Sooke 2030 Climate Action Plan Implementation Year-in-Review, written summary for 2023

The Sooke District Council approved the 2023 Climate Action Project list on March 17, 2023, with a strategic focus on maximizing a $135,000 Provincial contribution and optimizing District resources, which included $17,000 and human resources.

Key actions from a human resource perspective included collaboration with the CRD Climate Action Team; organizational shifts to mobilize social, environmental and economic co-benefits into how we operate; hiring a Manager of Community Planning; and launching a Climate Action Seed Funding Program to meaningfully engage the community.

In the eight months since initiation, the District achieved a 95% mobilization on the identified initiatives, with the outstanding item being a delayed report on corporate building emissions due to resource availability.

It is important to note that the 2024 Budget What We Heard Report indicated that top priorities for Sooke residents were the ability to safely walk or bike around town, health and wellness, and environmental protection. However, climate action and reducing GHG emissions were lower on the priority list. While this highlights the polarization of this topic, it is important to recognize that the former are solutions to the latter.

The efforts of collaboration with the CRD Climate Action Team resulted in comprehensive GHG inventories, increased promotion of the Home Navigator Program and engagement with local schools through the Cool It! Climate Leadership Program, among other initiatives.

Specific to the Community Climate Action Seed Funding Program, through this program we engaged over 2,000 people, connected with 50 community champions, and hosted more than 15 events. Noteworthy initiatives included water sustainability pop-ups, support for the Sooke Country Market, and enhancements to parks through tree planting and events.

In 2023, youth education programs focused on invasive species removal and FireSmart stewardship.

The District also joined the BC Bird Trail to promote Sooke as a birdwatching destination and foster the connection people have with our natural environment.

Additionally, we expanded our broom-busting program which resulted in 20 dump trucks worth of invasive species removed and keenly helping FireSmart our community.

An Active Routes to School Program is being piloted with Poirier Elementary as we look to support families explore alternative transportation modes and/or make use of neighbouring meeting spots which can help save them time, in particular during busy morning drop-offs.

Admittedly, this high-level summary does not do the work of our Plan implementation to date justice. To watch a presentation on our year-in-review, please join us for the Regular Council Meeting on Monday, January 22, 2024. The meeting begins at 7pm in Council Chambers at Sooke Municipal Hall. If you cannot make it in person, it will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel with a recording available after the meeting.