By Joslin Jose, West Coast Climate Action Network
It is the year 2019. The skies are clear with white low clouds. A climate emergency has been declared in the small town of View Royal, but little did the town know that it would lead the way for climate actions across British Columbia in the years to come. Today our spotlight is on the Town of View Royal, and the View Royal Climate Coalition.
The View Royal Climate Coalition (VRCC), a climate action group founded in 2019, operates in and for View Royal in the Greater Victoria region in British Columbia. With 15-20 members and 4 core members, it is a coalition that advocates for policies primarily for environmental conservation, sustainable development, and for an environment where humans and nature coexist.
“We are proud of all the initiatives taken up by our team, with the huge support of our council members” says Jane Devonshire. Jane is a co-founder and an active member of the VRCC, and a proud participant in the implementation of View Royal’s climate actions.
“I am so excited to mention the BC Zero Carbon Step Code (ZCSC) that View Royal implemented. Seven of the 13 municipalities in the Capital Region were successful in adopting the top tier of the ZCSC, and we were one of the early adopters, shortly after Victoria and Saanich. We spoke to each of the councillors individually to get them on board and they were all highly supportive.
View Royal has successfully implemented some energy efficient measures, stressing the fact that space heating, water heating and cooking need to be electric. The VRCC has also helped to convince View Royal to sign onto the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, paving the way for being carbon neutral in the future.
As Jane proudly describes the flagship programs taken up by VRCC, she notes the importance of integrating environmental stewardship into every aspect of life in View Royal. To this end, the Town has enrolled 3 staff members in the Natural Asset Management (NAM) Roadmap Program, supported by a grant from MNAI (Municipal Natural Asset Initiative). The goal is to eventually create a Natural Asset Inventory to identify, protect and manage our natural assets and create nature-based solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation.
View Royal has successfully implemented some energy efficient measures, stressing the fact that space heating, water heating and cooking need to be electric. The VRCC has also helped to convince View Royal to sign onto the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, paving the way for being carbon neutral in the future.
As Jane proudly describes the flagship programs taken up by VRCC, she notes the importance of integrating environmental stewardship into every aspect of life in View Royal. To this end, the Town has enrolled 3 staff members in the Natural Asset Management (NAM) Roadmap Program, supported by a grant from MNAI (Municipal Natural Asset Initiative). The goal is to eventually create a Natural Asset Inventory to identify, protect and manage our natural assets and create nature-based solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation.
The VRCC team participating in the Power Play event
“In light of the provincial government’s housing Bills 44 and 47, it is important that trees are included. With Bill 44, small scale missing middle housing units are limited to an average of
1000 sq. feet, to reduce consumption, and to sustain tree canopy and permeable land. Nature and buildings can and must coexist in order for us to exist,” says Jane, who is excited for the future climate efforts the team is going to take up. As a part of the NAM program, the team plans to push for larger setbacks, providing room for ground cover, shrubs and trees, and a corridor that would nurture biodiversity, flora and fauna.
The VRCC is focusing on strengthening the tree-cutting by-law to protect the urban forest canopy in View Royal, to prevent builders from unnecessarily clearcutting the land. They are also working with Resilient Urban Systems and Habitats (RUSH) to map out the trees in View Royal, and develop rain gardens.
Following the team’s success on the Zero Carbon Step Code and implementing energy efficiency by electrification, Sue Big Oil was next on their radar. View Royal was the second local government after Gabriola to sign onto this landmark class action lawsuit.
“Why should taxpayers be burdened with paying for all the costs of damaged infrastructure from severe weather events while big oil rakes in massive profits? They need to pay their fair share,” says the enthusiastic team.
The View Royal Climate Coalition is an active participant in the development of the current Official Community Plan (OCP) update, and they spearheaded and participated in the development of View Royal’s Community Climate Action Strategy.
Taking inspiration from their success and their goal of saving the planet, they move forward, unwavering and strong in each step. Ian Brown, an active member since its inception and the person behind starting the council’s Parks, Recreation and Environment Advisory Committee, describes the team’s future goals. “We envisage getting every gas and oil furnace out of the city and replacing them with heat pumps. We also plan to get more active transportation routes with shade, walking trails, paths and seating, so that people can walk in cool shade for years to come.”
VRCC at the Canada Day event
Owing to their prolific civic engagement, the VRCC has been honoured to be invited by Sustainability Victoria to partner with them to develop and implement adaptation actions for their Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
With their goals strong in mind and their vision inscribed in their hearts, the View Royal Climate Coalition team is determined to make a change – a change for a better environment, not just for today but for the future. Supporting the team are the town’s enthusiastic council members, and always behind them, as the backbone and host, is View Royal itself, “The Little Town that could.”