The District of Sooke's declaration of a climate emergency in 2019 seemed to signal a resolute commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
 
However, a recent report reveals that progress has been disappointingly slow.
 
Despite concerted efforts over the past four years, Sooke has struggled to make a significant dent in its overall GHG emissions.
 
Mayor Maja Tait, a staunch advocate for climate action, acknowledges the challenges but remains unwavering in her commitment to combating climate change.
 
The Capital Regional District's 2022 regional greenhouse gas inventory reveals that the region produced 1.86 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
 
CO2e is a measure used to assess and compare the warming effects of various greenhouse gases on climate change.
 
It calculates the cumulative impact of all these gases, not just CO2, over 100 years.
 
The CO2e was seven percent less than in the CRD to what it was in 2007 and increased by about one percent compared to what it was in 2020.
 
Still, this change also differs from one community to another in the region.
 
When you look at how much pollution each person is responsible for, it has decreased by 25 percent since 2007.
 
But this change in pollution levels varies in different parts of the region, like cities and rural areas.
 
Sooke, for instance, saw a 22.6 percent increase since 2007.
 
According to the gas inventory report, the main culprits were driving fossil-fuel-powered vehicles and building using natural gas.
 
The usual suspects are to blame for most GHG in Sooke, including unprecedented growth in the district.
 
"There's been so much development occuring here, and of course, that's going to have an impact. I think now that we have those targets, we have something to measure," Tait said.
 
A 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report warned that the planet must cut emissions by 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030 to honour the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement and limit global temperature rise to 1.5 C, but current projections point to a 3 C increase.
 
Sooke strives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050.
 
Coun. Jeff Bateman, a green advocate on Sooke council, expressed disappointment with the latest numbers as Sooke aspires to a 50 percent carbon cut by 2030 but noted carbon pollution is declining in the core CRD communities.
 
"Staying positive makes these metrics strong reason to strive harder on multiple GHG reducing fronts," he said.
 
Council will decide how to approach its declared climate emergency in its next strategic plan, expected later this year, and is discussing measures to promote more energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, including the voluntary provincial standard Zero Carbon Step Code.
 
Local governments reference the Zero Carbon Step Code in bylaws and programs to require or encourage lower carbon new construction in their communities.
 
"Certainly the technology is improving rapidly as well, and we're seeing how other communities and the development industry is adapting along with it to provide low carbon solutions. We need to take stock in what are we doing, and how we want to build a more sustainable future for all of us," Tait said.
 
Kevin Liard.