10.7 Resource Conservation and Greenhouse Gas Reduction

Principle

Fight climate change and improve air quality by reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from all sources.

Cities are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions globally; these emissions come from all aspects of urban life, including heating and cooling buildings, transportation, and waste disposal. Minimizing the detrimental environmental and health effects associated with climate change requires drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions before 2050. St. Albert has the responsibility and the opportunity to be a leader in this global transition to greener city-building practices. While policies throughout Flourish support reducing the city’s overall carbon footprint, the following policies advance the adoption of renewable energy sources and net-zero development, while minimizing the adverse effects of new development, redevelopment, and transportation on St. Albert’s air quality.

Policies

10.7.1.

Facilitate energy efficiency, adoption of renewable energy sources, resource conservation, and net-zero development by:

Adopting Green Development Standards and related performance checklists with qualitative and quantitative requirements for all development to meet or exceed. The Green Development Standards should include, but not be limited to:
1. Energy efficiency
2. Water conservation
3. Building materials
4. Waste reduction
5. Renewable energy
6. Natural feature conservation
7. Active transportation
8. Cultural heritage
9. Public health and safety
10. Climate change adaptation
Facilitating the installation of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency improvements in existing buildings;
Incentivizing the use of renewable energy sources in new development and redevelopment;
Exploring opportunities and funding partnerships for district energy initiatives;
Encouraging the exploration of new technologies and innovative practices that support net-zero development;
Update the Land Use Bylaw to support renewable energy source ready development;
Encouraging the adoption of Net Zero Energy Ready (NZER) codes in advance of National Building Code adoption; and
Support all new commercial buildings to be net zero by 2030.

10.7.2.

Incorporate high industry standards for energy and environmental design for all new municipal buildings, in accordance with other relevant City policies.

10.7.3.

Promote electric vehicle use by incorporating charging infrastructure provisions in Land Use Bylaw regulations.

10.7.4.

Partner with neighbouring municipalities, public agencies, environmental organizations, Indigenous communities, and other levels of government to monitor air quality, maintain air quality standards, and implement emission reduction programs. Such programs include, but are not limited to, promoting net-zero development, public transportation, active transportation, carpooling, and walkable neighbourhoods.

10.7.5.

Encourage the attraction, retention, and expansion of businesses that reliably demonstrate a commitment to water and energy efficiency, reduced emissions and waste, and environmental protection or enhancement.

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