YU KON GOVERNMENTCLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN

PROGRESSREPORT

SEPTEMBER 2012

Climate Change aCtion Plan

Minister’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Yukon’s Climate is Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

How Climate Change Affects Yukoners . . . . 3

Progress on Yukon Government Climate Change Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Priority Actions and Developing Actions . . 4

EnhancingKnowledgeandUnderstandingofClimateChange . . . . . . . 5

AdaptingtoClimateChange . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

ReducingGreenhouseGasEmissions . . 10

LeadYukonActioninResponse toClimateChange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

And the Work Continues… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Status of Yukon Government Climate Change Priority Actions . . . . . . . . . 20

List of Citations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

TAbLe of ConTenTS

ISBN978-1-55362-581-0PublishedSeptember2012

Cettepublicationestdisponibleenfrancaisaussi .

AllphotosYukongovernmentexcept:YukonResearchCentrep .5–www .archbould .comForestryresearchersatUNBCp .8–ScottGreenCCCAPprojectp .9–RyanHennesseyGrocerystorep .4–IanStewart,YukonNews

PrintedonRollandEnviro100(100%post-consumerrecycledcontent)

Copiesavailablefrom:ClimateChangeSecretariatBox2703,(V-205),Whitehorse,YukonY1A2C6Email:climatechange@gov .yk .cawww .env .gov .yk .ca

minister’s message

Likeothernorthernregions,Yukonisexperiencingtheeffectsofclimate

changemuchmoreintenselythanourneighbourstothesouth .The

GovernmentofYukonrecognizesthatthesechangesposeopportunities

aswellasseriouschallengestoouruniquequalityoflife .Throughthe

leadershipoftheClimateChangeSecretariat,weareundertakingawide

rangeofactionsandresearchtohelpensureoureconomy,qualityoflife,

andenvironmentcontinuetothrivedespiteourchangingclimate .

Sincethedevelopmentandreleaseofthegovernment’sClimateChange

ActionPlanin2009,considerableprogresshasbeenmadeonthepriority

actionsidentified .Thisprogressreportsetsoutthesignificantwork

donethroughoutthegovernmentandalotofhardworkbyindividuals

toaddressthoseactions .

TheGovernmentofYukonexpectsoureconomytocontinuetogrowin

theyearstocome,sowemustcontinuetotakeactiontoensurethat

sucheconomicdevelopmentminimizesthecontributiontoglobalclimate

changeandconsidersitseffectsonourenvironment .Irecognizethat

wecannotundertakethisalone,andIamencouragedbythestrength

ofourcontinuingpartnerships;particularlywiththefederalgovernment,

theYukonResearchCentre,andColdClimateInnovation .Through

suchpartnershipsitispossibletopromoteandsupportaction,identify

opportunities,anddevelopthetechnologyneededforadaptation .

Whilesomeseeacontradictionbetweenrespondingtoclimatechange

andadevelopingeconomy,Iseeanopportunity .Ibelievethatthe

scientificresearchbeingundertakentobetterunderstandtheeffects

ofourchangingclimate,andthetechnologybeingdevelopedtohelp

usadapttothosechanges,willprovidelastingeconomicbenefitsto

Yukon .Aswell,wehaveanopportunitytodemonstrateresponsible

andsustainableeconomicdevelopment .

Althoughwetendtofocusonthelocalbenefitsoftheseefforts,wemust

rememberthebroadercontextofthechallengeweface .Itismyhope

thattheactionswetakehereinYukonwillcontributetothebroader

nationalandglobaleffort,andthatweareabletoofferuniquely

northernsolutionstowhatistrulyaglobalchallenge .

Hon .CurrieDixon

MinisterofEnvironment

“It’sthegreat,big,broadland‘wayupyonder,It’stheforestswheresilencehaslease;It’sthebeautythatthrillsmewithwonder,It’sthestillnessthatfillsmewithpeace .”

RobertService—Spell of the Yukon

1

Climate Change aCtion Plan

Minister’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Yukon’s Climate is Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

How Climate Change Affects Yukoners . . . . 3

Progress on Yukon Government Climate Change Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Priority Actions and Developing Actions . . 4

EnhancingKnowledgeandUnderstandingofClimateChange . . . . . . . 5

AdaptingtoClimateChange . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

ReducingGreenhouseGasEmissions . . 10

LeadYukonActioninResponse toClimateChange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

And the Work Continues… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Status of Yukon Government Climate Change Priority Actions . . . . . . . . . 20

List of Citations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

TAbLe of ConTenTS

ISBN978-1-55362-581-0PublishedSeptember2012

Cettepublicationestdisponibleenfrancaisaussi .

AllphotosYukongovernmentexcept:YukonResearchCentrep .5–www .archbould .comForestryresearchersatUNBCp .8–ScottGreenCCCAPprojectp .9–RyanHennesseyGrocerystorep .4–IanStewart,YukonNews

PrintedonRollandEnviro100(100%post-consumerrecycledcontent)

Copiesavailablefrom:ClimateChangeSecretariatBox2703,(V-205),Whitehorse,YukonY1A2C6Email:climatechange@gov .yk .cawww .env .gov .yk .ca

minister’s message

Likeothernorthernregions,Yukonisexperiencingtheeffectsofclimate

changemuchmoreintenselythanourneighbourstothesouth .The

GovernmentofYukonrecognizesthatthesechangesposeopportunities

aswellasseriouschallengestoouruniquequalityoflife .Throughthe

leadershipoftheClimateChangeSecretariat,weareundertakingawide

rangeofactionsandresearchtohelpensureoureconomy,qualityoflife,

andenvironmentcontinuetothrivedespiteourchangingclimate .

Sincethedevelopmentandreleaseofthegovernment’sClimateChange

ActionPlanin2009,considerableprogresshasbeenmadeonthepriority

actionsidentified .Thisprogressreportsetsoutthesignificantwork

donethroughoutthegovernmentandalotofhardworkbyindividuals

toaddressthoseactions .

TheGovernmentofYukonexpectsoureconomytocontinuetogrowin

theyearstocome,sowemustcontinuetotakeactiontoensurethat

sucheconomicdevelopmentminimizesthecontributiontoglobalclimate

changeandconsidersitseffectsonourenvironment .Irecognizethat

wecannotundertakethisalone,andIamencouragedbythestrength

ofourcontinuingpartnerships;particularlywiththefederalgovernment,

theYukonResearchCentre,andColdClimateInnovation .Through

suchpartnershipsitispossibletopromoteandsupportaction,identify

opportunities,anddevelopthetechnologyneededforadaptation .

Whilesomeseeacontradictionbetweenrespondingtoclimatechange

andadevelopingeconomy,Iseeanopportunity .Ibelievethatthe

scientificresearchbeingundertakentobetterunderstandtheeffects

ofourchangingclimate,andthetechnologybeingdevelopedtohelp

usadapttothosechanges,willprovidelastingeconomicbenefitsto

Yukon .Aswell,wehaveanopportunitytodemonstrateresponsible

andsustainableeconomicdevelopment .

Althoughwetendtofocusonthelocalbenefitsoftheseefforts,wemust

rememberthebroadercontextofthechallengeweface .Itismyhope

thattheactionswetakehereinYukonwillcontributetothebroader

nationalandglobaleffort,andthatweareabletoofferuniquely

northernsolutionstowhatistrulyaglobalchallenge .

Hon .CurrieDixon

MinisterofEnvironment

“It’sthegreat,big,broadland‘wayupyonder,It’stheforestswheresilencehaslease;It’sthebeautythatthrillsmewithwonder,It’sthestillnessthatfillsmewithpeace .”

RobertService—Spell of the Yukon

1

temPerature trends

TheredlineindicatesannualCanadiantemperatureshavewarmed1 .5°Coverthelast63years .

Yukon’s Climate is Changing

Globally,humandependencyonfossilfuels,increasingindustrialactivities,andclearingofforestsfordevelopmentandagriculturehaveresultedinelevatedlevelsofgreenhousegassesintheatmosphere .Thesegassestrapinheatwhichinturnshiftglobaltemperature,windandprecipitationpatterns .

Yukon’stemperature,windandprecipitationpatternshaveexperiencedsignificantchanges .Since1948,Yukon’sannualaveragetemperaturehasincreasedby2 .2°Candtheaveragewintertemperatureby5 .5°C(EnvironmentCanada,TrendsandVariations,2011) .Incomparison,Canada’soverallaveragetemperaturehasincreasedby1 .5°CandCanadianoverallwintertemperatureshaveincreasedby3 .6°Cinthesameperiod(EnvironmentCanada,TrendsandVariations,2011) .Yukonisexperiencingalteredprecipitationpatterns,especiallyinwinter,withsnowfallandrainpatternsoutsideofusualclimateexpectations(EnvironmentCanada,TrendsandVariations,2011) .Therearealsomoreextremeandunexpectedweatherevents,suchasflooding(Beasley,2010),andincreasedlightningactivitycorrelatedtoanunstableatmosphere(Purves,2006) .

Northernlatitudesareparticularlysensitivetoclimatechangebecausetheycontainmuchoftheworld’scryosphere,orareaswherenegativetemperaturesandsolidwaterexist .Ice,glaciers,permafrostandsnowcoverareexamplesofphysicalenvironmentsthatareparticularlysensitivetoawarmingclimate(Prowse,Furgal,Melling&Smith,2009) .

I nTroDuCTIonTheYukongovernmentrecognizesthatclimatechangeishappening,thathumanbehaviourisamajorcontributor,andthatacoordinatedresponseisneeded .TheYukongovernmenthasmadesignificantprogressontheclimatechangeactionsoutlinedinthe2009Climate Change Action Plan .Theseactionsdemonstratethegovernment’slong-termcommitmentstorespondingeffectivelytoclimatechange .

ThisreportdetailsprogressmadeontheYukongovernment’s33priorityclimatechangeactionsandonactionsthathavedevelopedoverthelastthreeyears .

how Climate Change affeCts Yukoners

Scientificresearch,traditionalknowledgeandpersonalexperienceallpointinthesamedirection:ourclimateischangingandYukon’sland,wildlife,andpeoplearedirectlyaffected .

Shifting biomes

Areaswithdistinctiveplantandanimalspecies,knownasbiomes,areshiftingduetoclimatechange .Southernplantsandanimals,forexample,aremovingnorthasYukon’sclimatewarms .Shiftingbiomescanleadtothespreadofinvasivespecies,thespreadofillnessesandparasites,disruptionoftraditionalfoodsources,and,encouragingly,anincreaseinagriculturalopportunities .

Melting Glaciers

IncreasingtemperaturesinthenortharecausingYukon’sglacierstomelt .Since1958,Yukonglaciershavelost22percentoftheirsurfaceareaandhavecontributedonaverage1 .13mmtoglobalsealevelrise(BarrardandSharp,2010) .Meltingglacierscanalsocauselocalorregionalwatershortagesandlocalizedflooding .

Thawing permafrost

Overhalfoftheplaceswherepermafrostexistedin1964alongtheAlaskaHighway(fromtheCityofWhitehorsetoFortSt .John)nolongercontainpermafrost .Wherepermafrostisstillpresent,theactivelayer,whereseasonalthawingoccurs,hasincreasedindepth(Bryan,Hinzman&Busey,2008) .PermafrostthawiscausingexpensivedamagetoYukon’sroadsandbuildings .Forexample,annualrepaircostsonthepermafrost-damaged200kilometrestretchofhighwaybetweenDestructionBayandtheUSborderaverages$30,000perkilometre,or$6millioneachyear .Permafrostfreestretchesofhighway,incontrast,averageabout$4,000perkilometre .PermafrostthawinghasledtoslumpingasseenonHerschelIsland(PollardandLantuit,2008)andtomorefrequentlandslides .

Departures from 1961–1990 average • Linear trend of 1.5˚C

Source: Environment Canada, Science and Technology Branch, Climate Research Division, 2011

MembersoftheWhiteRiverFirstNationinBeaverCreekarenoticingdifferentbirdmigrationpatterns,lowerberrycropyieldsassociatedwithlessprecipitation,andadecreaseinthepopulationofthelocalcaribouherd(Guyot,Dickson,Paci,Furgal&Chan,2006) .

GlaciersinYukonaregettingsmaller .Since1958,glaciershavedecreasedinsizeby22%(BarrardandSharp,2010) .

Umbellate Hawkweed(Hieracium umbellatum)—Oncearareplantfoundnearhotsprings,Narrow-leafHawkweedisstartingtospreadalongroadsidesandnowisgrowinginthickpatchesasfarwestasWhitehorse .

2 3

temPerature trends

TheredlineindicatesannualCanadiantemperatureshavewarmed1 .5°Coverthelast63years .

Yukon’s Climate is Changing

Globally,humandependencyonfossilfuels,increasingindustrialactivities,andclearingofforestsfordevelopmentandagriculturehaveresultedinelevatedlevelsofgreenhousegassesintheatmosphere .Thesegassestrapinheatwhichinturnshiftglobaltemperature,windandprecipitationpatterns .

Yukon’stemperature,windandprecipitationpatternshaveexperiencedsignificantchanges .Since1948,Yukon’sannualaveragetemperaturehasincreasedby2 .2°Candtheaveragewintertemperatureby5 .5°C(EnvironmentCanada,TrendsandVariations,2011) .Incomparison,Canada’soverallaveragetemperaturehasincreasedby1 .5°CandCanadianoverallwintertemperatureshaveincreasedby3 .6°Cinthesameperiod(EnvironmentCanada,TrendsandVariations,2011) .Yukonisexperiencingalteredprecipitationpatterns,especiallyinwinter,withsnowfallandrainpatternsoutsideofusualclimateexpectations(EnvironmentCanada,TrendsandVariations,2011) .Therearealsomoreextremeandunexpectedweatherevents,suchasflooding(Beasley,2010),andincreasedlightningactivitycorrelatedtoanunstableatmosphere(Purves,2006) .

Northernlatitudesareparticularlysensitivetoclimatechangebecausetheycontainmuchoftheworld’scryosphere,orareaswherenegativetemperaturesandsolidwaterexist .Ice,glaciers,permafrostandsnowcoverareexamplesofphysicalenvironmentsthatareparticularlysensitivetoawarmingclimate(Prowse,Furgal,Melling&Smith,2009) .

I nTroDuCTIonTheYukongovernmentrecognizesthatclimatechangeishappening,thathumanbehaviourisamajorcontributor,andthatacoordinatedresponseisneeded .TheYukongovernmenthasmadesignificantprogressontheclimatechangeactionsoutlinedinthe2009Climate Change Action Plan .Theseactionsdemonstratethegovernment’slong-termcommitmentstorespondingeffectivelytoclimatechange .

ThisreportdetailsprogressmadeontheYukongovernment’s33priorityclimatechangeactionsandonactionsthathavedevelopedoverthelastthreeyears .

how Climate Change affeCts Yukoners

Scientificresearch,traditionalknowledgeandpersonalexperienceallpointinthesamedirection:ourclimateischangingandYukon’sland,wildlife,andpeoplearedirectlyaffected .

Shifting biomes

Areaswithdistinctiveplantandanimalspecies,knownasbiomes,areshiftingduetoclimatechange .Southernplantsandanimals,forexample,aremovingnorthasYukon’sclimatewarms .Shiftingbiomescanleadtothespreadofinvasivespecies,thespreadofillnessesandparasites,disruptionoftraditionalfoodsources,and,encouragingly,anincreaseinagriculturalopportunities .

Melting Glaciers

IncreasingtemperaturesinthenortharecausingYukon’sglacierstomelt .Since1958,Yukonglaciershavelost22percentoftheirsurfaceareaandhavecontributedonaverage1 .13mmtoglobalsealevelrise(BarrardandSharp,2010) .Meltingglacierscanalsocauselocalorregionalwatershortagesandlocalizedflooding .

Thawing permafrost

Overhalfoftheplaceswherepermafrostexistedin1964alongtheAlaskaHighway(fromtheCityofWhitehorsetoFortSt .John)nolongercontainpermafrost .Wherepermafrostisstillpresent,theactivelayer,whereseasonalthawingoccurs,hasincreasedindepth(Bryan,Hinzman&Busey,2008) .PermafrostthawiscausingexpensivedamagetoYukon’sroadsandbuildings .Forexample,annualrepaircostsonthepermafrost-damaged200kilometrestretchofhighwaybetweenDestructionBayandtheUSborderaverages$30,000perkilometre,or$6millioneachyear .Permafrostfreestretchesofhighway,incontrast,averageabout$4,000perkilometre .PermafrostthawinghasledtoslumpingasseenonHerschelIsland(PollardandLantuit,2008)andtomorefrequentlandslides .

Departures from 1961–1990 average • Linear trend of 1.5˚C

Source: Environment Canada, Science and Technology Branch, Climate Research Division, 2011

MembersoftheWhiteRiverFirstNationinBeaverCreekarenoticingdifferentbirdmigrationpatterns,lowerberrycropyieldsassociatedwithlessprecipitation,andadecreaseinthepopulationofthelocalcaribouherd(Guyot,Dickson,Paci,Furgal&Chan,2006) .

GlaciersinYukonaregettingsmaller .Since1958,glaciershavedecreasedinsizeby22%(BarrardandSharp,2010) .

Umbellate Hawkweed(Hieracium umbellatum)—Oncearareplantfoundnearhotsprings,Narrow-leafHawkweedisstartingtospreadalongroadsidesandnowisgrowinginthickpatchesasfarwestasWhitehorse .

2 3

ProGreSS on Yu kon GovernMenT CLIMATe CHAnGe ACTIonSIn2009,theYukongovernmentreleaseditsClimate Change Action Plandetailingitsresponsetoclimatechange .TheActionPlanisbuiltontheGovernmentofYukonClimate Change Strategywhichoutlinesthegovernment’sroleandthefourgoalsforitsresponsetoclimatechange:

#1 – enhanCing knowledge and understanding of Climate Change,

#2 – adaPting to Climate Change,

#3 – reduCing greenhouse gas emissions, and

#4 – leading Yukon aCtion in resPonse to Climate Change.

PrioritY aCtions and develoPing aCtions

WhentheClimate Change Action Planwascreatedin2009,itrecognizedthatnotallactionsorgoalscouldbeachievedatthesametime .TheActionPlanthereforeincluded33‘priority’actions;thebulkofthisProgressReportisdedicatedtoupdatesonthesepriorityactions .TheActionPlanalsohighlightedactionsthatrequireadditionalinformation,research,regulations,policyorresources .InthisProgressReporttheyarecalled‘developing’actionitems .

the energY strategY for Yukon Detailsalong-termvisionfortheresponsibledevelopmentofenergyresourcesforYukon .Energyandenvironmentareinextricablylinked .TheEnergy Strategy for YukonwasdevelopedintandemwiththeClimate Change Action Plantohelpensurebothdealwithcommonissuesinaconsistentandcomplementarymanner .

goal #1 – enhanCing knowledge and understanding of Climate Change

InordertotakethoughtfulandeffectiveactiontoaddressYukon’schangingclimate,asolidfoundationinunderstandingclimatechangeisnecessary .TheYukongovernmentuseslocal,nationalandinternationalresearchandinformationtohelpidentifyYukon’sclimatechangeneeds .SincereleasingtheClimate Change Action Plan,theYukongovernmenthasaccomplishedits‘priority’and‘developing’actionsunderGoal#1 .TheYukongovernmentcontinuestosupportresearchinYukon .

Priority Action: research

TheYukongovernment,inpartnershipwiththeCouncilofYukonFirstNationsandYukonCollege,establishedtheYukon Research Centre(YRC)atYukonCollegeinOctober2009todevelopcollaborativeresearch,innovationandoutreachprojectstomeettheneedsofYukoners .InMarch2012,theYukongovernmentcommitted$2 .2millionovertwoyearstofurthersupporttheYukonResearchCentre’sactivities .TheYukongovernmentalsocommitted$2 .8millionoverfiveyearsforColdClimateInnovation,adivisionoftheYukonResearchCentre,toenablethecontinuingdevelopmentandcommercializationofcoldclimatetechnologiestoaddresstheneedsofnorthernersandtheircommunities .

TheYukongovernmentestablished climate change research study areaswiththeCouncilofYukonFirstNations,YukonCollege,theUniversityofNorthernBritishColumbiaandthedepartmentsofEnvironment,EnergyMinesandResources,andHighwaysandPublic

Works .WithfundingfromIndianandNorthernAffairsCanada(nowknownastheDepartmentofAboriginalAffairsandNorthernDevelopment),Yukongovernmentdepartmentsandpartnerscompletedadaptationprojectsto:

• Studyclimatechangeimpactsonwater,forests,permafrostandinfrastructure,

• IdentifyclimatechangepriorityareasofconcernforYukoncommunities,and

• Supportthedevelopmentofregionalclimatechangescenarios .

TheYukongovernmentsupportedthedevelopmentofregional climate change scenarioswiththeYukonResearchCentreandtheCouncilofYukonFirstNations .Thisproject,fundedbytheDepartmentofAboriginalAffairsandNorthernDevelopment,supportslocalscenariosmodellingusingYukonclimatechangedata .ThisprojectwillenableYukonerstomakeinformedadaptationandplanningdecisionsinachangingclimate .

Developing Action: Training

Since2009,theYukongovernment’sEnergySolutionsCentreandYukonHousingCorporationhaveofferedrenewableenergyandenergyefficiencycoursestobuildingandenergyprofessionalsandtotheYukonpublic .Coursetopicsincluded:do-it-yourselfhelpforhomebuilders;trainingontheLEED(LeadersinEnergyandEfficiencyDesign)standard;educationonalternativeenergysystemsforheating,residentialventilationandindoorairquality;trainingonfleetvehiclefuelefficiency;andtrainingandcertificationofhomeenergyevaluators .

reSeArCH extreme, unprecedented or unexpected weather events

Yukonersareseeingmoreextremeweathereventsincludinglightningstormsandflashfloods,aswellasperiodsofincreasedprecipitationanddry-periods .WarmertemperaturesintheDawsonCityareahaveledtoice-jamfloods(Beasley,2010) .DawsonCityandMayoareexpectedtoseea60percentincreaseinforestfiresby2035(McCoyandBurn,2005) .

WhitehorseproduceshelveswerealmostemptythreedaysafterfloodingclosedtheSouthAlaskaHighwayinJune2012 .SeverallandslidesandwashoutspreventedallvehiclesfromtravelingnorthofWatsonLake,limitinggroceryandfuelsuppliestoYukoncommunities .Yukon’schangingclimatemeansthatextremeweathereventsmaybecomemorecommon .

TheYukonResearchCentreatYukonCollege

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ProGreSS on Yu kon GovernMenT CLIMATe CHAnGe ACTIonSIn2009,theYukongovernmentreleaseditsClimate Change Action Plandetailingitsresponsetoclimatechange .TheActionPlanisbuiltontheGovernmentofYukonClimate Change Strategywhichoutlinesthegovernment’sroleandthefourgoalsforitsresponsetoclimatechange:

#1 – enhanCing knowledge and understanding of Climate Change,

#2 – adaPting to Climate Change,

#3 – reduCing greenhouse gas emissions, and

#4 – leading Yukon aCtion in resPonse to Climate Change.

PrioritY aCtions and develoPing aCtions

WhentheClimate Change Action Planwascreatedin2009,itrecognizedthatnotallactionsorgoalscouldbeachievedatthesametime .TheActionPlanthereforeincluded33‘priority’actions;thebulkofthisProgressReportisdedicatedtoupdatesonthesepriorityactions .TheActionPlanalsohighlightedactionsthatrequireadditionalinformation,research,regulations,policyorresources .InthisProgressReporttheyarecalled‘developing’actionitems .

the energY strategY for Yukon Detailsalong-termvisionfortheresponsibledevelopmentofenergyresourcesforYukon .Energyandenvironmentareinextricablylinked .TheEnergy Strategy for YukonwasdevelopedintandemwiththeClimate Change Action Plantohelpensurebothdealwithcommonissuesinaconsistentandcomplementarymanner .

goal #1 – enhanCing knowledge and understanding of Climate Change

InordertotakethoughtfulandeffectiveactiontoaddressYukon’schangingclimate,asolidfoundationinunderstandingclimatechangeisnecessary .TheYukongovernmentuseslocal,nationalandinternationalresearchandinformationtohelpidentifyYukon’sclimatechangeneeds .SincereleasingtheClimate Change Action Plan,theYukongovernmenthasaccomplishedits‘priority’and‘developing’actionsunderGoal#1 .TheYukongovernmentcontinuestosupportresearchinYukon .

Priority Action: research

TheYukongovernment,inpartnershipwiththeCouncilofYukonFirstNationsandYukonCollege,establishedtheYukon Research Centre(YRC)atYukonCollegeinOctober2009todevelopcollaborativeresearch,innovationandoutreachprojectstomeettheneedsofYukoners .InMarch2012,theYukongovernmentcommitted$2 .2millionovertwoyearstofurthersupporttheYukonResearchCentre’sactivities .TheYukongovernmentalsocommitted$2 .8millionoverfiveyearsforColdClimateInnovation,adivisionoftheYukonResearchCentre,toenablethecontinuingdevelopmentandcommercializationofcoldclimatetechnologiestoaddresstheneedsofnorthernersandtheircommunities .

TheYukongovernmentestablished climate change research study areaswiththeCouncilofYukonFirstNations,YukonCollege,theUniversityofNorthernBritishColumbiaandthedepartmentsofEnvironment,EnergyMinesandResources,andHighwaysandPublic

Works .WithfundingfromIndianandNorthernAffairsCanada(nowknownastheDepartmentofAboriginalAffairsandNorthernDevelopment),Yukongovernmentdepartmentsandpartnerscompletedadaptationprojectsto:

• Studyclimatechangeimpactsonwater,forests,permafrostandinfrastructure,

• IdentifyclimatechangepriorityareasofconcernforYukoncommunities,and

• Supportthedevelopmentofregionalclimatechangescenarios .

TheYukongovernmentsupportedthedevelopmentofregional climate change scenarioswiththeYukonResearchCentreandtheCouncilofYukonFirstNations .Thisproject,fundedbytheDepartmentofAboriginalAffairsandNorthernDevelopment,supportslocalscenariosmodellingusingYukonclimatechangedata .ThisprojectwillenableYukonerstomakeinformedadaptationandplanningdecisionsinachangingclimate .

Developing Action: Training

Since2009,theYukongovernment’sEnergySolutionsCentreandYukonHousingCorporationhaveofferedrenewableenergyandenergyefficiencycoursestobuildingandenergyprofessionalsandtotheYukonpublic .Coursetopicsincluded:do-it-yourselfhelpforhomebuilders;trainingontheLEED(LeadersinEnergyandEfficiencyDesign)standard;educationonalternativeenergysystemsforheating,residentialventilationandindoorairquality;trainingonfleetvehiclefuelefficiency;andtrainingandcertificationofhomeenergyevaluators .

reSeArCH extreme, unprecedented or unexpected weather events

Yukonersareseeingmoreextremeweathereventsincludinglightningstormsandflashfloods,aswellasperiodsofincreasedprecipitationanddry-periods .WarmertemperaturesintheDawsonCityareahaveledtoice-jamfloods(Beasley,2010) .DawsonCityandMayoareexpectedtoseea60percentincreaseinforestfiresby2035(McCoyandBurn,2005) .

WhitehorseproduceshelveswerealmostemptythreedaysafterfloodingclosedtheSouthAlaskaHighwayinJune2012 .SeverallandslidesandwashoutspreventedallvehiclesfromtravelingnorthofWatsonLake,limitinggroceryandfuelsuppliestoYukoncommunities .Yukon’schangingclimatemeansthatextremeweathereventsmaybecomemorecommon .

TheYukonResearchCentreatYukonCollege

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goal #2 – adaPting to Climate Change

TheeffectsofclimatechangearefeltintenselyinCanada’snorth .TheYukongovernmentisdedicatingattention,timeandresourcessothateffectiveadaptationmeasuresaretakenacrosstheterritory .Adaptationisboththeactofcopingwiththenegativeimpactsofclimatechangeandembracingtheopportunitiesthatmayarise .TheYukongovernmentistakingactiontoensurethatadaptationresearchandinnovationprojectsdeliverlastingpositivebenefitsforYukoners .Theseprojectsincreaseourknowledgeandawarenessoftherisksassociatedwithclimatechange,buildresilienceandcapacitytoaddresstheserisks,anddevelopandimplementcreativeandinnovativesolutionsthatworkinournorthernenvironment .

From2008-2011,thefederalDepartmentofAboriginalAffairsandNorthernDevelopmentprovidedtheYukongovernmentwith$2 .1millionoverfouryearsforadaptationprojectsdealingwithwaterresources,buildinginfrastructure,forests,andclimatechangescenariodevelopment .ThedepartmentprovidedadditionalfundinginMay2012tosupportnineadaptationprojectsinYukonoverfouryearsincluding:documentingecosystemchanges;floodriskmapping;andtheimpactofthawingpermafrostonYukonhighways,agriculture,andwaterresources .

TheYukongovernmentcontinuestoworkwithlocal,territorial,provincial,nationalandinternationalpartnersonadaptationinitiativesthatbenefitYukoners .ThroughpartnershipwithColdClimateInnovationandtheNorthernClimateExChange,theYukongovernmentbenefitsfromnorthernspecificresearchandinnovationprojectsthatstrengthenresiliencetoclimatechangeimpacts .ThroughthePan-Territorial Adaptation Strategy,theGovernmentsofYukon,NorthwestTerritoriesandNunavutareworkingtogetheronclimatechangewithafocusonpracticaladaptationmeasures .Thispartnershipwillhostapermafrostadaptationworkshopin2013tobringtogetheradaptationprofessionalsandresearcherstoexamineandaddresstheimpactsofthawingpermafrost .

Priority Action: Infrastructure

TheDepartmentofHighwaysandPublicWorks,inpartnershipwiththeYukonGeologicalSurveyandtheDepartmentofAboriginalAffairsandNorthernDevelopment,completedamulti-yearinfrastructure risk and vulnerability assessmentofYukongovernmentbuildingsinareaswherepermafrostisthawing .

Inadditiontoidentifyinginfrastructureadaptationstrategies,researchersfromtheYukonGeologicalSurveycreatedaninventory of permafrost informationtofacilitateandencouragecooperativeandcollaborativepermafrostrelatedworkandresearchactivities .www.permafrost.gov.yk.ca

Priority Action: Water

TheWaterResourcesBranchofEnvironmentYukon,withDepartmentofAboriginalAffairsandNorthernDevelopmentfunding,completedawater resources risk and vulnerability assessmentthathighlightscurrentandforecastedwaterresourceissuesinYukonrelatedtoclimatechange .

Theassociatedweb-based information toolprovideswaterdataandinformationusefultowaterusersandwatermanagerswantingtoadapttheirwaterprogramstoachanginghydrologicregime .yukonwater.ca

Inthenationalandinternationalarena,EnvironmentYukonstaffcontinuetoparticipateinclimatechangenegotiationsandprogramdevelopmenttoensurethatYukonandnorthernneedsareeffectivelyaddressed .

Takingtimely,effectiveadaptationmeasureswillcontributetotheongoinghealthandsafetyofYukoners,advancenortherninnovationprojects,andenableustoflourishinthefaceofachangingclimate .

ADAPTATIon

ResearchersatSt .Andrew’sChurch,Dawson,engageinpermafroststudies .

adaPtation ProjeCts Past, Present and futureTheYukongovernment’sClimateChangeSecretariat,inpartnershipwiththeCouncilofYukonFirstNationsandtheNorthernClimateExChange,YukonCollege,hostsannualAdaptationPractitioners’Forums .Attheseforums,adaptationpractitionersfromacrossYukonlearnaboutotherprojects,identifyopportunitiesforcollaboration,andattempttostrengthenYukon’sabilitytoeffectivelyadapttoclimatechange .Thismapshowswhereadaptationprojectsaretakingplaceacrosstheterritory .Inadditiontothepast,presentandproposedprojectsshownhere,11additionaladaptationprojectsareYukon-wideinscope .

6

goal #2 – adaPting to Climate Change

TheeffectsofclimatechangearefeltintenselyinCanada’snorth .TheYukongovernmentisdedicatingattention,timeandresourcessothateffectiveadaptationmeasuresaretakenacrosstheterritory .Adaptationisboththeactofcopingwiththenegativeimpactsofclimatechangeandembracingtheopportunitiesthatmayarise .TheYukongovernmentistakingactiontoensurethatadaptationresearchandinnovationprojectsdeliverlastingpositivebenefitsforYukoners .Theseprojectsincreaseourknowledgeandawarenessoftherisksassociatedwithclimatechange,buildresilienceandcapacitytoaddresstheserisks,anddevelopandimplementcreativeandinnovativesolutionsthatworkinournorthernenvironment .

From2008-2011,thefederalDepartmentofAboriginalAffairsandNorthernDevelopmentprovidedtheYukongovernmentwith$2 .1millionoverfouryearsforadaptationprojectsdealingwithwaterresources,buildinginfrastructure,forests,andclimatechangescenariodevelopment .ThedepartmentprovidedadditionalfundinginMay2012tosupportnineadaptationprojectsinYukonoverfouryearsincluding:documentingecosystemchanges;floodriskmapping;andtheimpactofthawingpermafrostonYukonhighways,agriculture,andwaterresources .

TheYukongovernmentcontinuestoworkwithlocal,territorial,provincial,nationalandinternationalpartnersonadaptationinitiativesthatbenefitYukoners .ThroughpartnershipwithColdClimateInnovationandtheNorthernClimateExChange,theYukongovernmentbenefitsfromnorthernspecificresearchandinnovationprojectsthatstrengthenresiliencetoclimatechangeimpacts .ThroughthePan-Territorial Adaptation Strategy,theGovernmentsofYukon,NorthwestTerritoriesandNunavutareworkingtogetheronclimatechangewithafocusonpracticaladaptationmeasures .Thispartnershipwillhostapermafrostadaptationworkshopin2013tobringtogetheradaptationprofessionalsandresearcherstoexamineandaddresstheimpactsofthawingpermafrost .

Priority Action: Infrastructure

TheDepartmentofHighwaysandPublicWorks,inpartnershipwiththeYukonGeologicalSurveyandtheDepartmentofAboriginalAffairsandNorthernDevelopment,completedamulti-yearinfrastructure risk and vulnerability assessmentofYukongovernmentbuildingsinareaswherepermafrostisthawing .

Inadditiontoidentifyinginfrastructureadaptationstrategies,researchersfromtheYukonGeologicalSurveycreatedaninventory of permafrost informationtofacilitateandencouragecooperativeandcollaborativepermafrostrelatedworkandresearchactivities .www.permafrost.gov.yk.ca

Priority Action: Water

TheWaterResourcesBranchofEnvironmentYukon,withDepartmentofAboriginalAffairsandNorthernDevelopmentfunding,completedawater resources risk and vulnerability assessmentthathighlightscurrentandforecastedwaterresourceissuesinYukonrelatedtoclimatechange .

Theassociatedweb-based information toolprovideswaterdataandinformationusefultowaterusersandwatermanagerswantingtoadapttheirwaterprogramstoachanginghydrologicregime .yukonwater.ca

Inthenationalandinternationalarena,EnvironmentYukonstaffcontinuetoparticipateinclimatechangenegotiationsandprogramdevelopmenttoensurethatYukonandnorthernneedsareeffectivelyaddressed .

Takingtimely,effectiveadaptationmeasureswillcontributetotheongoinghealthandsafetyofYukoners,advancenortherninnovationprojects,andenableustoflourishinthefaceofachangingclimate .

ADAPTATIon

ResearchersatSt .Andrew’sChurch,Dawson,engageinpermafroststudies .

adaPtation ProjeCts Past, Present and futureTheYukongovernment’sClimateChangeSecretariat,inpartnershipwiththeCouncilofYukonFirstNationsandtheNorthernClimateExChange,YukonCollege,hostsannualAdaptationPractitioners’Forums .Attheseforums,adaptationpractitionersfromacrossYukonlearnaboutotherprojects,identifyopportunitiesforcollaboration,andattempttostrengthenYukon’sabilitytoeffectivelyadapttoclimatechange .Thismapshowswhereadaptationprojectsaretakingplaceacrosstheterritory .Inadditiontothepast,presentandproposedprojectsshownhere,11additionaladaptationprojectsareYukon-wideinscope .

6

Priority Action: forests

TheYukongovernmentisworkingonprojectsassociatedwiththeriskstoYukonforestsandcommunitiesposedbyclimatechange .TheForestManagementBranchoftheDepartmentofEnergy,MinesandResourcescompletedaYukon forest health risk assessmenttoidentifyforesthealthconcernsandisusingarisk-basedapproachtoaddresstheseconcerns .

TheForestManagementBranchisworkingonadaptationmeasuresduetoincreasedforestfiresandassociatedthreatstocommunities .Since2009,theBranchhasreduced forest fuel loadsin105hectaresofforestinsouthwestYukon .IncollaborationwiththeChampagneandAishihikFirstNations,theBranchhassecuredNorthernStrategyTrustFundfundingtocontinuethiswork .

TheBranchalsoconductedaYukon forest tree species and vulnerability assessmentinpartnershipwiththeDepartmentofAboriginalAffairsandNorthernDevelopmenttohelpdecisionmakersunderstandtherisksandopportunitiesassociatedwithchangesinourforestsduetoclimatechange .

Developing Action: biodiversity

TheYukongovernmentparticipatesinandleadsbiodiversitymonitoringprogramsthatincludeclimatechangeelements,suchastheWolfCreekResearchBasin,theArcticBorderlandEcologicalKnowledgeCo-op,andtheCommunityEcologicalMonitoringProject .

Developing Action: Land use Planning

TheYukongovernmentworkstoensurethatclimatechangeconsiderationsareincorporatedintolanduseplanningprojects .Duringtherecent“IssuesandInterests”phaseoftheDawsonregionalplanningprocess,theYukongovernmentworkedwiththeregionalplanningcommissiontoidentifyclimatechangeasakeyissueandprovidedplanningadvicerelatedtoclimatechange .

Developing Action: Community Adaptation Planning

TheYukongovernment,inpartnershipwiththeNorthernClimateExChange,secured$1 .21millionfromtheNorthernStrategyTrustFundtocompletetheCommunityClimateChangeAdaptationProject .TheresultingcommunityadaptationplanshelpWhitehorse,MayoandDawsonCityprepareforclimatechangebyevaluatingvulnerabilitiesandidentifyingplanstoadapttoclimatechangechallengesoropportunities .www.taiga.net/nce/adaptation/projects.html

Developing Action: emergency response Planning

TheYukonEmergencyMeasuresOrganizationisworkingondetailed‘hazardsandrisksvulnerabilityassessments’forYukoncommunities .TheseassessmentssupportplanningandprovideassistancetoYukoncommunitiesindevelopingemergencypreparednessplansforanycurrentandfuturepotentialthreats .

Developing Action: building Standards

TheDepartmentofCommunityServices,incollaborationwiththeCityofWhitehorse,iscontinuingitsworkonimprovingenergyefficiencyinnewbuildings .YukonHousingandCommunityServicesstaffassistedinthedevelopmentofaninsulationandventilationstandardsbylawfortheCityofWhitehorse .Bylaw2009-16wasimplementedinSeptember2009 .

Developing Action: Agriculture

TheYukongovernmentissupportingthelocalproductionandsaleofagriculturalproducts,contributingtocommunitysustainabilityandfoodsecurity .TheAgricultureBranchisresearchingplantvarietiesmostsuitedforproductioninthenorth,evaluatingmarketeconomics,anddeterminingtheeffectsofchangingpermafrostconditionsonagriculturalproduction .Initiativestodevelopruralagricultureincludefundingforbuildinginfrastructure,communitygardens,farmmarkets,training,andriskmanagement .

Developing Action: Human Health

Awarmingclimatemayleadtonorthwardshiftsinthedistributionofparasitesanddiseasesaffectinganimalsandhumans .TheYukongovernment,alongwithothercircumpolarjurisdictions,ismonitoringthehealth-relatedimpactsofclimatechange .

ADAPTATIon

EnvironmentYukonmonitorsbatcoloniesinthesouthernYukon .They’requitesensitivetoclimaticeffectsandmaybeapossibleearlywarningofashiftingclimate .

ForestryresearchersfromtheUniversityofNorthernBritishColumbiaconductingworknearTeslin .

Inthesummerof2010,acommunitygreenhousewasconstructedinDawsononlanddonatedbytheTrondekHwechin .FundingforthegreenhousecamefromtheCommunityClimateChangeAdaptationProject .

8

Scot

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reen

Ryan

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sey

Priority Action: forests

TheYukongovernmentisworkingonprojectsassociatedwiththeriskstoYukonforestsandcommunitiesposedbyclimatechange .TheForestManagementBranchoftheDepartmentofEnergy,MinesandResourcescompletedaYukon forest health risk assessmenttoidentifyforesthealthconcernsandisusingarisk-basedapproachtoaddresstheseconcerns .

TheForestManagementBranchisworkingonadaptationmeasuresduetoincreasedforestfiresandassociatedthreatstocommunities .Since2009,theBranchhasreduced forest fuel loadsin105hectaresofforestinsouthwestYukon .IncollaborationwiththeChampagneandAishihikFirstNations,theBranchhassecuredNorthernStrategyTrustFundfundingtocontinuethiswork .

TheBranchalsoconductedaYukon forest tree species and vulnerability assessmentinpartnershipwiththeDepartmentofAboriginalAffairsandNorthernDevelopmenttohelpdecisionmakersunderstandtherisksandopportunitiesassociatedwithchangesinourforestsduetoclimatechange .

Developing Action: biodiversity

TheYukongovernmentparticipatesinandleadsbiodiversitymonitoringprogramsthatincludeclimatechangeelements,suchastheWolfCreekResearchBasin,theArcticBorderlandEcologicalKnowledgeCo-op,andtheCommunityEcologicalMonitoringProject .

Developing Action: Land use Planning

TheYukongovernmentworkstoensurethatclimatechangeconsiderationsareincorporatedintolanduseplanningprojects .Duringtherecent“IssuesandInterests”phaseoftheDawsonregionalplanningprocess,theYukongovernmentworkedwiththeregionalplanningcommissiontoidentifyclimatechangeasakeyissueandprovidedplanningadvicerelatedtoclimatechange .

Developing Action: Community Adaptation Planning

TheYukongovernment,inpartnershipwiththeNorthernClimateExChange,secured$1 .21millionfromtheNorthernStrategyTrustFundtocompletetheCommunityClimateChangeAdaptationProject .TheresultingcommunityadaptationplanshelpWhitehorse,MayoandDawsonCityprepareforclimatechangebyevaluatingvulnerabilitiesandidentifyingplanstoadapttoclimatechangechallengesoropportunities .www.taiga.net/nce/adaptation/projects.html

Developing Action: emergency response Planning

TheYukonEmergencyMeasuresOrganizationisworkingondetailed‘hazardsandrisksvulnerabilityassessments’forYukoncommunities .TheseassessmentssupportplanningandprovideassistancetoYukoncommunitiesindevelopingemergencypreparednessplansforanycurrentandfuturepotentialthreats .

Developing Action: building Standards

TheDepartmentofCommunityServices,incollaborationwiththeCityofWhitehorse,iscontinuingitsworkonimprovingenergyefficiencyinnewbuildings .YukonHousingandCommunityServicesstaffassistedinthedevelopmentofaninsulationandventilationstandardsbylawfortheCityofWhitehorse .Bylaw2009-16wasimplementedinSeptember2009 .

Developing Action: Agriculture

TheYukongovernmentissupportingthelocalproductionandsaleofagriculturalproducts,contributingtocommunitysustainabilityandfoodsecurity .TheAgricultureBranchisresearchingplantvarietiesmostsuitedforproductioninthenorth,evaluatingmarketeconomics,anddeterminingtheeffectsofchangingpermafrostconditionsonagriculturalproduction .Initiativestodevelopruralagricultureincludefundingforbuildinginfrastructure,communitygardens,farmmarkets,training,andriskmanagement .

Developing Action: Human Health

Awarmingclimatemayleadtonorthwardshiftsinthedistributionofparasitesanddiseasesaffectinganimalsandhumans .TheYukongovernment,alongwithothercircumpolarjurisdictions,ismonitoringthehealth-relatedimpactsofclimatechange .

ADAPTATIon

EnvironmentYukonmonitorsbatcoloniesinthesouthernYukon .They’requitesensitivetoclimaticeffectsandmaybeapossibleearlywarningofashiftingclimate .

ForestryresearchersfromtheUniversityofNorthernBritishColumbiaconductingworknearTeslin .

Inthesummerof2010,acommunitygreenhousewasconstructedinDawsononlanddonatedbytheTrondekHwechin .FundingforthegreenhousecamefromtheCommunityClimateChangeAdaptationProject .

8

Scot

tG

reen

Ryan

Hen

nes

sey

MITIGATIon

goal #3 – reduCing greenhouse gas emissions

DuetoYukon’snorthernsetting,thetransportationsectorandtheheatingofcommercialandresidentialbuildingsproducesignificantgreenhousegas(GHG)emissions .TheYukongovernmentiscommittedtoreduceGHGemissionsfromgovernmentoperationsandisworkingcollaborativelytomanageGHGemissionsYukon-wide .

Priority: Yukon government operations

TheYukongovernmenthas set targets for its internal operations:capGHGemissionsatthelevelofemissionsin2010,reduceGHGemissionsby20percentbelowthecapby2015andworktowardsbecomingcarbonneutralby2020 .

TheYukongovernmentreports its yearly GHG emissions to The Climate Registry,anon-profitorganizationthatestablishesstandardsforbusinessesandgovernmentsinNorthAmericatocalculate,verifyandpubliclyreporttheircarbonfootprints .

TheClimateChangeSecretariatcollected,calculatedandsubmittedtheYukongovernment’s2010energyandfuelconsumptiondatatoTheClimateRegistry .ThedatawasindependentlyverifiedbyexternalauditorsandwenowknowthattheYukongovernmentgenerated43 .7kilotonnes(calculated)ofGHGemissionsin2010 .WiththeYukongovernment’sauditedbaselineestablished,annualreportsonGHGemissionsfrominternalgovernmentoperationsandactivitieswillbeavailable .

TheClimateChangeSecretariatiscontinuingitsworkonacarbon offset policythatwillfocusonencouraginginvestmentinYukon-basedinitiativesandbusinesses .TheoffsetmechanismwillassisttheYukongovernmentinworkingtowardsbecomingcarbonneutralby2020 .

TheYukongovernment’songoingeffortstoreduceGHGemissionsincludelookingatallgovernmentsourcingandpurchasingdecisions .TheGreen Procurement PolicywasestablishedinJune2010 .Itincorporatesconsiderationofclimatechangeintothegovernment’sgoods,constructionandservicesprocurementdecisions .

TheYukonHousingCorporationadoptedGreenHome energy efficiency standardsforitsgovernmentfundedhomeownershipprograms .AllnewconstructiondonebythecorporationisnowbuilttothenewGreenHomestandard .LowerenergyneedsforthesehomesresultsinfewerGHGemissionsandreducedhomeheatingcostscomparedtoconventionallybuilthomes .

ThePropertyManagementDivisionoftheDepartmentofHighwaysandPublicWorksimplementednewenergyefficiencystandardsforgovernmentfundedcommercialandinstitutionalconstructionandrenovation .NewconstructionusesLEED (Leaders in Energy and Efficiency Design) standardstoinfluencedesignandconstructionforhighenergyefficiency .

Initscontinuedeffortstoimproveenergyefficiencyandreduce the GHG emissions of the government’s light vehicle fleet,theSupplyServicesBranchoftheDepartmentofHighwaysandPublicWorkshasimplementedanewpolicywherefueleconomyisamajorfactorwhenmakingvehiclepurchases .Forty-twonewvehicleswerepurchasedin2011/12withbetterfuelefficiencythanthemodelstheyreplaced .

definit ion

Carbon neutralMaintaininganequalbalancebetweenproducingandstoringcarbon .Forexample,theproductionofcarbon-dioxideemissionscanbeoff-set,ormadeneutral,byundertakingcarbon-reducingactivitiessuchasplantingtreesinurbanareasorbuyingcarbonoffsetsfromawindenergycompany .

Heating Buildings

Mobile

22%

Electricity

6%1%

5%

65%1%Waste WaterTreatment

Solid WasteRentals

YUKON GOVERNMENT GHG EMISSIONS 2010

vehicles and equipment

buildings andstreetlights

vehicles, machinery & aviation

The Yukon Corrections Infrastructure Project is striving for LEED Silver Certification by incorporating these energy saving features into the design:

1) Installation of a 950 kilowatt Veiesmann Biomass boiler using wood pellets for fuel. This is the primary source of heating for the building with two propane fired boilers as backup.

2) Low voltage lighting controls and high efficiency fixtures throughout. 3) Public transit has added a bus stop to the entrance of the facility. 4) Bicycle racks have been installed. 5) Low maintenance landscaping and yard maintenance on the site. 6) Possible purchase of a hybrid vehicle for staff use. 7) Use of high density spray foam insulation on exterior wall assemblies.

greenhome standardTheYukonHousingCorporationisusingbuildingtechniquesforitsnewhousingunitstomakemoreefficientuseofenergyandtoreduceheatingcosts .www.housing.yk.ca/energy.html

Inrecognitionofoutstandingachievementinreportingandmanagingitscarbonfootprint,TheClimateRegistryawardedtheYukongovernmentClimate registered Silver StatusinApril2012 .ThishonourwasgiventotheYukongovernmentforitsclearGHGemissionreductiongoal,establishmentofabaseyearandatimelinetoachieveitsexpectedreductions,andfordemonstratingatleastfiveGHGreductionbestpractices .

10 11

MITIGATIon

goal #3 – reduCing greenhouse gas emissions

DuetoYukon’snorthernsetting,thetransportationsectorandtheheatingofcommercialandresidentialbuildingsproducesignificantgreenhousegas(GHG)emissions .TheYukongovernmentiscommittedtoreduceGHGemissionsfromgovernmentoperationsandisworkingcollaborativelytomanageGHGemissionsYukon-wide .

Priority: Yukon government operations

TheYukongovernmenthas set targets for its internal operations:capGHGemissionsatthelevelofemissionsin2010,reduceGHGemissionsby20percentbelowthecapby2015andworktowardsbecomingcarbonneutralby2020 .

TheYukongovernmentreports its yearly GHG emissions to The Climate Registry,anon-profitorganizationthatestablishesstandardsforbusinessesandgovernmentsinNorthAmericatocalculate,verifyandpubliclyreporttheircarbonfootprints .

TheClimateChangeSecretariatcollected,calculatedandsubmittedtheYukongovernment’s2010energyandfuelconsumptiondatatoTheClimateRegistry .ThedatawasindependentlyverifiedbyexternalauditorsandwenowknowthattheYukongovernmentgenerated43 .7kilotonnes(calculated)ofGHGemissionsin2010 .WiththeYukongovernment’sauditedbaselineestablished,annualreportsonGHGemissionsfrominternalgovernmentoperationsandactivitieswillbeavailable .

TheClimateChangeSecretariatiscontinuingitsworkonacarbon offset policythatwillfocusonencouraginginvestmentinYukon-basedinitiativesandbusinesses .TheoffsetmechanismwillassisttheYukongovernmentinworkingtowardsbecomingcarbonneutralby2020 .

TheYukongovernment’songoingeffortstoreduceGHGemissionsincludelookingatallgovernmentsourcingandpurchasingdecisions .TheGreen Procurement PolicywasestablishedinJune2010 .Itincorporatesconsiderationofclimatechangeintothegovernment’sgoods,constructionandservicesprocurementdecisions .

TheYukonHousingCorporationadoptedGreenHome energy efficiency standardsforitsgovernmentfundedhomeownershipprograms .AllnewconstructiondonebythecorporationisnowbuilttothenewGreenHomestandard .LowerenergyneedsforthesehomesresultsinfewerGHGemissionsandreducedhomeheatingcostscomparedtoconventionallybuilthomes .

ThePropertyManagementDivisionoftheDepartmentofHighwaysandPublicWorksimplementednewenergyefficiencystandardsforgovernmentfundedcommercialandinstitutionalconstructionandrenovation .NewconstructionusesLEED (Leaders in Energy and Efficiency Design) standardstoinfluencedesignandconstructionforhighenergyefficiency .

Initscontinuedeffortstoimproveenergyefficiencyandreduce the GHG emissions of the government’s light vehicle fleet,theSupplyServicesBranchoftheDepartmentofHighwaysandPublicWorkshasimplementedanewpolicywherefueleconomyisamajorfactorwhenmakingvehiclepurchases .Forty-twonewvehicleswerepurchasedin2011/12withbetterfuelefficiencythanthemodelstheyreplaced .

definit ion

Carbon neutralMaintaininganequalbalancebetweenproducingandstoringcarbon .Forexample,theproductionofcarbon-dioxideemissionscanbeoff-set,ormadeneutral,byundertakingcarbon-reducingactivitiessuchasplantingtreesinurbanareasorbuyingcarbonoffsetsfromawindenergycompany .

Heating Buildings

Mobile

22%

Electricity

6%1%

5%

65%1%Waste WaterTreatment

Solid WasteRentals

YUKON GOVERNMENT GHG EMISSIONS 2010

vehicles and equipment

buildings andstreetlights

vehicles, machinery & aviation

The Yukon Corrections Infrastructure Project is striving for LEED Silver Certification by incorporating these energy saving features into the design:

1) Installation of a 950 kilowatt Veiesmann Biomass boiler using wood pellets for fuel. This is the primary source of heating for the building with two propane fired boilers as backup.

2) Low voltage lighting controls and high efficiency fixtures throughout. 3) Public transit has added a bus stop to the entrance of the facility. 4) Bicycle racks have been installed. 5) Low maintenance landscaping and yard maintenance on the site. 6) Possible purchase of a hybrid vehicle for staff use. 7) Use of high density spray foam insulation on exterior wall assemblies.

greenhome standardTheYukonHousingCorporationisusingbuildingtechniquesforitsnewhousingunitstomakemoreefficientuseofenergyandtoreduceheatingcosts .www.housing.yk.ca/energy.html

Inrecognitionofoutstandingachievementinreportingandmanagingitscarbonfootprint,TheClimateRegistryawardedtheYukongovernmentClimate registered Silver StatusinApril2012 .ThishonourwasgiventotheYukongovernmentforitsclearGHGemissionreductiongoal,establishmentofabaseyearandatimelinetoachieveitsexpectedreductions,andfordemonstratingatleastfiveGHGreductionbestpractices .

10 11

• AsolarirrigationsystemwiththeLittleSalmon/CarmacksFirstNation,

• ThefeasibilityofbiomassheatingsystemfortwoCityofWhitehorseareaschoolsandthegovernment’ssignshop,

• Solarphotovoltaicsystemmonitoringinfivefacilitiesaroundtheterritory,and

• UseofinnovativebuildinginsulationtechniquesanddesignincludingtheuseofVacuumInsulatedPaneltechnology .

TheYukonHousingCorporationtrained home energy auditorssothatmorepeoplecanhaveaccesstoenergyevaluationstoimprovetheenergyefficiencyoftheirhomes .Auditortrainingforresidentialbuildingswasdeliveredin2008,2010and2011 .CommercialbuildingenergyauditingcoursesweredeliveredinMarch2009 .

TheDepartmentofEnergy,MinesandResourcesisintheadvancedstagesofdevelopingadraftbiomassenergystrategythatwillsupportwood energy opportunities for residential and institutional heating.

Developing Action: Solid Waste Sector

TheYukongovernmentcontinueditssupportforcommunityrecyclingdepotsandnon-governmentalrecyclingorganizations,workingtoreducewastecreation,promotepublicawareness,andencouragediversion .

Priority Action: Transportation

TheEnergySolutionsCentreandtheClimateChangeSecretariatareintheprocessofcompletinganextensivestudy of the transportation sectorwhichwillbeusedasabaselinefromwhichtodevelopoptionstoreduceGHGemissions .

TheMotorVehiclesBranchoftheDepartmentofHighwaysandPublicWorksencourages the use of fuel efficient transportationandisworkingwithNaturalResourcesCanadatoimprovefuelefficiencybypromotingefficientdrivingpractices .TheBranchhasincludedinformationonfuelefficiencyinthenewYukon Driver’s Basic Handbook for Cars and Light TrucksandwillbeincludingaspecificchapteronfuelefficientoperationofvehiclesinthenewCommercial Driver HandbookslatedforMarch2013 .TheMaking the Shift: Smart Driving for Professional DriversbrochurehasbeendistributedtoallMotorVehiclesoffices.AllClass1and5commercialwrittenexamswillhavequestionsrelatingtofuelefficientoperationofvehicles .

Priority Action: Commercial and residential buildings

TheEnergySolutionsCentreandtheYukonHousingCorporationundertookpilot projects to demonstrate home and commercial energy efficiency and new heating technology including:

• Heatpumpmonitoringinthreehomes,

• AfeasibilityassessmentofdistrictheatingintheCityofWhitehorse,

TheYukongovernmentimplementedanEnvironmental Stewardship InitiativetohelpreduceGHGemissionsinDepartmentofEducationfacilities .AnEnvironmentalStewardshipCoordinator,hiredin2010:

• ImplementedawastediversionprograminsixDepartmentofEducationfacilities .

• Purchasedandusedsoftwaredesignedtooptimizeschoolbusroutesandreduceemissions .

• CompletedapublictransitpilotprojectwithstudentsfromFHCollinsandVanierschoolsinpartnershipwiththeCityofWhitehorse .

• InstallednewenergyefficientlightingforthreeWhitehorseschools .

• CompletedthedesignofthenewFHCollinsschooltoLEEDstandards;designersarecontinuingtopursueinclusionofaninnovativegeothermalheatsystem .

• Monitoredheatenergyconsumption,foundationtemperature,domestichotwaterenergyandHRVperformanceinseveralYukonHousingCorporationownedunits .

Green Action CommitteeshavebeenestablishedinallYukongovernmentdepartmentstohelpidentify,developandimplementactionstosupportthefurtherreductionofGHGemissionsbydepartments .

WithknowledgethatenergyuseinbuildingsisthebiggestcontributortogovernmentGHGemissions,thePropertyandManagementDivisionisworkingtocompleteanenergy analysisofallYukongovernmentbuildingsandiscontinuingtoconductenergy saving retrofits.

ThePolicyBranchoftheDepartmentofEnergyMinesandResourcesiscontinuingthedevelopmentofbest management practices for industries to reduce GHG emissions;workbeganin2011onbestpracticesfortheoilandgasindustry .

MITIGATIon

WastestationsinaWhitehorseelementaryschool .

YukonHousinghasbuiltover120superinsulatedstaffandsocialhousingunitsincludingthishouseinWatsonLake .

12

• AsolarirrigationsystemwiththeLittleSalmon/CarmacksFirstNation,

• ThefeasibilityofbiomassheatingsystemfortwoCityofWhitehorseareaschoolsandthegovernment’ssignshop,

• Solarphotovoltaicsystemmonitoringinfivefacilitiesaroundtheterritory,and

• UseofinnovativebuildinginsulationtechniquesanddesignincludingtheuseofVacuumInsulatedPaneltechnology .

TheYukonHousingCorporationtrained home energy auditorssothatmorepeoplecanhaveaccesstoenergyevaluationstoimprovetheenergyefficiencyoftheirhomes .Auditortrainingforresidentialbuildingswasdeliveredin2008,2010and2011 .CommercialbuildingenergyauditingcoursesweredeliveredinMarch2009 .

TheDepartmentofEnergy,MinesandResourcesisintheadvancedstagesofdevelopingadraftbiomassenergystrategythatwillsupportwood energy opportunities for residential and institutional heating.

Developing Action: Solid Waste Sector

TheYukongovernmentcontinueditssupportforcommunityrecyclingdepotsandnon-governmentalrecyclingorganizations,workingtoreducewastecreation,promotepublicawareness,andencouragediversion .

Priority Action: Transportation

TheEnergySolutionsCentreandtheClimateChangeSecretariatareintheprocessofcompletinganextensivestudy of the transportation sectorwhichwillbeusedasabaselinefromwhichtodevelopoptionstoreduceGHGemissions .

TheMotorVehiclesBranchoftheDepartmentofHighwaysandPublicWorksencourages the use of fuel efficient transportationandisworkingwithNaturalResourcesCanadatoimprovefuelefficiencybypromotingefficientdrivingpractices .TheBranchhasincludedinformationonfuelefficiencyinthenewYukon Driver’s Basic Handbook for Cars and Light TrucksandwillbeincludingaspecificchapteronfuelefficientoperationofvehiclesinthenewCommercial Driver HandbookslatedforMarch2013 .TheMaking the Shift: Smart Driving for Professional DriversbrochurehasbeendistributedtoallMotorVehiclesoffices.AllClass1and5commercialwrittenexamswillhavequestionsrelatingtofuelefficientoperationofvehicles .

Priority Action: Commercial and residential buildings

TheEnergySolutionsCentreandtheYukonHousingCorporationundertookpilot projects to demonstrate home and commercial energy efficiency and new heating technology including:

• Heatpumpmonitoringinthreehomes,

• AfeasibilityassessmentofdistrictheatingintheCityofWhitehorse,

TheYukongovernmentimplementedanEnvironmental Stewardship InitiativetohelpreduceGHGemissionsinDepartmentofEducationfacilities .AnEnvironmentalStewardshipCoordinator,hiredin2010:

• ImplementedawastediversionprograminsixDepartmentofEducationfacilities .

• Purchasedandusedsoftwaredesignedtooptimizeschoolbusroutesandreduceemissions .

• CompletedapublictransitpilotprojectwithstudentsfromFHCollinsandVanierschoolsinpartnershipwiththeCityofWhitehorse .

• InstallednewenergyefficientlightingforthreeWhitehorseschools .

• CompletedthedesignofthenewFHCollinsschooltoLEEDstandards;designersarecontinuingtopursueinclusionofaninnovativegeothermalheatsystem .

• Monitoredheatenergyconsumption,foundationtemperature,domestichotwaterenergyandHRVperformanceinseveralYukonHousingCorporationownedunits .

Green Action CommitteeshavebeenestablishedinallYukongovernmentdepartmentstohelpidentify,developandimplementactionstosupportthefurtherreductionofGHGemissionsbydepartments .

WithknowledgethatenergyuseinbuildingsisthebiggestcontributortogovernmentGHGemissions,thePropertyandManagementDivisionisworkingtocompleteanenergy analysisofallYukongovernmentbuildingsandiscontinuingtoconductenergy saving retrofits.

ThePolicyBranchoftheDepartmentofEnergyMinesandResourcesiscontinuingthedevelopmentofbest management practices for industries to reduce GHG emissions;workbeganin2011onbestpracticesfortheoilandgasindustry .

MITIGATIon

WastestationsinaWhitehorseelementaryschool .

YukonHousinghasbuiltover120superinsulatedstaffandsocialhousingunitsincludingthishouseinWatsonLake .

12

goal #4 – lead Yukon aCtion in resPonse to Climate Change

TheYukongovernmentrecognizesthatclimatechangeishappeningandthatgovernmentleadership,coordination,andpartnershipareessential .Yukon’sGHGemissionsaccountforlessthanonepercentofCanada’semissions(EnvironmentCanada,2012),whichinturncontributelessthanonepercentofglobalGHGemissions(UNFCCCSecretariat,2011) .InordertohaveameaningfulimpactonGHGemissions,theYukongovernmentmustworkwithothers .Thefollowingactivitiesreflectthisreality .

LeADerSH I P

buILDInG SeCTor

buildings and energy efficiency Targets

Actions to support targets:

• PromotethenewEnerGuideforHomesratingsystem

• Developanewresidentialbuildingenergyefficiencyincentiveprogram

• ImplementenergyefficiencystandardsfornewbuildingsYukon-wide

• Requireenergyassessmentstobecompletedforclientsapplyingtogovernmentenergyconservationfundingprograms

• Investincapacitydevelopmentandtrainingforenergyassessors

by 2016, increase the average energy efficiency of new

residential, commercial and institutional buildings constructed outside of

Whitehorse by 25% when compared to buildings

constructed to 2011 energy efficiency standards

by 2020, reduce the emissions intensity

of existing residential, commercial and

institutional buildings across

Yukon by 5%

by 2020, meet 20% of government buildings’

space heating needs with clean

energy sources

• Promotetheenergyefficiencyretrofitincentiveprogram

• Developaperformanceauditprogramforsuspectedproblembuildingsanddevelopaplantoimprovetheenergyperformanceofthesebuildings

• PilotacommunityenergyplanningprocesswitharuralYukoncommunityandcontinueenergyplanningthroughoutYukoncommunities

• CompleteaBiomassEnergyStrategy

Priority Action: emission Targets

ThefederalgovernmentreportsYukon’sGHGemissionsintheNationalGHGInventoryreport .Inordertoensure that the national GHG Inventory is accurate and consistent for Yukon,theYukongovernment’sClimateChangeSecretariatcontinuestocollaboratewithEnvironmentCanadaonwaystoimprovetheaccuracyoffederaldatacollectionfortheYukoncontext .

DespiteYukon’srelativelysmallvolumeofGHGemissions,thegovernmentrecognizestheimportanceofmanagingGHGemissionsandispreparedtoleadtheworkneededtodothis .Originally,theYukongovernmentcommittedtomanagingGHGemissionsthroughtheuseofaYukon-widetarget .ClimateChangeSecretariatstaffworkedwithtechnicalexpertsthroughout2011usingeconomicandsocialtrendanalysisandtheNationalGHGInventorytoattempttoforecast GHG emissions in Yukon .

ThisworkledtotheconclusionthataccuratepredictionsofwhatYukon’spopulation,levelofindustrialactivity,economicgrowth,andclimatetrendswillbeoverthenext10—letalone30—yearsarenotpossible .

So,ratherthancommittoanarbitrarytargetbasedonestimatedprojectionsofYukon’seconomicgrowth,thegovernmentisworkingwithkeyplayersintheelectricity,buildingandenergyefficiency,industrial,andtransportationsectorstoidentifyactionsthatwillleadtorealisticandmeasurableoutcomestominimizegrowthinYukon’soverallGHGemissions .

3%Manitoba

25%Ontario

11%Saskatchewan 34%

Alberta

8%

0%1%

British Columbia

3%Nova Scotia

3%New Brunswick3%

Québec

Northwest Territories,Nunavut & Yukon

Newfoundland & Labrador

0% Prince Edward Island

CANADA’S 2010 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

14 15

goal #4 – lead Yukon aCtion in resPonse to Climate Change

TheYukongovernmentrecognizesthatclimatechangeishappeningandthatgovernmentleadership,coordination,andpartnershipareessential .Yukon’sGHGemissionsaccountforlessthanonepercentofCanada’semissions(EnvironmentCanada,2012),whichinturncontributelessthanonepercentofglobalGHGemissions(UNFCCCSecretariat,2011) .InordertohaveameaningfulimpactonGHGemissions,theYukongovernmentmustworkwithothers .Thefollowingactivitiesreflectthisreality .

LeADerSH I P

buILDInG SeCTor

buildings and energy efficiency Targets

Actions to support targets:

• PromotethenewEnerGuideforHomesratingsystem

• Developanewresidentialbuildingenergyefficiencyincentiveprogram

• ImplementenergyefficiencystandardsfornewbuildingsYukon-wide

• Requireenergyassessmentstobecompletedforclientsapplyingtogovernmentenergyconservationfundingprograms

• Investincapacitydevelopmentandtrainingforenergyassessors

by 2016, increase the average energy efficiency of new

residential, commercial and institutional buildings constructed outside of

Whitehorse by 25% when compared to buildings

constructed to 2011 energy efficiency standards

by 2020, reduce the emissions intensity

of existing residential, commercial and

institutional buildings across

Yukon by 5%

by 2020, meet 20% of government buildings’

space heating needs with clean

energy sources

• Promotetheenergyefficiencyretrofitincentiveprogram

• Developaperformanceauditprogramforsuspectedproblembuildingsanddevelopaplantoimprovetheenergyperformanceofthesebuildings

• PilotacommunityenergyplanningprocesswitharuralYukoncommunityandcontinueenergyplanningthroughoutYukoncommunities

• CompleteaBiomassEnergyStrategy

Priority Action: emission Targets

ThefederalgovernmentreportsYukon’sGHGemissionsintheNationalGHGInventoryreport .Inordertoensure that the national GHG Inventory is accurate and consistent for Yukon,theYukongovernment’sClimateChangeSecretariatcontinuestocollaboratewithEnvironmentCanadaonwaystoimprovetheaccuracyoffederaldatacollectionfortheYukoncontext .

DespiteYukon’srelativelysmallvolumeofGHGemissions,thegovernmentrecognizestheimportanceofmanagingGHGemissionsandispreparedtoleadtheworkneededtodothis .Originally,theYukongovernmentcommittedtomanagingGHGemissionsthroughtheuseofaYukon-widetarget .ClimateChangeSecretariatstaffworkedwithtechnicalexpertsthroughout2011usingeconomicandsocialtrendanalysisandtheNationalGHGInventorytoattempttoforecast GHG emissions in Yukon .

ThisworkledtotheconclusionthataccuratepredictionsofwhatYukon’spopulation,levelofindustrialactivity,economicgrowth,andclimatetrendswillbeoverthenext10—letalone30—yearsarenotpossible .

So,ratherthancommittoanarbitrarytargetbasedonestimatedprojectionsofYukon’seconomicgrowth,thegovernmentisworkingwithkeyplayersintheelectricity,buildingandenergyefficiency,industrial,andtransportationsectorstoidentifyactionsthatwillleadtorealisticandmeasurableoutcomestominimizegrowthinYukon’soverallGHGemissions .

3%Manitoba

25%Ontario

11%Saskatchewan 34%

Alberta

8%

0%1%

British Columbia

3%Nova Scotia

3%New Brunswick3%

Québec

Northwest Territories,Nunavut & Yukon

Newfoundland & Labrador

0% Prince Edward Island

CANADA’S 2010 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

14 15

Actions to support targets:

• Developanenergyauditserviceinconsultationwithindustrialoperations,includingmines

• Communicateenergyconservationstrategieswithindustrialoperations

• DevelopbestpracticesforreducingGHGemissions

• Encouragetheuseofbestavailable,energyefficienttechnologyinpower-purchaseagreements

• Encouragefeasibilityanalysisofrenewableenergyoptionsfornewindustrialprojects

• WorkwithYukonoperatingminestoidentifyneedsandopportunitiestoconserveelectricityandenergy,andreduceGHGemissions

• EncourageenergyconservationinallnewindustrialoperationstoreduceelectricalenergydemandandminimizeGHGemissions

InDuSTrIAL oPerATIonS SeCTor

Industrial operations Targets

TrAnSPorTATIon

Transportation Targets

by 2015, reduce emissions from Yukon

government light fleet operations

by 5%

by 2016, reduce the electrical energy intensity of industrial operations,

including mines, which were operating

in 2011 by 15%

by 2015, reduce emissions in the transportation

sector by 10%

by 2014, establish reporting protocols

for stationary facilities emitting

over 2 .5 kilotonnes of GHG’s per year

Actions to support targets:

• Inco-operationwiththefederalDepartmentofNaturalResources,educatecommercialfleetoperatorsanddriversondrivingtechniquesdesignedtoreducefuelusageandGHGemissions

• Conductareviewofthetransportationsectorandidentifyandimplementactivitiestoreduceemissions

• Considerfuelefficiencyinvehiclereplacementdecisions

eLeCTrICITY SeCTor

electricity Sector Targets

Actions to support targets:

• Replaceexistingon-griddieselgenerationwithalowercarbontechnology

• Determinethefeasibilityofabiomasspowergenerationplant

• CompleteandimplementaDemandSideManagementPlan

• ContinuetoimplementenergyefficiencyprogramsthroughtheEnergySolutionsCentre

• CompleteaNetMeteringPolicyandIndependentPowerProducerPolicy

by 2020, reduce the emission intensity

of on-grid diesel power generation

by 20%

by 2016, reduce on-grid electrical

energy use through demand-side

management programs by 5 GWh

LeADerSH I P

Definit ions

on-gridElectricitythatisgeneratedandusedwithintheYukonelectricalgrid .

demand side management Initiativestoencourageustouseenergymoreefficiently,uselessenergyduringpeakperiods,ortouseadifferenttypeoffueltoprovideenergy .

net metering Electricityconsumerswhoownsmall,renewableenergygeneratorssuchaswindorsolarcanreceiveacreditforaportionoftheelectricitytheygenerate .

1716

Actions to support targets:

• Developanenergyauditserviceinconsultationwithindustrialoperations,includingmines

• Communicateenergyconservationstrategieswithindustrialoperations

• DevelopbestpracticesforreducingGHGemissions

• Encouragetheuseofbestavailable,energyefficienttechnologyinpower-purchaseagreements

• Encouragefeasibilityanalysisofrenewableenergyoptionsfornewindustrialprojects

• WorkwithYukonoperatingminestoidentifyneedsandopportunitiestoconserveelectricityandenergy,andreduceGHGemissions

• EncourageenergyconservationinallnewindustrialoperationstoreduceelectricalenergydemandandminimizeGHGemissions

InDuSTrIAL oPerATIonS SeCTor

Industrial operations Targets

TrAnSPorTATIon

Transportation Targets

by 2015, reduce emissions from Yukon

government light fleet operations

by 5%

by 2016, reduce the electrical energy intensity of industrial operations,

including mines, which were operating

in 2011 by 15%

by 2015, reduce emissions in the transportation

sector by 10%

by 2014, establish reporting protocols

for stationary facilities emitting

over 2 .5 kilotonnes of GHG’s per year

Actions to support targets:

• Inco-operationwiththefederalDepartmentofNaturalResources,educatecommercialfleetoperatorsanddriversondrivingtechniquesdesignedtoreducefuelusageandGHGemissions

• Conductareviewofthetransportationsectorandidentifyandimplementactivitiestoreduceemissions

• Considerfuelefficiencyinvehiclereplacementdecisions

eLeCTrICITY SeCTor

electricity Sector Targets

Actions to support targets:

• Replaceexistingon-griddieselgenerationwithalowercarbontechnology

• Determinethefeasibilityofabiomasspowergenerationplant

• CompleteandimplementaDemandSideManagementPlan

• ContinuetoimplementenergyefficiencyprogramsthroughtheEnergySolutionsCentre

• CompleteaNetMeteringPolicyandIndependentPowerProducerPolicy

by 2020, reduce the emission intensity

of on-grid diesel power generation

by 20%

by 2016, reduce on-grid electrical

energy use through demand-side

management programs by 5 GWh

LeADerSH I P

Definit ions

on-gridElectricitythatisgeneratedandusedwithintheYukonelectricalgrid .

demand side management Initiativestoencourageustouseenergymoreefficiently,uselessenergyduringpeakperiods,ortouseadifferenttypeoffueltoprovideenergy .

net metering Electricityconsumerswhoownsmall,renewableenergygeneratorssuchaswindorsolarcanreceiveacreditforaportionoftheelectricitytheygenerate .

1716

An D TH e Work ConTI n u eS…

TheYukongovernmenthasmadesignificantprogressonitscommitmentsintheClimate Change Action Plan.ByactivelyaddressingActionPlanprioritiesanddevelopingactions,theYukongovernmenthasbothachievedmeasurablesuccessandstrengtheneditsunderstandingoftheevolvingclimatechangeneedsintheNorth .TheYukongovernmentcontinuestoremainflexibleandresponsivetoYukon’sclimatechangerealitybytakingactionwhenandwhereitisnecessary .ExamplesofhowtheYukongovernmenthasgoneaboveandbeyondthecalltoactionintheClimate Change Action Planinclude:

• TheParksBranchofEnvironmentYukonmadesureitsnewinterpretivecentreatTombstoneTerritorialParkwasbuiltforhighenergyefficiencybyusingsolarpanels,passiveheatingandnaturallight .

• ThePolicyBranchoftheDepartmentofEnergyMinesandResourceshasbeenworkingonindependentpowerproductionandnetmeteringpolicies .Apublicconsultationonadraftnetmeteringpolicywasheldinthespringof2011 .Thepolicylookedatpossiblepolicyobjectives,eligiblesources,sizeofprojects,gridconnection,financialarrangements,roleandresponsibilities .Netmeteringappealstoelectricalcustomerswhowouldliketogenerateelectricityforpersonalconsumptionandfeedrelativelysmallamountsofexcessenergyintothegridforacredit .

• TheYukongovernmenthasjoinedtheWesternClimateInitiative—madeupofseveralprovincesandAmericanstates—asanobserver .

• TheClimateChangeSecretariatdevelopedaPan-Territorial Adaptation StrategywithitscounterpartsintheNorthwestTerritories,NunavutandcolleaguesintheYukongovernment .

TheYukongovernmentcontinuestodemonstrateleadershipandmakesignificantprogressonadaptation,mitigation,andfurtheringunderstandingofclimatechangeinYukon .TheClimate Change Action Planandotherclimatechangeachievementsnotonlyshowthatthegovernmentiscommittedtomeetingclimatechangechallenges,butthatitwillrespondinwaysthatprovideeconomic,socialandenvironmentalbenefitsforallYukoners .

Emissionsreductionseffortswithineachsector,combinedwiththeYukongovernment’sownworktowardscarbonneutraloperationsby2020,willsupporttheterritory’sdevelopingeconomy,improveenergyefficiency,minimizeincreasesinGHGemissionsandshowleadershipnationallyandinternationally .

Priority Action: Leadership

Inearly2009,theYukongovernmentcreated the Climate Change Secretariat.ThemajorroleofthesecretariatistoensuretheactionsintheClimateChangeActionPlanareimplementedandtoprovidegovernment-wideleadershipandcoordinationonclimatechangeprojects .

TheDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmenthascompletedinitialbackgroundworktodetermine the potential for a Yukon carbon economy.Furtherworkwillbeconductedassector-specificstrategiesaredeveloped .

TheClimateChangeSecretariatisworkinginpartnershipwiththeNorthernClimateExChangetoincorporate climate change considerations into government decision-making.TheClimateChangeInformationandMainstreamingProgramoffersclimatechangecoursesandprojectsupport .Sincetheprogram’sinceptionin2010,morethan100governmentemployeesacrosseightdepartmentshaveparticipatedinthe“DecisionMakingforClimateChange”courseandfivegovernmentdepartmentsornon-governmentorganizationshavetakenadvantageofclimatechangeprojectsupport .

LeADerSH I P

Priority Action: Coordination and Partnership Development

TheClimateChangeSecretariathashostedfiveannualyouth engagement forumsfortakingactiononclimatechange .TheseforumscontinuetoprovideYukonyouthanopportunitytolearnaboutclimatechangeandtogetinvolvedinclimatechangeactionintheterritory .TheYukongovernmentalsoactivelyparticipatesinandsupportsyouthatUnitedNationsclimatechangeconferenceswhichfocusonglobalconcernsaboutclimatechange .

Developing Action: review and report

TheYukongovernment’sClimateChangeSecretariatanditsdepartmentpartnersregularlyreportprogressonclimatechangeactions .TheSecretariatwillupdatetheClimate Change Action Planasactionsarecompletedandnewclimatechangeactionsareidentified .

the western Climate initiative

Acollaborationofindependentjurisdictionsworkingtogethertoidentify,evaluate,andimplementemissionstradingpoliciestotackleclimatechangeataregionallevel .Thisisacomprehensiveefforttoreducegreenhousegaspollution,spurinvestmentinclean-energytechnologiesthatcreategreenjobsandreducedependenceonimportedoil .

DuringAugustof2012Yukonhosted40participantsfrom8northernregionsattheNorthernForumYouthEcoForum .Theeventbroughttogetheryoungparticipantstodevelopagreaterunderstandingofclimatechange .

1918

An D TH e Work ConTI n u eS…

TheYukongovernmenthasmadesignificantprogressonitscommitmentsintheClimate Change Action Plan.ByactivelyaddressingActionPlanprioritiesanddevelopingactions,theYukongovernmenthasbothachievedmeasurablesuccessandstrengtheneditsunderstandingoftheevolvingclimatechangeneedsintheNorth .TheYukongovernmentcontinuestoremainflexibleandresponsivetoYukon’sclimatechangerealitybytakingactionwhenandwhereitisnecessary .ExamplesofhowtheYukongovernmenthasgoneaboveandbeyondthecalltoactionintheClimate Change Action Planinclude:

• TheParksBranchofEnvironmentYukonmadesureitsnewinterpretivecentreatTombstoneTerritorialParkwasbuiltforhighenergyefficiencybyusingsolarpanels,passiveheatingandnaturallight .

• ThePolicyBranchoftheDepartmentofEnergyMinesandResourceshasbeenworkingonindependentpowerproductionandnetmeteringpolicies .Apublicconsultationonadraftnetmeteringpolicywasheldinthespringof2011 .Thepolicylookedatpossiblepolicyobjectives,eligiblesources,sizeofprojects,gridconnection,financialarrangements,roleandresponsibilities .Netmeteringappealstoelectricalcustomerswhowouldliketogenerateelectricityforpersonalconsumptionandfeedrelativelysmallamountsofexcessenergyintothegridforacredit .

• TheYukongovernmenthasjoinedtheWesternClimateInitiative—madeupofseveralprovincesandAmericanstates—asanobserver .

• TheClimateChangeSecretariatdevelopedaPan-Territorial Adaptation StrategywithitscounterpartsintheNorthwestTerritories,NunavutandcolleaguesintheYukongovernment .

TheYukongovernmentcontinuestodemonstrateleadershipandmakesignificantprogressonadaptation,mitigation,andfurtheringunderstandingofclimatechangeinYukon .TheClimate Change Action Planandotherclimatechangeachievementsnotonlyshowthatthegovernmentiscommittedtomeetingclimatechangechallenges,butthatitwillrespondinwaysthatprovideeconomic,socialandenvironmentalbenefitsforallYukoners .

Emissionsreductionseffortswithineachsector,combinedwiththeYukongovernment’sownworktowardscarbonneutraloperationsby2020,willsupporttheterritory’sdevelopingeconomy,improveenergyefficiency,minimizeincreasesinGHGemissionsandshowleadershipnationallyandinternationally .

Priority Action: Leadership

Inearly2009,theYukongovernmentcreated the Climate Change Secretariat.ThemajorroleofthesecretariatistoensuretheactionsintheClimateChangeActionPlanareimplementedandtoprovidegovernment-wideleadershipandcoordinationonclimatechangeprojects .

TheDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmenthascompletedinitialbackgroundworktodetermine the potential for a Yukon carbon economy.Furtherworkwillbeconductedassector-specificstrategiesaredeveloped .

TheClimateChangeSecretariatisworkinginpartnershipwiththeNorthernClimateExChangetoincorporate climate change considerations into government decision-making.TheClimateChangeInformationandMainstreamingProgramoffersclimatechangecoursesandprojectsupport .Sincetheprogram’sinceptionin2010,morethan100governmentemployeesacrosseightdepartmentshaveparticipatedinthe“DecisionMakingforClimateChange”courseandfivegovernmentdepartmentsornon-governmentorganizationshavetakenadvantageofclimatechangeprojectsupport .

LeADerSH I P

Priority Action: Coordination and Partnership Development

TheClimateChangeSecretariathashostedfiveannualyouth engagement forumsfortakingactiononclimatechange .TheseforumscontinuetoprovideYukonyouthanopportunitytolearnaboutclimatechangeandtogetinvolvedinclimatechangeactionintheterritory .TheYukongovernmentalsoactivelyparticipatesinandsupportsyouthatUnitedNationsclimatechangeconferenceswhichfocusonglobalconcernsaboutclimatechange .

Developing Action: review and report

TheYukongovernment’sClimateChangeSecretariatanditsdepartmentpartnersregularlyreportprogressonclimatechangeactions .TheSecretariatwillupdatetheClimate Change Action Planasactionsarecompletedandnewclimatechangeactionsareidentified .

the western Climate initiative

Acollaborationofindependentjurisdictionsworkingtogethertoidentify,evaluate,andimplementemissionstradingpoliciestotackleclimatechangeataregionallevel .Thisisacomprehensiveefforttoreducegreenhousegaspollution,spurinvestmentinclean-energytechnologiesthatcreategreenjobsandreducedependenceonimportedoil .

DuringAugustof2012Yukonhosted40participantsfrom8northernregionsattheNorthernForumYouthEcoForum .Theeventbroughttogetheryoungparticipantstodevelopagreaterunderstandingofclimatechange .

1918

list of Citations

Barrand,N .E,&M .JSharp .(2010) .SustainedrapidshrinkageofYukonglacierssincethe1957-1958InternationalGeophysical Year. Geophysical Research Letters,37,5 .

Beasley,E .(2010) .Community flood planning: An assessment of hazard and response in the Dawson City Region, Yukon, Canada.MAdiss .,McGillUniversity .

Bryan,R .,Hinzman,L .D .,&Busey,R .C .(2008) .HistoricchangeinpermafrostdistributioninnorthernBritishColumbiaandsouthernYukon .Ninth International Conference on Permafrost, Extended Abstracts,D .L .KaneandK .M .Hinkel(eds .),Fairbanks,Alaska,June29-July3,2008,p .115-116 .

NaturalResourcesCanada .(2008) .Risk Assessment of the Threat of the Mountain Pine Beetle to Canada’s Boreal and Eastern Pine Forests.PacificForestryCentre,Victoria,BritishColumbia .

EnvironmentCanada .(2010)TrendsandVariations .Retrievedfrom:www .ec .gc .ca/adsc-cmda/default .asp?lang=En&n=77842065-1

Guyot,M .,Dickson,C .,Paci,C .,Furgal,C .&Chan,H .M .(2006) .LocalobservationsofclimatechangeandimpactsontraditionalfoodsecurityintwonorthernAboriginalcommunities .International Journal of Circumpolar Health.65(5):403-415 .

Luthcke,S .B .,Arendt,A .A .,Rowlands,D .D .,McCarthy,J .J .&Larsen,C .F .(2008) .RecentglaciermasschangesintheGulfofAlaskaregionfromGRACEMasconsolutions .Journal of Glaciology54:767-777 .

McCoy,V .M .&Burn,C .R .(2005) .Potentialalterationbyclimatechangeoftheforest-fireregimeintheborealforestofCentralYukonterritory .Arctic58(3):276-285 .

Pollard,W .H .&Lantuit,H .(2008) .FiftyyearsofcoastalerosionandretrogressivethawslumpactivityonHerschelIsland,SouthernBeaufortSea,YukonTerritory,Canada .Geomorphology95:84-102 .

Prowse,T .D .,Furgal,C .,Melling,H .&Smith,S .L .(2009) .ImplicationsofClimateChangeforNorthernCanada:ThePhysicalEnvironment .Ambio38(5):266-271 .

Purves,M .(2006) .Privatecorrespondencefromtheauthor .ClimateChangeintheYukon,SomeObservations .YukonWeatherCentreRet’d,InternalReportYWC-06-109 .

goal #1 - enhanCe knowledge and understanding of Climate Change

OO EstablishaResearchCentreofExcellence

OO Establishclimatechangeresearchstudyareas

OO Developclimatescenarios

goal #2 - adaPt to Climate Change

OO CompleteaYukoninfrastructureriskandvulnerabilityassessmentanddetermineadaptationstrategiesinresponse

OO Developaninventoryofpermafrostinformationforuseindecisionmaking

OO CompleteaYukonwaterresourcesriskandvulnerabilityassessment

OO Createatooltofacilitatethecollectionanddistributionofwaterquantityandqualitydata

OO ConductaYukonforesthealthriskassessment

OO Conducttreatmentstoreduceforestfuelloadsandprotectcommunities

OO ConductaYukonforesttreespeciesandvulnerabilityassessment

STATuS of Yu kon GovernMenT CLIMATe CHAnGe PrIorITY ACTIonS

O Actioniscomplete O Actionison-trackandcontinuing O Actionisunderdevelopment

goal #3 - reduCe our greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions

OO Yukongovernment’sinternaloperations:ü capGHGemissionin2010ü reduceGHGemissionby20percentby2015andü becomecarbonneutralby2020

OO ReportonYukongovernmentoperationsthrough‘TheClimateRegistry’

OO Developacarbonoffsetpolicyforinternaloperations

OO Incorporateenvironmentalperformanceconsiderationsinthegovernment’sprocurementdecisions

OO Government-fundednewresidentialconstructiontomeetGreenHomeenergyefficiencystandards

OO Government-fundedcommercialandinstitutionalconstructionandrenovationwillmeetorexceedtheLEEDCertifiedStandardforenergyefficiency

OO Improveenergyefficiencyandreducethegreenhousegasemissionsofthegovernment’slightvehiclefleet

OO ImplementanEnvironmentalStewardshipInitiativefortheDepartmentofEducationandYukonschools

OO Establish‘greenactioncommittees’inalldepartments

OO ConductanenergyanalysisofallYukongovernmentbuildingsandcompleteenergysavingretrofits

OO DevelopbestmanagementpracticesforindustrytoreduceGHGemissions

OO Undertakeanextensivestudyofthetransportationsectorandrecommendoptionstoreduceemissions

OO Developincentivesforfuelefficienttransportation

OO Developpilotprojectstodemonstratehomeandcommercialenergyefficiencyandheatingtechnology

OO Improveaccesstohomeenergyevaluationsbyprovidingevaluatortraining

OO Developwoodenergyopportunitiesforresidentialandinstitutionalheating

goal #4 - lead Yukon aCtion in resPonse to Climate Change

OO ForecastpotentialfutureGHGemissionsforYukon

OO WorkwithfederalpartnerstoensurenationalGHGInventoryisaccurateandconsistentforYukon

OO SetaYukon-wideemissionstargetwithintwoyears

OO CreateaClimateChangeSecretariat

OO DeterminethepotentialofaYukoncarboneconomy

OO Incorporateclimatechangeconsiderationsintogovernmentdecisionmaking

OO Createacommunityengagementforumfortakingactiononclimatechange

20

list of Citations

Barrand,N .E,&M .JSharp .(2010) .SustainedrapidshrinkageofYukonglacierssincethe1957-1958InternationalGeophysical Year. Geophysical Research Letters,37,5 .

Beasley,E .(2010) .Community flood planning: An assessment of hazard and response in the Dawson City Region, Yukon, Canada.MAdiss .,McGillUniversity .

Bryan,R .,Hinzman,L .D .,&Busey,R .C .(2008) .HistoricchangeinpermafrostdistributioninnorthernBritishColumbiaandsouthernYukon .Ninth International Conference on Permafrost, Extended Abstracts,D .L .KaneandK .M .Hinkel(eds .),Fairbanks,Alaska,June29-July3,2008,p .115-116 .

NaturalResourcesCanada .(2008) .Risk Assessment of the Threat of the Mountain Pine Beetle to Canada’s Boreal and Eastern Pine Forests.PacificForestryCentre,Victoria,BritishColumbia .

EnvironmentCanada .(2010)TrendsandVariations .Retrievedfrom:www .ec .gc .ca/adsc-cmda/default .asp?lang=En&n=77842065-1

Guyot,M .,Dickson,C .,Paci,C .,Furgal,C .&Chan,H .M .(2006) .LocalobservationsofclimatechangeandimpactsontraditionalfoodsecurityintwonorthernAboriginalcommunities .International Journal of Circumpolar Health.65(5):403-415 .

Luthcke,S .B .,Arendt,A .A .,Rowlands,D .D .,McCarthy,J .J .&Larsen,C .F .(2008) .RecentglaciermasschangesintheGulfofAlaskaregionfromGRACEMasconsolutions .Journal of Glaciology54:767-777 .

McCoy,V .M .&Burn,C .R .(2005) .Potentialalterationbyclimatechangeoftheforest-fireregimeintheborealforestofCentralYukonterritory .Arctic58(3):276-285 .

Pollard,W .H .&Lantuit,H .(2008) .FiftyyearsofcoastalerosionandretrogressivethawslumpactivityonHerschelIsland,SouthernBeaufortSea,YukonTerritory,Canada .Geomorphology95:84-102 .

Prowse,T .D .,Furgal,C .,Melling,H .&Smith,S .L .(2009) .ImplicationsofClimateChangeforNorthernCanada:ThePhysicalEnvironment .Ambio38(5):266-271 .

Purves,M .(2006) .Privatecorrespondencefromtheauthor .ClimateChangeintheYukon,SomeObservations .YukonWeatherCentreRet’d,InternalReportYWC-06-109 .

goal #1 - enhanCe knowledge and understanding of Climate Change

OO EstablishaResearchCentreofExcellence

OO Establishclimatechangeresearchstudyareas

OO Developclimatescenarios

goal #2 - adaPt to Climate Change

OO CompleteaYukoninfrastructureriskandvulnerabilityassessmentanddetermineadaptationstrategiesinresponse

OO Developaninventoryofpermafrostinformationforuseindecisionmaking

OO CompleteaYukonwaterresourcesriskandvulnerabilityassessment

OO Createatooltofacilitatethecollectionanddistributionofwaterquantityandqualitydata

OO ConductaYukonforesthealthriskassessment

OO Conducttreatmentstoreduceforestfuelloadsandprotectcommunities

OO ConductaYukonforesttreespeciesandvulnerabilityassessment

STATuS of Yu kon GovernMenT CLIMATe CHAnGe PrIorITY ACTIonS

O Actioniscomplete O Actionison-trackandcontinuing O Actionisunderdevelopment

goal #3 - reduCe our greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions

OO Yukongovernment’sinternaloperations:ü capGHGemissionin2010ü reduceGHGemissionby20percentby2015andü becomecarbonneutralby2020

OO ReportonYukongovernmentoperationsthrough‘TheClimateRegistry’

OO Developacarbonoffsetpolicyforinternaloperations

OO Incorporateenvironmentalperformanceconsiderationsinthegovernment’sprocurementdecisions

OO Government-fundednewresidentialconstructiontomeetGreenHomeenergyefficiencystandards

OO Government-fundedcommercialandinstitutionalconstructionandrenovationwillmeetorexceedtheLEEDCertifiedStandardforenergyefficiency

OO Improveenergyefficiencyandreducethegreenhousegasemissionsofthegovernment’slightvehiclefleet

OO ImplementanEnvironmentalStewardshipInitiativefortheDepartmentofEducationandYukonschools

OO Establish‘greenactioncommittees’inalldepartments

OO ConductanenergyanalysisofallYukongovernmentbuildingsandcompleteenergysavingretrofits

OO DevelopbestmanagementpracticesforindustrytoreduceGHGemissions

OO Undertakeanextensivestudyofthetransportationsectorandrecommendoptionstoreduceemissions

OO Developincentivesforfuelefficienttransportation

OO Developpilotprojectstodemonstratehomeandcommercialenergyefficiencyandheatingtechnology

OO Improveaccesstohomeenergyevaluationsbyprovidingevaluatortraining

OO Developwoodenergyopportunitiesforresidentialandinstitutionalheating

goal #4 - lead Yukon aCtion in resPonse to Climate Change

OO ForecastpotentialfutureGHGemissionsforYukon

OO WorkwithfederalpartnerstoensurenationalGHGInventoryisaccurateandconsistentforYukon

OO SetaYukon-wideemissionstargetwithintwoyears

OO CreateaClimateChangeSecretariat

OO DeterminethepotentialofaYukoncarboneconomy

OO Incorporateclimatechangeconsiderationsintogovernmentdecisionmaking

OO Createacommunityengagementforumfortakingactiononclimatechange

20

YU KON GOVERNMENTCLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN

PROGRESSREPORT

SEPTEMBER 2012