District of Delta, BC
Canada Mayor: George Harvie-
Population 99863
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Area 183.0km 2
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GDP N/AN/A
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Targets by N/A N/Aemission
Emissivity is best defined as the ability of a surface to radiate heat. Low E ceilings specifically deal with radiation heat transfer to the ice surface. In most community ice arenas, the radiant heat load is the single largest source of heat which the refrigeration system must remove to keep the ice at its desired temperature. By installing a Low E ceiling, the radiation from the ceiling is reduced to 3% of its maximum value, thereby reducing the radiant heat load by about 95% and the overall refrigeration heat load by 23-38%. This results in considerable electrical cost savings in operating the refrigeration plants.
Read More Read Less- Facilities
LED lighting was installed at Tilbury Ice arena and at the North Delta Recreation Centre parking lot, resulting in significant energy savings at both facilities.
Read More Read Less- Commercial
The Building and Safety Standards Branch has created a Solar Hot Water Ready Regulation that would apply only to local government jurisdictions that request inclusion. Where the regulation is applicable, all new single family homes would be required to be built to accommodate future installation of a solar hot water system for water heating. In order to be included, a local government must submit a Council resolution by August 1, 2010.
Read More Read Less- Residential
Every year a number of events are held to educate staff about energy efficiency, local food production, car sharing and sustainability.
Read More Read Less- Buildings
- Facilities
- Transport
The Corporation of Delta has provided support to deliver the Climate Smart program for local businesses and contractors. The program aims to help private businesses reduce energy, fuel, waste and carbon tax costs.
Read More Read Less- Commercial
- Industrial
- Transport
Upgrades to existing HVAC systems were completed at several municipal buildings in order to reduce GHG emissions.
Read More Read Less- Commercial
Planning and installing green infrastructure like rain gardens and permeable paving is an ongoing project in Delta. Reducing the total impervious area within the community reduces energy spent on treating storm water. The installation of green infrastructure is also an adaptation measure as it mitigates the impacts of large storm events.
Read More Read Less- Facilities
- Waste
The Invasive Plant Strategy was completed in 2015. Highlights of the strategy include prevention, mapping and inventory, early detection & rapid response, regulations, monitoring & replanting, education, and collaboration. By implementing strategy recommendations, as well as continuing the proactive and aggressive approach Delta is currently taking to manage invasive animals and plants, staff and residents may protect and conserve local biodiversity, the ecological viability of watercourses and natural areas, the recreational uses of Delta parks, and prevent damage to private property. It is expected that this strategy will be revised approximately every five years or as new information becomes available.
Read More Read Less- Transport
The Voluntary Water Meter program is for single family dwellings. Homeowners who wish to have a water meter on their service may apply for a free installation from the Corporation of Delta.
Read More Read Less- Residential
- Waste
An anaerobic digester was fully commissioned at Seabreeze Farms that generates renewable natural gas, which is injected into the FortisBC natural gas system. The process uses all of the manure and farm waste produced by the dairy farm, allowing the farmers to recover water and valuable nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen. After processing in the digester, the remaining material, known as digestate, is odourless and can be used on the fields to fertilize crops either as a dry solid or liquid “tea.” The dried digestate is worked into the soil in the spring, replacing the need to spread raw manure. Drawing off the methane for biogas production eliminates the characteristic manure odour, and capturing phosphorus prevents excess nutrient build up in the soil or run-off from the fields. In the summer, the liquid digestate is particularly useful as fresh water resources become increasingly scarce.
Read More Read Less- Buildings
- Facilities
The Delta Adaptation Strategy is the result of efforts made by provincial government, Delta Farmers' Institute, local farmers and industry association representatives. The purpose of the Strategy is to outline priority adaptation efforts for farmers, Delta, and the Province. Since the completion of the Strategy in the fall of 2013, BC Agriculture & Food Climate Action Initiative staff have secured $250,000 of the Provincial-Federal Growing Forward 2 Agreement to support implementation of priority actions as outlined in the Strategy. Work was lead by the Agriculture & Food Climate Action Initiative and the Delta Farmers' Institute with assistance from the working group comprised of select stakeholders. Year 1 projects included: a south of the Fraser study on the economic, agronomic and food production impacts of a storm surge flood event;a provincial-led on-farm emergency planning and mitigation measures program; applied on-farm drainage management options; and a communications strategy which aims to promote farming in Delta and provide information about the potential impacts of climate change to farming. Year 2 projects included: a workshop-style forum to share the study findings of Year 1 and discuss options to address identified vulnerabilities to coastal flooding, a pilot working with 5-10 producers to develop flooding preparedness and mitigation plans; and development of educational resources. Year 3 activities included: initiating a communications strategy; completing an on-farm flood hazard mitigation planning pilot exercise; and undertaking a salinity study.
Read More Read Less- Agriculture, Forest and Other Land Use (AFOLU)
The Climate Change Showdown is an interactive environmental workshop and contest for students in grades 4 to 7. In each 90-minute workshop, Environmental Educators use storytelling, a fun DVD and games to build on students’ knowledge of climate change. This program is delivered by the British Columbia Sustainable Energy Association. Following the workshop, students take home a four-week contest that encourages families to make easy but important changes to their energy consumption. Students and their families are challenged to initiate life-long behaviour changes.
After four weeks, the contests are collected and the results are converted into measurable greenhouse gas reductions. Students and classes with the most GHG savings win prizes in their region, such as bicycles, science games, and acknowledgement of their achievements at City Council meetings in their community. Delta schools participate in 10-15 Climate Change Showdown workshops each year. In 2015, a Delta school was the winner of the Climate Change Showdown.
- Residential
- Other Emissions
To reduce the carbon footprint of corporate special events, recycling stations have installed at community events.
Read More Read Less- Facilities
- Waste
The Delta Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw was adopted in 2015. The earlier tree protection bylaw, adopted in 2006, was reviewed in 2014 to determine how the bylaw could be improved to better protect trees. Highlights of the 2015 bylaw improvements include a title revision to emphasise protection rather than cutting of trees, removal of the maximum tree cutting permit fee so that developers pay their fair share, enhancing enforcement, permit display requirement, increasing the waiting time between tree cutting permits for a given property, and requiring five replacement trees for every tree cut without a permit.
Read More Read Less- Agriculture, Forest and Other Land Use (AFOLU)
In 2007, Delta Council adopted a Corporate Climate Change Initiative that had a target of reducing emissions by 20% from 2007 levels by 2015. Actual emissions were reduced from 7,411 tonnes to 5,799 tonnes over that period representing a 21% reduction and exceeding the target. This was achieved through major building retrofits, the implementation of geoexchange and solar technologies, and measures to reduce emissions from Delta’s fleet including right-sizing vehicles, use of hybrids, and extensive driver training and education.
Read More Read Less- Transport
Neighbourhood zero emission vehicles (NZEVs) are low weight (less than 1,361 kg), designed for travel on four wheels, powered by an electric motor that produces no emissions, and do not use fuel as an on-board source of energy. These low speed electric vehicles are federally regulated to travel at a maximum speed of 40 km/h on a paved, level surface.
Read More Read Less- Transport
In February 2009, Delta installed a solar hot water system on the roof of the Municipal Hall. It is estimated that over 60% of the Municipal Hall’s hot water requirements are being met through the use of the solar hot water system.
Read More Read Less- Buildings
In response to community concerns relating to landfill gas
escaping from the City of Vancouver Landfill located in Delta,
BC, a Technical Liaison Committee was formed between senior
Vancouver and Delta staff to monitor progress towards
implementing measures to mitigate community impacts and reduce GHGs. It is estimated that GHG emissions will be reduced by at least 100,000 metric tons in 2012 (from 2011 levels) as a result of new landfill gas collection infrastructure and landfill closure projects.
- Waste
The Corporation of Delta supports the delivery of two theatrical productions which educate and entertain elementary school children about climate change.
Read More Read Less- Residential
The Delta Solar Hot Water project involves significantly increasing
the size and scope of the solar system originally contemplated
for the Ladner Leisure Centre and the addition of solar hot water systems to Delta’s two outdoor pools. These systems will result in further emissions reductions equaling 33 metric tons of GHG annually. Solar hot water systems have been installed at the Ladner Leisure Centre and the Ladner Outdoor pool. The North Delta pool is undergoing extensive renovations and a solar hot water system will be put in place when renovations have been completed.
- Facilities
The Ice Plant system condenser at North Delta Recreation Centre was upgraded to a single dual-function model to save energy.
Read More Read Less- Commercial
The Green Can Program provides curbside collection of residential green waste and food waste. To promote green waste diversion from the landfill, the cost of backyard composters and kitchen containers is subsidized for residents. Free gardening workshops are offered to promote backyard composting, and the Green Can Program is promoted at community events. Waste reduction workshops are delivered to local schools, with a new special focus on green waste. Public municipal facilities are leading the way with in-house recycling stations that include food waste.
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An energy audit and efficiency study of Delta's major civic facilities was commissioned in 2009. The results of this study were used to inform the 5 year capital and maintenance plan so that energy efficiency upgrades could be made. One example of a project was a continuous optimization program for Municipal Hall.
Read More Read Less- Buildings
- Facilities
A group of young adults from the Delta School District are calling upon all students aged kindergarten to Grade 12 to be creative and design posters tackling sustainability in three areas: energy, waste and water.
Read More Read Less- Residential
Delta is committed to increasing the municipal tree canopy and taking action for positive environmental change. The Trees for Tomorrow program invites Delta homeowners to request one or two trees to be planted on municipal property immediately adjacent the side and front of their property. The homeowner chooses the tree(s) from the illustrated list of eligible trees, and as long as the chosen tree is a suitable fit for the property, Delta will purchase and plant it. Homeowners must commit to watering and maintaining the new trees after planting; this is an essential part of the program's success.
Read More Read LessThe Corporation of Delta is working on a range of floodplain adaptation works. From widening pump station forebays to accomodate fluctuating storm water levels, to prescribing new flood construction levels and to partnering with other institutions to seek out new information and new ways of communicating our activities we continue to work towards improving our communities resiliency.
Read More Read LessFunded by the Province of British Columbia, the DIEP greatly increases the capacity of Delta's agricultural irrigation system that conveys freshwater from the Fraser River to agricultural properties in Delta. The new system will draw water from further upstream in the river to avoid saltwater intake. Salinity sensors have also been installed at key points in the system to activate gates should salinity rise over a specific level.
With rising sea levels, Fraser River saltwater distribution will change; an abundant source of reliably fresh water will help farmers adapt to climate change.
The Delta Adaptation Strategy is the result of efforts made by provincial government, Delta Farmers' Institute, local farmers and industry association representatives. The purpose of the Strategy is to outline priority adaptation efforts for farmers, Delta, and the Province as appropriate.
Read More Read LessThe John Oliver Pump Station underwent a major upgrade as part of flood protection works. Dike improvement works also took place to improve flood protection and resiliency for Delta with respect to changing weather patterns and rising sea levels. The pump station
and dike around the pump station were constructed at a higher elevation than the existing station to allow for rising sea levels. Fish friendly pumps were also installed. Funding for the project was provided by the Government of Canada, Province of BC and Delta.
To assist with the development of an appropriate flood risk management policy, Delta partnered with the Collaborative for Advanced Landscape Planning at the University of British Columbia (CALP-UBC). Together, we asked what does the future look like in terms of flooding and flood management solutions? Using data from the university, Delta and B.C., CALP-UBC created visualizations of the community and of a range of adaptation solutions.
Read More Read Less- Human health
Burns Bog is a large raised bog wetland located in the middle of Delta. It was mined for 80yrs and portions of it have been developed for agricultural, commercial and industrial operations. 2800ha of bogland has been preserved and is the subject of research and restoration. The bog is globally unique in it\'s size, chemistry, fauna and floral. In a future with climate change this precious wetland may experience greater drought and fire conditions. The Corporation of Delta, along with Metro Vancouver, are actively making efforts to restore the bog and enhance it\'s resiliency to future uncertainty.
Read More Read LessTo bring attention to the decline in bees throughout North America and to improve pollination within our community, mason bee boxes have been installed at Rotary Park, Diefenbaker Park and Ernie Burnett Park (located off of Ferry Road and Brigantine Road in Ladner) and the Delta Nature Reserve (located adjacent to the sunken tractor).
Read More Read LessMayor George HarvieDistrict of Delta, BC, Canada
