Climate Action

Coquitlam is committed to taking action on climate change by promoting practices that reduce greenhouse gases and conserve energy both corporately and within the broader community. Coquitlam is also taking action to prepare for and adapt to climate change towards maintaining sustainable service delivery to its residents. The City approved its first Environmental Sustainability Plan (ESP) in January 2022, which includes Climate Action as one of five key themes.

Energy Efficient Upgrades

Check out the energy efficiency upgrades available to homeowners to decrease energy usage and make your home more comfortable. 

Climate Action Plan

The City of Coquitlam is working towards new targets, outlined in the 2022 Environmental Sustainability Plan, to reduce carbon pollution (greenhouse gas emissions) across the community and city operations. 

To help us achieve these targets, the City is developing a Climate Action Plan that will provide a roadmap to advance strategic and equitable climate action across the community. This plan will support the actions needed to reduce Coquitlam’s carbon pollution, increase energy efficiency and realize community resiliency and sustainability co-benefits such as health, equity, biodiversity, and economic gains. While this plan lays out a pathway towards 2050, it will mostly focus on the next 10 years and will be updated as new technology and information emerges. Learn more and get involved today.

Difference Between Climate Mitigation and Climate Adaptation

Climate mitigation is efforts to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such as:

  • Creating complete communities
  • Energy efficient equipment
  • Renewable energy
  • Sustainable transportation
  • Waste diversion
  • Water/energy conservation

Climate adaptation is actions to adapt services and infrastructure to changing climate conditions, such as: 

  • Disaster management and business continuity
  • Flood protection
  • Infrastructure and building design
  1. Climate Mitigation
  2. Climate Adaptation
  3. Public Reports

Corporate and Community Climate Action Targets

Since signing the B.C. Climate Action Charter in 2007, the City has steadily worked towards achieving its climate action goals, both corporately and community-wide. Through the Environmental Sustainability Plan, the City set new targets for corporate and community GHG emissions reduction:

  • reducing GHG emissions by 45% of 2007 levels by 2030
  • achieving carbon neutrality by 2050

In addition, Coquitlam is acting to reduce the impacts of a changing climate by implementing the Climate Adaptation Strategic Plan to address climate risks and advancing risk mitigation strategies and actions.

Corporate Actions to Reduce GHG Emissions

The City actively identifies and implements conservation measures to fulfill the City’s corporate Climate Action commitments. The City prioritizes efficiency and optimization in its facility operations and monitors building energy performance. GHG reduction measures include:

  • Anti-idling bylaw
  • Anti-idling policy for fleet vehicles
  • Electric fleet vehicles
  • High-efficiency boilers and domestic water heaters
  • LED lighting for sports fields, facilities, and streets
  • Recycling and organic waste diversion program in civic facilities
  • Two energy-sharing (Thermenex) systems at Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex and City Centre Campus
  • Waste heat recovery systems

Community Actions to Reduce GHG Emissions

The City is actively working on measures to reduce GHG emissions in the community. The following initiatives support the community Climate Action targets:

  • Area plans designed to create compact, mixed-use, transit-oriented development with excellent walkability.
  • Planting native trees/shrubs to restore and enhance forest habitat.
  • Public education and workshops for residential solid waste separation. Enforcement of cross-contamination to ensure high rate of waste diversion.
  • Transportation actions include:
    • Requirements for electric vehicle charging infrastructure
    • Expansion of sidewalk infrastructure
    • Expansion of car-sharing
    • Traffic signal coordination
    • Planning for transit service expansion
  • Water conservation initiatives such as pipe leak detection, rain barrel sales, and water wise kits.

Climate Action at Home and Work

Residents often ask about what they can do to reduce their carbon footprint. The good news is that many actions are low cost or free. Focus on the following areas to reduce your impact:

Energy

Turn off unused lights, unplug chargers and lower your thermostat. Opt for efficiency when purchasing new lights and appliances. Ready for a home energy makeover? Visit our Energy Efficient Upgrades webpage for details and resources. 

Transportation

Walk, bike or take transit whenever possible. When purchasing a new vehicle, consider an electric or low polluting vehicle. Visit Go Electric BC for information on electric vehicle rebates.

Waste

Recycle, reuse and compost! Learn more about how to separate your waste.

Food

Choose local, organic, and in-season food. Reduce the amount of meat you consume and choose sustainable seafood. Visit Metro Vancouver’s Love Food Hate Waste to learn how to shop and store food efficiently.