The Goals of the Climate Action Committee

NOTE: Below is a summary of the CEEP document. Check the township website for the full document.

In general, the committee is working towards helping the township of Billings, the municipality and to a lesser extent the general public, adjust their activities to reduce their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and prepare for the changes that climate change will bring.

This approach is best seen through our Terms of Reference (updated version link) and the Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) that is our overall plan for years leading to 2030. 

Summary: The Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP)

The CEEP is a lengthy document created jointly with the assistance of this committee, township staff, consultation with community members, and specialized Climate Change Coordinators.  It's general mission statement is found on page 3:

The CAC is back!

The Billings Climate Action Committee (CAC) is back for another term with some returning members and some new faces. Here's a quick list for you of who is serving on the committee this term:

• Chair: Vince Grogan
• Staff Rep: Emily Dance
• Bob Clifford
• Paul Darlaston
• Colen McKeever
• Chris Theijsmeijer

A summary of our mandate is to: (Full Terms of Reference here)

1. Review and provide recommendations to council as they relate to climate change, especially relating to the Climate Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP.)
2. Promote dialogue and greater community awareness about climate change and the CEEP.
3. Provide additional recommendations to council, at their request, relating to climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Part of our history also includes a large public survey that was conducted in 2020. Here are the results!

Over the next 4 years we hope to engage with members of the public to raise awareness relating to climate change, especially as it concerns Billings Township and its residents. Please reach out to any of us if you have comments and concerns in this area. Meetings occur monthly on the third Wednesday of the month, but check the township website for the most up to date information.

We are beginning our term with a list of priorities that will help set goals for the coming year. These goals will contain a mix of initiatives, primarily stemming from the four categories of actions listed in the CEEP:

1. Natural Spaces
2. Buildings
3. Transportation
4. Waste

The CEEP is a rich document, including details on about 30 individual action items that will help us reach the overall goal of 50% reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) below 2018 levels - by the year 2030.

It's an ambitious plan, and we will need to mobilize many members of the community and municipality together to make it happen. We invite you to participate in this challenge with us through cooperation and dialogue. Contact us, visit the meetings, and keep reading this blog with its old and new posts to stay up to date on what's happening with the Billings CAC.