See Our Progress

The District of Squamish is working to reduce community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP), which officially passed in 2020, is a framework of Six Big Moves in the areas of housing, transportation, and waste management. The District of Squamish is working to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions related to buildings, transportation and waste. See highlights of our recent accomplishments below!

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  • October 2021 - The municipal engineering team installed a landfill gas collection system to capture and flare methane gas, which is approximately 26 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The flare was officially lit on November 23, reducing landfill emissions by approximately 75%.
  • June 2021 - The District of Squamish passed the Demolition Waste Diversion Bylaw to provide financial incentives for builders to reduce waste and recycle demolition materials during the demolition process. One recent demolition project tracked 97% diversion from the landfill.
  • February 2022 - The District of Squamish adopted the updated Single-Use Items Reduction Bylaw and has since developed tool kits for local businesses
  • January 2023 - The District is in progress of quantifying carbon offset credits for our landfill gas collection system (installed December 2021), which reduces landfill emissions by approximately 75%. These credits will be used internally for our municipal emissions.
  • January 2023 - Squamish is one of 10 communities in Canada participating in the Circular Cities Regional Initiative (CCRI) to support our progress toward a circular economy.
  • June 2023 - During the 2022-2023 school year, 26 classes participated in the District of Squamish zero waste workshops, representing 8 different schools and 593 students.
  • Ongoing - In the process of achieving carbon credits for Landfill Gas system
  • Ongoing - Circular economy roadmap is currently being completed, showcasing action in: food, textiles, and the built environment.
  • Ongoing - Our Integrated Solid Waste Specialist is leading long-term planning for landfill expansion, which includes enhanced diversion opportunities, circular economy considerations and the expansion of the landfill gas collection.
  • Ongoing - The District continues to make ongoing improvements to the landfill gas (LFG) collection system.
  • October 2021 - Squamish community members participated in the fall GoByBike week. A total of 675 riders registered and rode a cumulative 21,000 kilometers throughout the week.
  • August 2021 - The District installed new bike lanes along Pemberton Avenue in Downtown Squamish.
  • June: 2022 - BC Transit and the District of Squamish have completed the Squamish Transit Future Action Plan.
  • December 2022 - A third car sharing vehicle is now available downtown, with more proposed in Squamish.
  • January 2023 - Recent improvements to our active transportation network include a multi-use path on Pioneer, improvements to the roundabout on Highlands Way South and a new crosswalk at Pia and Pitlochry.
  • January 2023 - Launched a third car sharing vehicle in partnership with MODO.
  • June 2023 - Go By Bike Week event was a success with 482 riders participating and 146 new riders.
  • June 2023 - Squamish hosted an E-Bike Expo, supported by two vendors and 10 community E-Bike ambassadors.
  • Ongoing - The District is currently implementing the Active Transportation Plan.
  • November 2021 - The District has received $1 million in funding to support Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure within the community.
  • August 2021- With the support of a $10,000 grant from PluginBC, the District of Squamish has initiated a fleet assessment that will help us move toward electrifying District vehicles.
  • July 2022 - The District was awarded Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings grant for $11.7M. This includes installation of ice plant heat recovery system that will use reclaimed waste heat for pool water heating. This is an estimated reduction of 120 tCO2e/yr, 2,495 GJ/yr and $17,820/yr in energy cost savings.
  • October 2022 - The District hosted a webinar and created a guidebook to assist with electric vehicle charging infrastructure in multi-unit residential buildings.
  • October 2022 - Worked in partnership with the RMOW, CleanBC and independent contractors to develop a webinar and guide for EV charging in condos and apartments.
  • January 2023 - Squamish will begin topping up certain CleanBC Provincial incentives for EV infrastructure in 2023.
  • September 2023 - Hosted annual EV Expo, which allows people to drive an Electric Vehicle and learn more about the technology.
  • Ongoing - The District is planning for EV charging capacity for all new municipal capital projects, including the new public works facility.
  • Ongoing - Detailed planning for the Electrify the Sea to Sky public charging infrastructure project is underway.
  • January 2022 - Early next year, the District will launch a pilot project that supports residents in replacing their end-of-life furnaces. This project is made possible with joint funding from BC Hydro, the Canadian Federation of Municipalities, and other organizations.
  • November 2021 - An energy study was conducted that recommends actions to increase the efficiency of the Brennan Park Recreation Centre, primarily through exchanging heat between the ice rink and pool. Implementation will begin in 2022.
  • December 2023 - The District completed studies to explore how to improve the heating system and envelope to lower the carbon footprint of the Adventure Centre.
  • January 2023 - Squamish continues to participate in Retrofit Assist and top up Provincial Heat pump incentives. We are exploring adding new offering to the program starting in spring 2023.
  • Spring 2023 - The District was awarded an $11.7M grant from Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings grant program, which will contribute to the infrastructure upgrades of Brennan Park. These upgrades are expected to reduce the building's energy consumption by 36.6% and its greenhouse gas emissions by 294.5 tonnes.
  • May 2023 - Squamish added a new $350 top-up on Provincial Air Source Heat Pump incentives.
  • January 2021 - The District of Squamish implemented the BC energy Step Code in 2018 . As of 2021 we are at Step 4 for homes.
  • July 2021- The District, in partnership with Resort Municipality of Whistler, successfully attained funding from the Community Energy Association to create an embodied carbon guide that focuses on buildings.
  • December 2022 - The Embodied Emissions Guide for BC communities was completed to assist with understanding the emissions from buildings.
  • July 2021 - The District completed Municipal Energy and Emissions Plan (MEEP), which seeks to reduce municipal emissions by 68% reduction from 2030 business as usual projections.
  • September 2021 - The District B-Sides podcast released four new episodes on climate change to help educate and engage Squamish residents on the topic.
  • Summer 2022 - District B-Sides podcast series climate action podcasts
  • Fall 2022 - Completed fleet assessment with Telematics
  • January 2023 - The District refreshed its climate action website to make it more user friendly. See RIGHT HERE.
  • January 2023 - We are partnering with the 'Cool It' program to educate students and engage in a four-week challenge to reduce their carbon footprint.
  • September 2023 - Launched new Local Carbon Registry
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Squamish Community Performance Indicators Dashboard

The Squamish 2040 Official Community Plan is guided by five core goals. The District is tracking a series of indicators to measure progress.