utilities to reduce carbon footprint, reduce servicing costs and generate revenue.
• 6.2 Review and update existing environmental master plans (e.g., Red Willow Trail).
• 6.3 Investigate net zero residential development.
• A.5.1 Adverse Weather Resiliency - Assess and benchmark existing internal policies and standards to best practices to assess corporate risks and impacts.
ALIGNMENT TO SERVICE DELIVERY
Service Name: Environmental Strategy and Policy Development
Service Definition: In partnership with related agencies, environmental strategies, policies and actions are developed to protect the environment.
Service Component: Not applicable
Current Service Level: Not applicable
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Environmental Sustainability Policy was originally developed in 2003 with a focus on environmental compliance and avoidance of pollution. Since the development of the original policy, it has been periodically updated (2009 & 2015) to incorporate more environmental stewardship, community targets and ecologically focused objectives.
The most recent revision recommendations to the Environmental Sustainability Policy include the addition of definitions for climate mitigation, climate resiliency and performance measures related to the City’s environmental management system. Also present in the recommended revision includes acknowledging requirements for regional collaboration related to maintain habitat and wildlife corridors. Other small housekeeping updates, including CAO title and inclusion of consultants in the policy, are also suggested in the update of the policy.
As with prior revisions to the C-EUS-01 Environmental Sustainability Policy, internal stakeholders and the Environmental Advisory Committee were consulted with for the recommended revisions to this policy.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
The review of C-EUS-01 Environmental Sustainability Policy was completed by internal staff and the City’s Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC).
Over the course of two meetings (April 25 and May 23, 2019), the EAC provided review and feedback on the existing policy. On the May 23rd, 2019 meeting, the EAC voted unanimously to adopt the recommendations for the update of the C-EUS-01 Environmental Sustainability Policy (presented as attached).
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
None at this time.
Legal / Risk:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
1. The Governance, Priorities and Finance Committee could choose to further amend policy C-EUS-01 and recommend to Council approval of the revised C-EUS-01.
2. The Governance, Priorities and Finance Committee could choose not to consider the revised policy C-EUS-01 at this time.
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Report Date: August 12, 2019
Author: Christian Benson
Department: Utilities & Environment Department
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble