Regional district not buying carbon credits

Arthur Williams - Prince George Free Press Published: December 28, 2009 10:00 AM
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George has backed away from purchasing carbon offsets to achieve carbon neutrality 2012. In June the board reviewed the initial draft of a new climate change action plan. The plan committed the district to a 15 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2012 and to purchase offsets for the remaining emissions. By 2020 the district is committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent. "This particular draft has taken a step back from that," district administrator Jim Martin said. "The plan itself doesn't commit us to buy offsets. It says we may buy offsets." In June district directors raised concerns about purchasing offsets from the Pacific Carbon Trust - an agency formed by the Union of B.C. Municipalities to buy and sell carbon offsets from local governments. Until the details of how "cap and trade" regulation will work B.C. are available, it is premature to commit to buying carbon offsets, Martin said.

Directors previously suggested that money could be spent on local offset projects, rather than purchased from the trust. The regional district, as a corporate entity, produces approximately 1,020 tonnes of carbon dioxide (or equivalent) per year. Approximately half of that comes from the operation of the district's fleet and buildings. Retrofits to the district's buildings could be done for approximately $200,000, paid out of the The improvements would reduce emissions by approximately 94 tonnes per year and save the district $34,000 per year in utility costs. Developing an anti-idling policy, purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles and developing a fuel monitoring system could save 3,000 L of gasoline and 4,500 L of diesel per year – reducing emissions by 20 tonnes per year. "It just makes good financial sense," Martin said.

Only municipalities which participate in the Climate Action Charter are eligible for carbon tax rebates, he added, "If we don't act on climate change, not only will our long-term costs increase, our human quality of life will decrease," director Debora Munoz said. The revised plan was approved unanimously by the board of directors, with the exception of director Bob Headrick. "I'm not 100 per cent sold on this green thing," Headrick said. "I think we should be very cautious with this." The carbon tax is being paid by local residents and businesses, he said. Headrick said leaving that money in the pockets of taxpayers to deal with climate change on a personal level, if they choose, would be a better option. "Who put the money in the pot? People did. I think we should leave it up to them to spend it. They know what's best."