More sidewalks and bus lanes part of city’s battle against climate change

The City of Kelowna's battle against climate change last year included the construction of 1.3 kilometres of new sidewalks.

Other city measures designed to encourage less frequent use of private vehicles were the development of new bike lanes and upgrades to 16 bus stops to make them more appealing.

Like other municipalities, Kelowna gets back 100 per cent of the carbon taxes it pays only on condition it makes efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within city limits.

Carbon taxes paid by the city in 2015 totalled $227,000.

Total greenhouse gas emissions from cityowned properties and vehicles dropped about seven per cent between 2007 and 2016, mostly because of the installation of more energy-efficient systems in large buildings such as city hall, the airport, fire halls, and recreation centres.

However, greenhouse gas emissions from city-owned properties account for only about one per cent of all GHG gases produced in Kelowna.

As in other cities, emissions from private vehicles account for about two-thirds of all greenhouse gases produced in Kelowna. Emissions from privately-owned buildings account for most of the rest.

A report going to city council on Monday says Kelowna is involved in the battle against climate change by also

- encouraging a more compact form of urban development

- selling trees and composters at subsidized rates for residents to plant in their yards

- helping orchardists to chip rather than burn agricultural debris.