PO Box 978, 781 Marine Park Drive NE, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4P1 | T: 250.832.8194 | TF: 1.888.248.2773| inquiries@csrd.bc.

ca
www.csrd.bc.ca



MEDIA RELEASE
September 12, 2014

CSRD ACHIEVES CARBON NEUTRALITY

SALMON ARM - The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) announced at its June 19 Board meeting that it
has been awarded a Level 3 Achievement of Carbon Neutrality from the Climate Action Charter. A formal letter of
recognition was sent to the CSRD acknowledging this accomplishment.
Climate action is a provincial priority and local governments are key partners in helping to reduce greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions and create complete, compact and energy-efficient communities. In 2007-2008, the CSRD became
a signatory to the BC Climate Action Charter, along with 182 other local governments. The CSRD has measured and
reported carbon emissions to the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program since 2010, and has taken measures to
reduce corporate emissions.
In order to become carbon neutral, the CSRD has purchased carbon credits from the Pacific Carbon Trust to offset
corporate emissions. The CSRD has an agreement with the Climate Action Secretariat (formerly the Pacific Carbon
Trust) to sell carbon credits from the Salmon Arm Landfill biogas operations. This agreement gives the CSRD a
unique opportunity to purchase carbon offsets at a reduced rate. Furthermore, the CSRD has been able to offer their
member municipalities the option of purchasing the discounted carbon credits as well, in order to offset their corporate
emissions.
The CSRD has been working on retrofitting CSRD buildings, improving fleet management and incorporating carbon
neutral initiatives into planning exercises, all in an effort to reduce corporate emissions. In 2012, the CSRD was one
of 31 local governments and one of only five Regional Districts to become carbon neutral. Furthermore, the CSRD
recently submitted its 2013 report, which indicates the corporation is once again carbon neutral.
The CSRD is very pleased to be acknowledged for achieving Carbon Neutrality, says CAO Charles Hamilton. We
are committed to exploring innovative and cost effective measures to maintain our carbon neutral status with the
Province.
For further information contact
Ben Van Nostrand, CSRD Team Leader
Environmental Health Services
T: 250.833.5940