The Gabriola Local Trust Committee (LTC) moved a draft bylaw on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction a few steps closer to completion at their Feb. 25 meeting, making a few final amendments to the bylaw before referring it on to the Advisory Planning Commission for comment.

Local governments have been ordered by the Province to set GHG emission reduction targets into their Official Community Plans by May of 2010. The Gabriola LTC has already taken action, including holding a community meeting in November 2009, which fostered suggestions later included in the draft bylaw, according to a report by Regional Planning Manager Chris Jackson.

Despite a query from Trustee Sheila Malcolmson at their Jan. 29 meeting about why staff have set percentage rather than aspirational targets – such as reducing the number of trips in single passenger vehicles by a certain per cent, or increasing the number of bicycle paths on the island - the report set targets of 33 per cent reductions from 2007 GHG levels by 2020, and 85 per cent by 2050.

Asked why this was, LTC Chair Louise Bell said that while the islands are permitted to establish their own goals, staff advice to the Trust Council has been that it is easier if everyone in the Trust federation is “working towards a goal that has the same timeline … and target”.

Trustees are still waiting to hear back from staff about the financial and emission reporting obligations and clarification on the relationship between the LTC and the Regional District in terms of who gets to claim GHG reductions, Jackson, reported.