Craig Broderick, manager of current planning, and Barbara Everdene, long range planner, accept a PIBC Gold Award on behalf of the City of Vernon during the PIBC Annual Conference on July 6. (Photo  credit: City of Vernon)

By Liam Verster

Climate Action Plan Award

Work to create Vernon’s Climate Action Plan earns award

Jul 7, 2022 | 11:00 AM

The City of Vernon’s work to establish and launch a climate change plan has been recognized with a provincial award.

Vernon was selected for a Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC) Gold award in the Excellence in Policy Planning, Small Town and Rural Communities category.

“It was a tough year with a competitive field of submissions, and Vernon’s stood out among them as a great example for the planning profession,” said David Block, PIBC President.

The City of Castlegar received silver in the same category for its housing strategy.

Vernon City Council endorsed the Climate Action Plan in April 2021, which set out a path to enhance community social and economic resilience to anticipated climate impacts, while also helping address the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change’s goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

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The city stated that the Climate Action Plan and engagement process used to create it has become a model for other communities in the Okanagan and British Columbia to follow.

“I’m proud to see our community’s Climate Action Plan profiled to a provincial audience and earning some well-deserved praise,” said Acting Mayor Brian Quiring.

“As a community, we’ve already rolled up our sleeves and are starting to implement the plan with initiatives such as our curbside organics collection program and increased use of electric vehicles and small wheeled devices. However, there are many more calls to action in the plan and a role for everyone to play, to help us become a more sustainable community.”

PIBC recognizes a diverse range of planning work undertaken by communities across B.C. and the Yukon each year.

Other communities recognized this year were New Westminster, Port Alberni, Coquitlum, Saanich and Prince Rupert. Outside of Vernon and Castlegar, there were no communities in the Interior honoured with a PIBC award.