Local governments have an extraordinary opportunity to address the big, challenging priorities of British Columbians:
- Cost of Living
- Health Care
- Climate Change
- Housing
- Economy
- Safety
- Transportation and Congestion
Local governments’ primary authority is land use. According to the International Panel on Climate Change, smart land use has the potential to reduce GHG emissions in urban transportation 20-50%. Transportation is B.C.’s largest and fastest growing emission sector, driven in part by unsustainable urban land use.
According to the IPCC, smart urban land use is the most important strategy wedge for advancing a wide range of other public priorities.
Renewable Cities has created a local election candidates’ guide with six strategies that support better community and better climate.
Rapidly advancing “compact complete communities” all local governments and the B.C. government have committed to under the 2007 Climate Action Charter can address climate change, housing, health, safety and congestion while actually reducing public and private spending.