MODELLING A CARBON NEUTRAL REGION

Morgan Braglewicz

Climate Action Committee, July 16th 2021

Jason Emmert Program Manager, Climate Policy Senior Policy & Planning Analyst, Air Quality & Climate Change

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Metro Vancouver

targets reducing GHG

emissions by 45% by 2030 and will be a

carbon neutral region by

2050.

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Project summaryMODELLING A CARBON NEUTRAL REGION

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Objective: to evaluate the impact that a sample package of key policies and actions can have on greenhouse gas emissions

• Business as planned scenario - models emissions trajectory based on current policies and plans

• Carbon neutral scenario - models aggressive and achievable package of policies to more drastically reduce emissions

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Final Results Summary CARBON NEUTRAL SCENARIO

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-16%

-76%

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KEY FINDINGS

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• Aggressive actions need to be implemented now

• Focus on early reductions in some sectors, while laying the foundation for mid-term reductions in others

• Reducing emissions is the key pathway to reaching carbon neutrality

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CHALLENGES TO DEEPER EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS

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• Underlying structural inertia and slow technology retirement • Acceptability and equity considerations of pricing

mechanisms• Technology availability and industry capacity • Technological innovation• Getting policies and regulations in place

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WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

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• Use modelling results to inform thedevelopment of the initial Climate 2050Roadmaps and Clean Air Plan

• Refine estimates of potential emissionsimpact taking into account implementation-specific details

• Estimate costs of climate policy to informpolicy implementation

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Questions and comments46672920 8 of 40

Draft Clean Air Plan Engagement Outcomes

Policy Coordinator, External Relations

Climate Action Committee, July 16, 2021

Laura TaylorEngagement Coordinator, Parks and Environment

Burrard Inlet & Second Narrows Bridge viewed from Vancouver

Lucy Duso

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Engagement Objectives

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• Share information with the public on the purpose and benefits of the Clean Air Plan.

• Provide a range of opportunities for the public to provide feedback.

• Have meaningful conversations with specific sectors and organizations (e.g., those impacted by the proposed actions, responsible for implementation, aligned sectors, experience with equity assessment) about their level of support, specific concerns of the impacts or intent, and thoughts on collaboration and implementation.

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• Broad public• Provincial and federal governments and

agencies• First Nations• Member jurisdictions• Neighbouring regional districts• Partner agencies/ organizations with

statutory responsibilities• Health authorities• Energy Utilities• Industry and business associations• Professional organizations• Academic institutions• Community, equity and environmental

Audience

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Events

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• Public webinars• Public forums• Stakeholder forums• Municipal advisory committee

meetings• Staff-to-staff meetings with other

governments or industryassociations

• Youth leadership workshops

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Feedback Framework

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• Awareness of Metro Vancouver’s commitments and actions related to air quality and climate action in this region

• Support or concern for targets, goals, strategies or actions in the draft plan

• Additional considerations or ideas that could be incorporated into the draft plan

• Implementation of the plan, potential collaborations, alignment with other initiatives, and equity considerations

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Collective acceptance of the Plan

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• Intention recognized and supported

• Framework supported

• Regional approach supported

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Highlights of Feedback on Targets, Goals and Actions

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• Generally supported with some concern for achieving GHG targets, and others urging Metro Vancouver to be more aggressive

Targets

• Most audiences identified support for long-term goals, and where applicable identified general alignment. Some unease with terminology (e.g. ‘zero’ vs. ‘lower’), and suggestions to include demand management as a goal.

Goals

• Largely supported. Concerns for specific actions (largely implementation). Some additional actions suggested for consideration.

Actions

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Feedback Themes

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• Address the cost of capital investment required in some emission reduction programs

• Include stronger indication of priorities

• Ensure alignment between government regulators

• Collaborate on implementation

• Support small businesses with cost effective solutions

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Comments from Young Residents

Urgency

Climate justice

• Climate action is an emergency

• Need support to engage• Justice, equity, climate

change• Frustrated and skeptical

about solutions • Gratitude when heard

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Next Steps

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• Review feedback and consider revisions for the final Clean Air Plan

• Broaden the audience for climate action to encourage collaboration and support for action

• Continue the dialogue with business and industry to work towards effective solutions

• Transition to a carbon neutral region

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Questions / comments

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2021 Update on Sustainability Innovation Fund ProjectsREGIONAL DISTRICT

Climate Action Committee: July 16, 2021

City of North Vancouver

Megan GerrytsSenior Advisor, Regional Economic Prosperity Service

Roger QuanDirector, Air Quality and Climate Change

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2017-2019 Approval YearsREGIONAL DISTRICT PROJECT UPDATES

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Completed:• DC Fast Charger at Metrotower III• Sustainable Infrastructure and Buildings Design GuideDiscontinued: • Transit-Oriented Affordable Housing Implementation CalculatorIn Progress:• LumiAir: Lighting your path to Clean Air• Air Aware: Air Quality and Citizen Science• Climate Literacy Modules

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CompleteDC FAST CHARGER AT METROTOWER III

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Purpose: Install a DC Fast Charger (DCFC) to test innovative pricing and usage rules and provide charging for our fleet, MV staff and the public.

Outcomes:• Completed installation of DCFC at

Metrotower III • Explored impact of tiered pricing model on

vehicle turn-over

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Complete

SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUILDINGS DESIGN GUIDE

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Purpose: Technical guidance for Metro Vancouver project leads to achieve the requirements of the Sustainable Infrastructure and Buildings Policy.

Outcomes: • Competed final Design Guide• Engaged over 30 staff across utilities,

parks and MVHC

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Discontinued

TRANSIT-ORIENTED AFFORDABLE HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION CALCULATOR

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Purpose: Communicate housing development cost analysis from TOAH Study with interactive tool

Outcomes:• Staff determined audience would be limited• Benefits would not justify expense

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In ProgressLUMIAIR: LIGHTING YOUR PATH TO CLEAN AIR

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Purpose: engage and educate the public through a visual display of air quality

Outcomes: • Final design complete• Hardware procured; visual display built

and configured • Testing currently underway

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In ProgressAIR AWARE: AIR QUALITY AND CITIZEN SCIENCE

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Purpose: to evaluate small, low-cost, air quality sensors and support the public in the appropriate use of these sensors

Outcomes:• Deployed air sensors with 12 volunteers• Completed internal evaluation of air

sensors• Completed draft of technical report• Published Air Aware website

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In ProgressCLIMATE LITERACY MODULES

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Purpose: learning tool to support and encourage broader participation in climate action conversations.

Outcomes:• Developed module content with input from

educators, Indigenous knowledge and climate science expertise

• Creating interactive online learning modules.

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ADDITIONAL PROJECTS

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Targeted Invasive Plant Grazing in Metro Vancouver

Using eDNA Sampling Technology in Regional Parks

Preventing Smoke Emissions from Agricultural Waste Management

Mobile Monitoring of Fugitive and Other Industrial Air Emissions with "Flying Labs"

Clean Air for Students and Schools (CLASS)

Net-Zero Feasibility Study for Welcher Affordable Housing Development

Step Code Implementation Impacts for Building Envelope Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings

Building Resilience: Exploring the Potential of Renewable Energy Building Infrastructure

PARKS

AIR QUALITY

HOUSING

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Discussion and questions

Aldergrove Regional Park

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Managing Emissions from Cannabis Production & ProcessingNEXT PHASE OF ENGAGEMENT ON A CANNABIS PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING EMISSION REGULATION

Arvind Saraswat, PhD, P.Eng.Senior Project Engineer, Air Quality Bylaw and Regulation Development

Climate Action Committee, July 16, 2021Orbit #: 45132112

Burrard Inlet

Esther Bérubé, P.Eng.Division Manager, Air Quality Bylaw and Regulation Development

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HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

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Regional Ground-Level Ozone Strategy – Report Cover

• Ground-level ozone • Harmful to health and

environment• Cannabis production emits

ozone precursors• Volatile organic compounds

• Odorous emissions are a major source of complaints

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METRO VANCOUVER’S RESPONSE

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• Current approach: site-specific permit or approval

• Engagement on an emission regulation for the sector

• Facilities can still seek site-specific authorization under permit

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REGULATION DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

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2019 2020 2021

Public EngagementJun - Nov 2019

Feedback Review Additional EngagementNov 2020 - Mar2021

Phase 2 Engage-mentOct – Dec 2021

CAC/Board ReportSummary of Additional Engagement, Phase 2 Discussion PaperJuly 2021

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MODIFICATIONS BASED ON ENGAGEMENT

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Regulatory proposals no longer include:• Upper limit based on size

(50,000 m2) or processing capacity (50,000 kg)

• Outdoor cultivation• Additional control measures

during air quality advisories

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SCOPE OF PROPOSED REGULATION

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PROPOSALS FOR MANAGING EMISSIONS FROM INDOOR CULTIVATION

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1. Emission Management Plan2. Emission Control Requirements3. Complaints and Officer

Observation Response Plan4. Records and Reporting5. Minimum Distance Requirements6. Cost recovery

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1. EMISSION MANAGEMENT PLAN

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a. Specifies design and maintenance of activated carbon filters

b. Prepared by qualified professional for facilities with growing area greater than 200 m2

c. District Director may require review by qualified professional or monitoring

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2. EMISSION CONTROL REQUIREMENTS

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a. Facility and filtration system design and maintenanceb. Achievement of specified VOC control efficiencies:

i. >95% for trim rooms and drying rooms;ii. >70% for vented growing areas in greenhouses operational in

first half of 2021, until July 2031;

>95% after July 2031;

iii. >95% for other areas/facilities

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3. COMPLAINTS & OFFICER OBSERVATION RESPONSE PLAN

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a) Facilities will receive and respond to complaintsb) Notify Metro Vancouverc) Investigate potential causesd) Implement remedial actions to comply with

Emission Management Plan and control requirements

Mobile Ambient Air Monitoring Unit

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Questions or comments?

View to the North-East of Metro Vancouver

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