The City is addressing the climate crisis by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the transition to renewable energy.
Climate Emergency High Impact Initiatives
In March 2019, the City of Victoria declared a climate emergency and identified six high impact initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions:
- incentivize the switch from oil-heating to heat pumps
- increase the active transportation network
- develop a regional home energy retrofit program
- offer zero emissions mobility incentives
- implement low carbon step code requirements for commercial and residential buildings
- develop of a bus rapid transit system
The City advanced these initiatives by:
- providing over $450,000 in rebates for residents to switch to a heat pump from any fossil fuel system
- building out our active transportation network with the expansion of the AAA bike network, crosswalks and sidewalks
- developing the Home Energy Navigator, which supports homeowners who are interested in reducing the emissions from their homes
- increasing its EV charging network and enhancing access to EV charging
- adopting the BC Energy Step Code and the highest steps of the Zero Carbon Step Code for the construction of new buildings
- working with regional partners and the Province on the expansion of the bus rapid transit system
BC Energy Step Code and Zero Carbon Step Code for New Buildings
The energy we use to heat, power and cool our homes and other buildings makes up over half of Victoria’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Most of these emissions come from the use of natural gas, a fossil fuel which is 17 times more polluting than electricity.
To reduce these emissions, the City is adopting the top steps of the BC Energy Step Code and Zero Carbon Step Code, requiring better energy efficiency and low carbon requirements for newly constructed buildings.
Learn more on the Low Carbon New Buildings page.
Climate Ready Bylaws
The City amended and implemented the following bylaws to support climate action in the community:
- Streets and Traffic Bylaw (09-079)
- amended to set fees for public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, designate EV charging zones and establish fines for non-compliance
- City Parkades Electric Vehicle Charging Fees Bylaw (20-033)
- outlines the fees for charging EVs in City-owned parking areas
- Zoning Regulation Bylaw and Zoning Regulation Bylaw 2018
- amended to require all new residential and commercial buildings to be EV ready
EV Charging Infrastructure
The City has been investing in EV charging infrastructure since 2013. Currently, the City operates Level 2 EV chargers in each of its five parkades and along Broad Street, and has fast-charging stations on Store Street, at Vic West Park and at Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre.
The City recently installed close to 50 power-sharing, Level 2 EV chargers on the upper floors of four of its parkades. They can accommodate long term charging and parking for those that commute into town for work or live nearby.
In March 2022, the City released the new Electric Vehicle and Electric Mobility Strategy. This guides the expansion of the City’s EV charging network, outlining plans to install over 650 EV charging stations over the next six years.