Aligning COVID-19 Recovery with Local Government Climate Action Practical Community-Scale Actions, Solutions and Strategies for BC Municipalities

This report was created to support local governments in sustaining climate action while creating jobs postpandemic. COVID-19 has had an enormous impact on the lives and livelihoods of British Columbians, with many aspects of community and economic life shuttered to minimize human contact in order to slow the spread of the virus, resulting in a major economic downturn. At the same time, over 30 local governments in BC have declared climate emergencies, and many more committed to catalysing local climate action. As climate change continues to accelerate, climate-inclusive economic recovery planning is critical.
The aim of this report is to provide advice to BC municipalities on opportunities for COVID-19 recovery that offer synergies with climate action, based on case studies and precedents in communities that may be applicable to BC and Canada.

Applying or adapting these strategies can provide the following desired outcomes:
● Increasing jobs and skills within communities, and advancing economic recovery.
● Reducing GHG emissions (carbon footprints) and meeting municipal, provincial and federal emission reduction
targets.
● Building resilience and adaptation to climate impacts, while increasing self-sufficiency.
● Social co-benefits such as improving or restoring health, social cohesion, equity, and advancing a cultural shift
towards sustainable lifestyles