Achieving Port Moody's climate action goals to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions will cost almost $6 million over the next seven years and will total more than $11 million by 2040.
The replacement of equipment in 22 civic buildings as it reaches the end of its serviceable life will help the city reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent from 2017 levels by 2030 and by 97 per cent by 2040.
As well, the city will work to ensure new equipment takes into account climate changes that have already occurred resulting in hotter and drier summers and more stormy winters.
That's the plan endorsed by council’s city initiatives and planning committee at its meeting Tuesday, Sept. 5.
Coun. Amy Lubik said it's imperative Port Moody meet its targets for reducing greenhouse gases.
"We had the worst summer ever for forest fires in Canada, so I think the sooner we can meet our targets the better."
A consulting firm hired by the city to audit its civic facilities to determine how their carbon emissions can be reduced, along with the potential costs and savings for each, did present cheaper and more gradual options, as well as a more proactive timeline but Arzan Balsara, Port Moody's senior sustainability and energy coordinator, said replacing equipment as it ages out provides the most cost effective path.
Of the buildings assessed, the most expensive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be the recreation complex, which will require a complete redesign and updating of its ice plant, heating and dehumidification systems by 2040.
Coun. Kyla Knowles acknowledged the expense to the city is significant.
"These are some big, heavy costs we're looking at."
But, Balsara said, "the invaluable benefits of greenhouse gas reduction far outweigh the costs."
He said the plan will help solidify Port Moody as a climate action leader.
Council adopted the city's climate action plan in July 2020, and committed to its climate ready homes and buildings plan last September.
Balsara said now that the city's plan is in place, staff will figure out how to pay for it. But, he warned, grants from higher levels of government will likely cover only about 25 per cent of the costs.
